Concept of Network Computers

In some situations, a user does not need all the power and features provided by a personal computer. If you want to use only the internet, for example, or if your job involves data entry, then you may not need the processing power, memory, and storage capacity of a fully equipped PC. In this instance a network computer becomes useful. A computer is a less version of a personal computer, with minimal processing power, memory, and storage. Network computers are designed to be connected to a network, a computer intranet, or to the internet. The NC relies on the network for software and data storage and may even use the networks server to perform some processing tasks. In the mid-1990s, the concept of network computers became popular among some PC manufacturers, who pronounced the NC as the future of computing. However, no single NC standard emerged as various hardware and software makers fought to command this new market. As a result, several variations on the network computer quickly became available, and consumers almost immediately became confused about their differences and special purposes. While network computers have gained some market share in business, they have not succeeded to the extent their makers anticipated. In business variations of the network computers are thin clients, diskless workstations, windows terminals, and Net PCs. Some network computers are designed to be connected only to the internet or to an intranet. In home settings some network computers do not even include a monitor; instead, they connect to the user’s television, which serve as the output device.

Many large companies have adopted network computers foe their users because they have a lower total cost of ownership than standard personal computers. NCs are cheaper to purchase, operate, and maintain than normal PCs. Because most users systems are connected to a company network anyway, users can take advantages of the network server’s speed and storage capacity and can often access the internet through the company’s network connection.