How do Full Desktops and Remote App differ?

Full Desktops are like a second computer that you connect to from your own computer- applications are pre-installed and you launch them from the Start menu (ArcGIS, Adobe, Matlab, Office, SPSS, etc.).

Remote Apps are not a full desktop experience - when you launch an App, it appears on your own device as if it is running locally but it is actually running on a remote computer. You never see the desktop, start menu, etc. of the remote computer. You only see the application window.

Generally speaking: Full Desktops are the best option for Students and Faculty who require access to specialized academic software. Remote Apps are the best option for Staff who occassionally need to access administrative software.