Since late last year, report after report has declared that PC sales are falling because users now prefer tablets and smartphones.
But tablets aren’t the only reason the PC market has been in disarray. Desktop virtualization has also played a behind-the-scenes role — and that’s been bad news for not only PCs, but also for Windows 8.
Virtualization technologies such as virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) have been around since long before the PC market began to decline. Typically, the concept has involved hosting a user’s desktop session on a server, rather than on the user’s local machine. Doing so has allowed companies to save money by avoiding the cost of a full license for each employee, and to improve security by giving IT more control and enabling the use of thin clients.
But thanks to the BYOD and mobility movements, virtual desktops are being harnessed in new ways.