What Is NComputing?
NComputing is a desktop virtualization company that manufactures hardware and software for creating virtual desktops — often referred to as zero clients or thin clients — which allow multiple users to simultaneously share a single operating system instance. Founded in 2003 and headquartered in San Mateo, California, the company operates offices in the United States, Singapore, the UK, Germany, India, Korea and Poland, with resellers around the world. Its core proposition is simple: instead of deploying a full PC at every desk, organizations run one capable host machine and connect several low-power access devices to it, cutting hardware, power and management costs.
How Desktop Virtualization Works
In a shared-computing deployment, the host system runs the operating system and applications, while each access device handles only display, keyboard, mouse and audio. NComputing's platforms include both software (such as vSpace) and hardware access devices, and they support a range of operating systems. On the Linux side, support has historically centered on select Ubuntu and Debian-based distributions, while on Windows, support covers several desktop and server editions depending on the vSpace release. Session density per host depends on the workload — office productivity and data-entry tasks allow far more concurrent users than graphics-heavy applications.
| Deployment Model | Typical Access Device | Best Suited To |
|---|---|---|
| Shared OS instance (multi-user) | Zero client / thin client | Classrooms, call centers, data entry |
| VDI (per-user virtual machine) | Thin client | Task workers needing isolation |
| Standalone edge computing | Industrial PC / Mini PC | Factory floors, kiosks, branch offices |
Thin Clients vs. Standalone Industrial Computers
Virtual desktop infrastructure is not the only way to deliver a lean endpoint. Many organizations now pair thin clients with centralized servers, while others deploy small standalone systems — mini PCs or fanless industrial computers — that run the OS locally. Standalone units avoid dependence on a host server and network link, which matters in factories, warehouses, retail outlets and remote sites where connectivity is intermittent or where dust, heat and vibration are everyday realities. Fanless designs with wide-temperature tolerance and solid-state storage are particularly well suited to these environments, since they have no moving parts to fail.
Choosing the Right Endpoint
When evaluating any thin-client or multi-user computing strategy, consider processor capability, memory headroom, connectivity and OS flexibility. A modern 6-core processor such as the Intel® Core™ i3-1215U, paired with 16GB DDR4 memory and SSD storage, comfortably handles multi-session hosting or demanding standalone workloads. Dual Gigabit Ethernet ports, multiple HDMI outputs and serial (DB9) ports extend usefulness into industrial control, digital signage and point-of-sale. Support for Windows 11 Pro, Windows 11 IoT, Linux and DOS gives deployment teams the freedom to match the software stack to the task.
Thinvent Products for Thin Client and Virtual Desktop Deployments
Thinvent manufactures a complete range of endpoint hardware for shared-computing and edge deployments, including thin clients, mini PCs, all-in-one PCs and industrial computers. Thinvent's industrial PC range, built around Intel® processors with fanless cooling, 16GB DDR4 memory and high-capacity SSD storage, is designed to run reliably in factories, kiosks and branch offices — whether used as a virtualization host, a standalone workstation or a hardened access device. Options for Windows 11 Professional, Windows 11 IoT, Linux and DOS, along with dual Ethernet, HDMI and serial connectivity, let organizations standardize on a single hardware platform across the whole estate.
