AWS debuts Amazon WorkSpaces Thin Client device for virtual desktop access

[pdntspa]

And we're circling back to these awful thin clients. Man computing is going to suck for worker drones for the next while. WYSE eat your heart out!

[pjmlp]

Cloud based environments have been relatively common in big corps since EC2.

Much easier to manage than procure desktop or laptops for external devs.

[luke-stanley]

I'm not sure they should be promoting this as a device that is suitable for disaster response. They also don't mention the total cost of ownership upfront. Seems like their initial arguement is hinged on the cost of Windows and other licences and they don't really compare themselves to something like Chrome OS.

[fbdab103]

Really chomping into Microsoft's domain here.

$195 / per device + $6/month usage. Which for corporate IT, is probably a bargain vs some depreciating hardware + Microsoft OS + Office licenses + backups/virus/etc.

Edit: Wait, I misread, it is $6 / month + whatever virtual machine is being hosted.

[kyriakos]

Office 365 subscription licences are quite cheap too. With a bare minimum laptop (say 600usd) excel/word/browser work can be done with no issues. Considering that a laptop is also self contained with no need for extra devices (amazon thin client still needs a screen, peripherals attached) it may not be so much better for IT departments.

[shrubble]

So it is basically an upgraded SunRay 3i except it has a few more smarts (probably including a CPU that has hardware encryption like almost all do now) to reach out to AWS to configure itself rather than needing a local DHCP and SunRay Server software.

[bdcravens]

AWS is now entering its Sun era I see.

[pjmlp]

Those of us that started working with UNIX and Novel Netware servers, where all development was done server side, are getting some déjà-vu.

[kevin42]

I hope this becomes available on GovCloud, that would be a game changer for remote workers working with CUI data. For a small business, I wonder if a completely managed, GovCloud based IT infrastructure might make it easier and cheaper to achieve CMMC compliance.

[yesbut]

There is a good use case for WorkSpaces: DR. Having an on-demand desktop for staff in the event of a disaster.

[bdcravens]

WorkSpaces definitely has value. The question is whether AWS-hardware vs commodity computers is better.

https://clients.amazonworkspaces.com/

[luke-stanley]

I would not want to depend on a thin clients network in a disaster, would you?

[retrocryptid]

One more way for Amazon to put a microphone in your home office.