A thin client computer system is based on a simple concept that dates back to the early years of computer technologies. At one time, computer systems were developed under the accepted position that multiple users could share the power of a single computer, interacting with it via terminals. While the concept for these systems has been around a few years, the technology is complex. Yet, the typical computer user may never see the difference.

On a thin client system, the server's processing power is divided into individual user sessions on the server, and only screen information is transmitted over the network to local computers. Users still interact with the system – via a familiar operating system – using their keyboard, mouse and monitor, but on a thin client system, workstations no longer must be so robust.

Processing, memory and storage all occur at the server level, and all applications – including operating systems, the Internet, and email – run from these servers as opposed to the workstation. Thus, smaller, less complex and more cost efficient computers can be used as workstations without a loss of quality. And since these computers are required to do less, they maintain much longer life spans.