IGEL OS v. Windows OS for Digital Workspaces. The Verdict Is In!

We already know that IGEL OS, the next-gen edge OS for cloud workspaces, is highly efficient and requires minimal CPU and memory resources on endpoint devices. But what we had strongly suspected has now been proved true. On key user experience (UX) and performance metrics IGEL OS is better, faster, and stingier* than Windows OS.

A detailed study by RawWorks found that when accessing cloud-delivered digital workspaces, IGEL OS on endpoints offers superior performance when compared to Windows, providing a consistently ‘snappier’ user experience. Intensive video conferencing and graphics use, more important than ever in our consumer-driven culture of widely distributed users, are a more satisfying and streamlined experience using IGEL OS, the report notes.

IGEL OS Delivers a More Robust End-User Experience

RawWorks compared IGEL’s Linux-based edge operating OS for Cloud Workspaces with Windows, running all scenarios on Microsoft Azure in combination with Citrix Cloud. The scenarios were run on three thin client endpoint devices: the HP t640, DELL WYSE 5070, and LENOVO ThinkCentre M625Q.

They recorded people using these two operating system alternatives for Zoom and Teams, to watch videos and to use tools like PowerPoint. These videos were added to performance data and the conclusion is for all tested endpoints, IGEL OS outperforms Windows while delivering a similar or better user experience.

IGEL excelled in the four performance metrics:

• Endpoint CPU usage
• Frames per second (FPS)
• Round trip time (RTT)
• Bandwidth usage

IGEL is Faster and More Efficient

By using less CPU power for graphics and video production tasks, for example, IGEL runs faster and more efficiently. In some cases, the CPU usage when using Windows is more than three times higher than IGEL OS.

Since IGEL is all about delivering the best user experience (UX) at the endpoint, we are especially pleased that we had superior performance with less latency (lower RTT) and a smoother video experience (framerate). IGEL saves customers from suffering through latency during Zoom calls, or videos that are jerky due to poor support of 60 FPS framerate.

Users running a graphics-intensive presentation in PowerPoint on Dell, for example, also will enjoy a higher framerate with considerably lower CPU consumption.

Given that IGEL OS delivers superior endpoint performance that meets users’ demands for a seamless video conferencing and rich multimedia experience, why would anyone choose Windows OS to access their digital workspaces? From the RawWorks testing results, we think that is a very good question to contemplate.

View the complete RawWorks report.

*Less CPU usage with video conferencing