Abstract
Concern over total cost of ownership has prompted, or at least accelerated, the development of several new desktop solutions. They are generically referred to as thin clients or network-centric computers. These umbrella terms embrace two distinct types of desktop device: the network computer and the Windows terminal. This article discusses how thin clients address major issues such as purchase cost, life span, support costs, and total cost of ownership. A list of Internet resources for thin clients and related products is also provided.