(1) A high-performance, single-user computer typically used for
graphics, CAD, software development and scientific applications.
A workstation may be a RISC-based computer that runs under some
version of Unix or Linux, the major vendors being Sun, HP, IBM
and SGI. It may also refer to a high-end PC using Intel or AMD
CPUs from any PC vendor. In all cases, the term implies a
machine with a fast CPU and large amounts of memory and disk
that is geared toward the professional user rather than the
consumer.| (2) A terminal or desktop computer in a network. In
this context, workstation is just a generic term for a user's
machine (client machine) in contrast to a "server" or
"mainframe."