Networks

Thin clients were all the rage.

For an environment like a hospital or a rental-car counter, where there are typically locked-down computers where users cannot add applications, thin clients are ideal. Or, if it's a company with 1,000 workstations, the centralized control and support of virtual clients will really save money and time.

If the environment is a small number of users, it does not make sense. The problem is that in order to have fast and reliable thin-client or virtual machines, you need both a high-performance server to host it ($$) and you also need a fast reliable network (e.g. Cisco Gigabit switches) $$$. in this example the clients may only cost you $500 each versus $800 for a PC, but you have spent another $5000 on the network and $5000 on the server....thus there is no cost savings.

AND, the first time the boss wants to install a new app or listen to her music CD on the workstation, the answer is "you cannot get there from here"

Admin cost are lower by administring one instance of an operating system and distributing it to all thin clients, also all users are backed up at the server.

A high performance thin client is going to cost you the same amount OR MORE as ultra small form factor PC. If you opt for thin client's with embedded OS, you will be at the mercy of the proprietary management software. Instead consider creating a master image using Altiris or some other deployment solution and pushing the same image to the new work stations. Since the server administration and hardware costs are inevitable, you should pursue an option that adds a little flexibility for the future. With thin clients, there is VERY little flexibility.

Thank you so much for the advice everyone helped allot