What Is a Thin Client and Should Your Business Use One?

If you are equipping a call centre, a school lab or a growing office, someone will eventually suggest thin clients. They promise cheaper desks, easier management and better security. Sometimes that is exactly right. Other times, a business ends up paying for servers, licences and support it did not need.

This guide explains what a thin client is, how it works, how it differs from a normal PC and a zero client, and when a compact refurbished desktop is the more practical choice for a South African small business.

What is a thin client?

Lenovo defines a thin client as a lightweight computer that depends heavily on a server for its computational work. Instead of running Windows and your applications on the device itself, the thin client connects over the network to a server where the apps and data live.

Physically, most thin clients look like a very small desktop box. You connect a monitor, keyboard and mouse, plus a network cable or Wi-Fi. They usually have modest processors, little storage and a slimmed-down operating system whose main job is to connect to the remote desktop.

Major business hardware makers sell dedicated ranges. HP’s current thin client line includes models such as the HP Elite t755, Elite t660 and Pro t550, plus mobile thin clients, with operating system options including HP ThinPro and Windows IoT. Dell’s Wyse range is another well-known line; Dell’s documentation for the Wyse 5070 lists support for ThinOS, ThinLinux and Windows 10 IoT Enterprise.

How does a thin client work?

The thin client sends your keystrokes and mouse movements to the server, and the server sends back screen updates. All the real processing happens in the server room or in the cloud. To the user, it feels like a normal Windows desktop.

There are three common ways businesses provide that remote desktop:

• Session-based desktops (RDS): Microsoft’s Remote Desktop Services overview describes multiple users sharing one Windows Server, each in an isolated session. This is common in call centres and offices running the same few apps.
• Virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI): each user gets a Windows virtual machine on a server, either pooled (reset after use) or personal (keeps changes).
• Cloud desktops: services such as Windows 365 create Cloud PCs hosted by Microsoft, which users can reach from Windows, iOS and Android devices.

Remote Desktop Services can also publish single applications (RemoteApp), so a user sees just one program, such as an accounting package, that behaves like it is installed locally.

Thin client vs thick client vs zero client: what is the difference?

A thick client (also called a fat client) is simply a normal PC or laptop. It runs its own operating system and applications and stores data locally. A zero client goes further than a thin client: according to TechTarget’s definition, it has no local operating system or storage and uses firmware to connect to a remote host, usually over one specific protocol such as PCoIP. Thin clients keep a minimal operating system and support multiple connection types.

What are the pros and cons of thin clients?

Advantages

• Central management: updates and patches are applied once on the server instead of on every desk.
• Security: HP notes that data stays in the data centre rather than on the device, which reduces the risk if a device is lost or stolen.
• Lower energy use per seat: both Lenovo and HP position thin clients as energy efficient.
• Flexibility: users can reach the same desktop from different locations.

Disadvantages

• Network dependence: without a working network connection, a thin client cannot do useful work.
• Server dependence: performance relies on the server and the network. Demanding applications need strong back-end hardware and low latency.
• Higher upfront project cost: servers, storage, licensing and setup can outweigh the savings on desk hardware for a small team.
• Specialist skills: RDS, VDI and cloud desktops need someone who knows how to run them.

When is a refurbished mini PC the better choice?

For most small and medium South African businesses without an in-house server or VDI platform, a compact refurbished desktop is the simpler option. It takes up almost as little desk space as a thin client, runs Windows and your applications locally, and keeps working if the internet drops.

It can also do the thin client job when you need it. Microsoft’s Remote Desktop guidance confirms the device you connect from can run any edition of Windows, so a mini PC can open a remote desktop or cloud PC session and still run local apps. If you later move to Windows 365 or a hosted desktop, the same machines keep working as endpoints.

Device Shop does not sell dedicated thin clients, but our refurbished mini PCs and small form factor desktops fill the same space on the desk. Every one is fully tested, carries a 1-year warranty and ships with genuine Windows Pro, which includes Remote Desktop hosting, BitLocker and Microsoft Entra join for managed fleets.

Should your business use thin clients?

Thin clients make sense when:

• You already run, or are committed to building, an RDS, VDI or cloud desktop environment.
• You have many users doing the same tasks in the same few applications, such as a call centre or training room.
• Keeping data off the desk is a priority for compliance or security.
• You have IT staff or a provider to manage the back end.

Regular PCs usually make more sense when:

• You are a small office with no server room or virtualisation platform.
• Staff use a mix of applications, or need to keep working through network or power outages.
• You want the lowest total cost without new server or subscription commitments.

For more on the case for desktops in the office, read why refurbished desktop PCs are a smart choice for businesses.

For staff who need to work offline or away from the office, a refurbished business laptop runs full Windows applications locally and can still connect to the same remote desktop or virtual environment as your thin clients.

Frequently asked questions

Can a thin client run Windows?

Some can. Many thin clients run Windows IoT editions, such as Windows 10 IoT Enterprise or Windows 11 IoT, while others use lightweight systems like HP ThinPro or Dell ThinOS. Even when Windows is installed locally, a thin client is designed mainly to connect to a remote desktop, not to run heavy applications on its own limited hardware.

Can I use an old PC as a thin client?

Yes. Any Windows PC can connect to a remote desktop or Cloud PC using a Remote Desktop client, so an older or refurbished PC can act as a thin client. Unlike a dedicated thin client, it can also run local apps, which gives you a fallback if the server or network is down.

Do thin clients need internet access?

They need a network connection to reach the server. If the server is on your premises, a local network is enough. If you use cloud desktops such as Windows 365, you need a stable internet connection. Without the relevant connection, a thin client cannot load your desktop or applications.

Are thin clients cheaper than PCs?

The devices themselves can be cheaper, but the full setup often is not. Thin clients need servers, storage, virtualisation or cloud desktop subscriptions, licensing and skilled management. For larger fleets already running VDI, they can lower costs over time. For a small office, refurbished PCs are usually the more affordable route.

Is a mini PC the same as a thin client?

No. A mini PC is a full computer in a small case, with its own processor, memory, storage and full operating system, so it runs applications locally. A thin client has minimal local hardware and relies on a server. A mini PC can act like a thin client by connecting to remote desktops, but not the other way round.

Thin clients are a strong fit for businesses with the server or cloud setup to support them. For everyone else, compact refurbished PCs give you the small footprint without the infrastructure. Browse our refurbished desktop computers or contact us to talk through a bulk order.