What Is PCoIP and Why Does It Matter?
PCoIP (PC-over-IP) is a remote display protocol developed by Teradici (now part of HP) that compresses, encrypts and transmits an entire desktop session from a host workstation or virtual machine to a stateless endpoint device. Unlike protocols that send only screen updates, PCoIP offloads image encoding to dedicated hardware, which is why it is widely used in virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) and remote workstation deployments where colour accuracy, low latency and USB peripheral redirection matter. In a typical setup, a host card or software host runs on the workstation or server, and a zero client or software client runs on the user's desk. Dell has historically offered PCoIP remote access host cards and Teradici PCoIP Workstation Access Software with its Precision workstation line, allowing CAD, engineering and media users to reach a powerful desk-side machine from a quieter, cooler location.
Where Thinvent Fits into a PCoIP Architecture
Thinvent does not manufacture PCoIP host cards, and we make no claims about the status of any other vendor's hardware. What Thinvent builds is the endpoint side of the equation: compact, fanless industrial computers, mini PCs and thin clients that can run PCoIP software clients or sit alongside zero-client deployments as general-purpose managed endpoints. Because our systems are designed for 24x7 duty cycles, they suit the same environments where PCoIP is commonly deployed — design studios, control rooms, hospital imaging suites, trading floors and factory floors — where a sealed, dust-tolerant endpoint is preferable to a full tower PC at every desk.
Choosing an Endpoint for a Remote Workstation Deployment
The endpoint in a PCoIP or VDI rollout does not need to be powerful, but it does need to be reliable, quiet and easy to manage. Key considerations include:
| Requirement | Why It Matters | Typical Thinvent Fit |
|---|---|---|
| Fanless, sealed chassis | Dust, grease and lint kill fan-cooled PCs in industrial settings | Industrial PC and Mini PC ranges |
| Dual display output | PCoIP sessions often span two monitors | 2x HDMI configurations |
| Wired Gigabit Ethernet | Wireless adds jitter to real-time sessions | 1000 Mbps Ethernet, dual-port options |
| Low idle power | Endpoints run all day, every day | Intel low-power processor families |
| Locked-down OS image | Reduces patching and user tampering | Windows 11 Pro, Linux, Without OS |
For lighter task-worker sessions, a 4-core Intel processor with 8 GB of memory is usually sufficient. For users who also run local applications alongside their remote session — or who need multiple browser tabs, softphones and office suites — 16 GB and a 6-core part such as the Intel Core i3-1215U give noticeably more headroom.
Deployment Notes and Practical Tips
When planning endpoints for a PCoIP environment, confirm three things before ordering: the number and type of displays you need, whether USB peripherals (signature pads, card readers, headsets) must be redirected into the session, and whether the endpoint will be managed through a device management platform or left unmanaged. A wired Gigabit connection is strongly recommended over Wi-Fi for any real-time remote desktop protocol. It is also worth standardising on a single endpoint model across a site — spare units can then be swapped in minutes, and imaging or configuration scripts only need to be maintained once. Finally, if your host side is a Dell Precision workstation with a PCoIP host card or Teradici software, the endpoint simply needs a compatible software client and a supported operating system, which is why many integrators choose an endpoint that ships "Without OS" or with Linux so they can install their own client stack.
Thinvent Products Suited to Remote Desktop and VDI Endpoints
Thinvent's Industrial PC and Mini PC families are built around fanless cooling, wide-temperature tolerance and long-life components, making them a practical endpoint choice for PCoIP, VDI and remote workstation rollouts. Configurations range from entry-level Intel Celeron and N-series mini PCs for task workers, through Intel Core i3 and i5 systems such as the IPC3 with i3-1215U (6 cores, up to 4.4 GHz, 10 MB cache) and 16 GB DDR4 for power users, up to all-in-one PCs that integrate the display and endpoint into a single sealed unit. Operating system options include Windows 11 Pro, Windows 11 IoT, Ubuntu Linux, our Thinux embedded Linux and a no-OS option for customers who deploy their own image. Dual HDMI, dual Gigabit Ethernet and multiple USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports are available across the range, and quad DB9 serial variants support industrial equipment alongside the desktop session.
Thinvent Alternatives to Dell
| Dell Wyse 5030 | Thinvent Industrial PC IPC3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Teradici TERA2321 PCoIP | Intel Core i3-1215U (12th gen) |
| Cores/Threads | Zero client (no x86 CPU) | 6 cores |
| RAM (max) | 512MB DDR3 | 16GB |
| Storage | None (no local storage) | 1024GB |
| Form Factor | Compact zero client | Industrial PC |
View these products:
The Dell Wyse 5030 is a purpose-built PCoIP zero client, relying on a dedicated Teradici processor with no local x86 CPU, RAM, or storage for general computing. The Thinvent Industrial PC IPC3 is a full-fledged x86 system with an Intel Core i3-1215U, up to 16GB RAM, and 1TB storage, making it a strong modern alternative for organizations that need local compute capability alongside virtual desktop access. The honest trade-off is that the Wyse 5030 is optimized purely for PCoIP thin-client workloads with minimal power draw, while the IPC3 is a more versatile, higher-performance machine suited to broader industrial and desktop use cases.
