The end of support for Windows 7 is around the corner — January 2020 — so the migration to Windows 10 with virtual desktops has begun.
A Windows 10 VDI environment powered by NVIDIA GRID gives users fast performance on applications with full functionality and feature sets. See the difference yourself in this side-by-side video comparing a CPU-only VDI environment to a GPU-enabled one.
Windows 10 is Microsoft’s most graphically intensive operating system to date, with common productivity applications like Office 365, Skype and YouTube requiring GPU acceleration to function properly. Because of this, enterprises face many migration challenges:
- Slow performance due to the increased graphical demands of Windows 10 and modern business applications.
- Compromised user experience with reduced feature sets, and applications that simply won’t launch without a GPU.
- Decline in scalability as fewer users can now be supported per server given that more demands are placed on the CPU.
- Inability to future-proof infrastructure, especially as Microsoft continues to evolve the OS with each subsequent release.
- Increasing cost with more calls to help desks as users struggle with a degraded experience.
These challenges can result in a low acceptance rate for virtual desktops (VDI) and low levels of employee productivity and satisfaction. But it doesn’t have to be this way.
NVIDIA GRID for VDI
NVIDIA GRID extends the power of NVIDIA GPUs to cost-effectively deliver immersive, virtualized Windows 10 workspaces for every user, across any device.
With a GPU, compute and graphics jobs come off the CPU. Users get a better experience and more users can be supported per server, so VDI can be scaled cost effectively. And as Windows 10 and business applications become more graphics intensive, NVIDIA GRID can scale to support future needs.
Kingston University in London is already reaping the benefits of NVIDIA GRID. The university was able to address the graphical requirements of 22,500 students and lecturers worldwide.
“Beyond specialist design and engineering packages, the graphical requirements of productivity applications like Microsoft Windows 10 and Office 2016 will mean NVIDIA GRID is essential to delivering a fantastic virtual learning experience for all our users,” said Simon Harrison, CIO at Kingston University. “The future of our virtual environment is accelerated graphics as standard.”
Learn more about NVIDIA GRID and how it can help deliver a superb Windows 10 VDI user experience. Also listen to our on-demand webcast to learn how you can address the challenges as you migrate to Windows 10 VDI.