What is a major feature of desktop virtualization regarding client devices?

Desktop virtualization allows users to run virtual desktops hosted on a centralized server while accessing them through client devices. A major feature is that it relies on thin clients, which are lightweight devices designed primarily for accessing virtualized environments. Thin clients do not require powerful hardware or extensive software installations since most of the processing and storage occur on the server. This makes them cost-effective and less prone to hardware failures.

By utilizing thin clients, organizations can streamline their IT management processes and reduce overhead costs associated with maintaining powerful desktop machines for each user. In this setup, the actual computing resources are efficiently pooled in the server environment, leading to easier management, better security, and seamless scalability for the organization.

This structure stands in contrast to other options that suggest extensive software is needed or that client devices must be high-powered, which are not typical characteristics of a desktop virtualization environment. Additionally, while the independence from the network is a notable trait of certain computing models, desktop virtualization fundamentally relies on network connectivity to access the server where the virtual desktops reside.