Dumb terminal

In computing, a Dumb Terminal (sometimes called Thin Client), refers to a computer that has no independent processing power, but instead relies on the power of other computer(s) or resources that it is connected to via a network. Dumb terminals are most commonly found in large organizations with the need to process immense numbers of data transactions, such as financial institutions. They generally are capable of inputting and receiving information from a database or network resource that it is connected to, but otherwise have no processing power or capabilities. The use of Dumb Terminals on corporate mainframes was common in the 1970's and 80's, but since then has largely been replaced by terminal emulation and virtualization.