IDC's Worldwide Quarterly Enterprise Client Device Tracker® monitors the worldwide quarterly shipment totals of thin clients and terminal clients. Thin clients are diskless desktop devices that exist only on a network, using a server to download applications and store data. Most traditional thin clients run a local embedded operating system (OS). A growing number of new devices are shipping with no local OS, and we categorize this type of device (often referred to as a "zero client") as a thin client without OS. Thin client devices are often used as part of a client virtualization deployment in companies and institutions of all sizes. Terminal clients are devices without a CPU or an operating system that connects to a PC running a multiuser operating system (such as Microsoft Windows MultiPoint Server 2012).

Technology Coverage


This tracker provides the total market size and vendor share for the following technology areas. Measurements for this tracker are in unit shipments and factory revenue.

Core Coverage

  • Company, vendor, and brand
  • Product category: Terminal client and thin client
  • Product: Standalone, mobile, with LCD, and with CRT
  • Channel group: Direct and indirect
  • Operating system and OS version

Geographic Scope


  • Asia/Pacific (excluding Japan and PRC) (12): Australia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and the rest of APEJC
  • Canada
  • Central and Eastern Europe (region only)
  • Japan
  • Latin America (3): Brazil, Mexico, and the rest of Latin America
  • The Middle East and Africa (region only)
  • PRC
  • United States
  • Western Europe (16): Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom

Data Deliverables


This tracker is delivered on a quarterly basis via a web-based interface for online querying and downloads. Deliverables for this tracker are listed below. For a complete delivery schedule, please contact an IDC sales representative.

  • Preliminary data (region only, for the top 5 global vendors and "others," and units only)
  • Historical data
  • Forecast data

Forecast Coverage


Forecasts for this tracker are updated quarterly and include three years of historical data and two years of quarterly forecasts, plus an additional three years of market projections. Forecasts are available at the worldwide, regional, and country levels. Details of the forecasts included in this tracker are provided below.

Core Forecast Coverage

  • Thin client forecast by standalone, by mobile, and with LCD
  • Thin client forecast by operating system
  • Terminal client forecast

Optional Forecast Add-Ons

  • Channel group (direct versus indirect)
  • Jay Chou

    Research Manager, Worldwide Client Devices Tracker

    Explore My Research
  • Linn Huang

    Research Vice President, Devices & Displays

    Explore My Research
  • Eduardo Ramirez

    Manager, Research Operation Center, Latin America

    Explore My Research
  • Jan Prenosil

    Senior Research Analyst, Systems & Infrastructure Solutions, Czech Republic

    Explore My Research
  • Hiroshi Shibutani

    Senior Market Analyst, Infrastructure & Devices, Research, IDC Japan

    Explore My Research
  • Jacky Xue

    Research Manager

    Explore My Research