The market for thin client is more open than it was three or more years ago and a lot of us are unsure which thin client to use in our virtual desktop infrastructure. We are also unaware of the options available to us. Based on the feedback from a previous article – Panologic vs. Wyse I have collated a list of thin client manufactures/suppliers. I hope list will act as a thin client guide or somewhere for you to start on your road to VDI (virtual desktop infrastructure) implementation.

Among the systems listed here you can choose from well-know operating systems or proprietary with their own management software. They work with well know protocols e.g. RDP and PXE boot. Some offer added functionality such as wireless. As standard, you will get USB, Ethernet and Audio. There are also zero clients among the list.
1. DevonIT
Devonit is a hardware and software solution company specializing in thin-client terminals and ultra-secure remote access solutions for enterprise users. The Devonit thin client range: SafeBook® LVO, TC10/CP20, TC5 (Intel Atom base processor) and TC2. The systems vary in OS and software features you can get: DeTOS – operating system, Windows XPe, PXE Boot and Citrix Provisioning Server.

2. Wyse
Wyse has been around for years and is will know for its thin client solutions. Over the last few years, Wyse have added more products to their thin computing range especially with the popularity of virtualization and VDI. The Wyse thin computing range is very extensive:

Wyse R Class: R50L, R50LE, R90L, R90LE, R00L and R00LE.
Wyse V Class: V10L, V10l Dual-DVI, V30L, V30LE, V50L, V50LE, V90L, V90LE, V00L and V00LE.
Wyse S Class: S10, S30, S50 and S90.

The OSs you can get with these different systems are Wyse Thin OS (WTOS), Windows XPe, Linux, CE and there the Zero clients. There is the Wyse Desktop Appliance – Viance developed specifically for Citrix XenDesktop.

3. Panologic
The Pano Logic team was one of the first to announce a zero thin client – there is no OS like Windows or Linux installed and there is no moving part. Unlike the other systems that are featured here, Panologic only sells one device – Pano. The virtual desktop service is delivered using their trademark protocol - Console Direct. According to Panologic the Console Direct “technology is the first native VDI protocol that allows a virtual desktop to use native audio, video, and USB device interfaces to deliver a superior Windows desktop multimedia experience over the network including improved video playing with reduced tearing and other artifacts and tighter synchronization between video and accompanying audio tracks.”

4. Ncomputing
Ncomputing has a slightly different approach to desktop virtualization and thin computing. Their solution allows users to connect their keyboards, monitors, mice, and speakers to the shared computer.

The models available are: X-series: X300 and X50; L-series: L130 and L230
Ncomputing said they have sold over 1 million seats in the last two years. I can see a lot of business and educational institution buying these devices; it is simple, affordable and cost effective.

5. IGEL
The IGEL Universal Desktop systems have been around a while now but have just come to my attention a few months ago. The IGEL architecture comes with three options: OS choice, Digital Service Packs option and the hardware series option.
For the OS options, you can have: IGEL Linux, Microsoft Windows Embedded Standard 2009 and Microsoft Windows Embedded CE 6.0.

Digital Service Packs are: Entry, Standard and Advanced level. The different service pack levels will determine the different applications you are able to work with and how you can work with them. E.g in the advance service pack you have to applications such as, Flash, VoIP (Linux only), a native SAP GUI, NoMachine NX and ThinLinc printing.

The hardware series are: UD2, UD3, UD5, UD7, and UD9.

6. HP
HP entered this list with eight different thin clients to choose from. As operating systems you have a choice of HP thinConnect, Windows Embedded CE 6.0, ThinPro Plus, Windows XP Embedded.

7. Thinspace
Thinspace is a UK base company that specializes in thin client computing solutions for the corporate desktop and Digital Signage. The thinspace thin clients come in six different ranges: TST200, TST450, TST500, TST600 and TST700. Thinspace also supply a thin client management software with their Thinspace hardware.

8. NEC
NEC has been around for a long time and is one those companies that quietly produce without a lot of fanfare. I think to some people NEC appearing in this list is a surprise but yes they do supply thin clients. The NEC thin computing solution comes in the NEC Quovio range (Quovio D180, Quovio D380, Quovio TCM270 and Quovio TCM380). The Quovio D series are desktop unites and the Quovio TC series are laptop look-a-like for the mobile user.

9. Fujitsu-Siemens
Fujitsu-Siemens is known for its enterprise computing solutions so there is no doubt that they would not be in this list. The Fujitsu thin client solutions comes in two series; FUTRO A series and FUTRO S series. You have a choice between their specially developed eLux® RL - Embedded Linux and other well known operation systems like Microsoft Windows.
Related: 6 Steps to a Successful Virtual Desktop Implementation