Which Citrix Client should to connect to Virtual Desktop with Mac OS X?

This article applys to the following Citrix/Virtual Desktop clients:

Overview

This article was written for those who with to connect to Virtual Desktop using a Macintosh. Specifically, its aim is to help Mac users choose which Citrix client to use to connect to Virtual Desktop, given their needs. The two options are the locally-installed Citrix client for Mac OS X and the Citrix client for Java, which is used in conjuction with the Virtual Desktop Web Interface. The clients are described in detail below. It should be noted that you may still run the Java client if you've installed the Citrix client for Mac OS X. The two clients are not mutually exclusive and you may jump back and forth between the two if you wish.

Citrix Client for Java

This client loads automatically whenever you browse to the Virtual Desktop Web Interface using the Safari browser. It downloads as a Java Applet, which means that you never have to actually install any client on your Mac. When you close the browser, the client goes away.

Pros

No installation necessary
"Seamless Windows" is supported, which means you can dynamically resize the window
The files that make up the Java applet are stored in the Java cache so subsequent launches will be faster
Automatically maps a drive to your home directory on your Mac's local hard drive for easy file access
Works in conjunction with the Virtual Desktop Web Interface so no icons need to be manually created
When a new version of the Java client is released, it is updated on the server, not on your Mac

Cons

Printers are not automatically created and instead must be manually configured
The popup blocker in the Safari browser must be disabled for the client to load
Printing to a USB printer that is connected directly to your Mac is not possible

Summary

The Citrix client for Java does most everything that the locally installed client does automatically, except create printers. This must be done manually. If you are an occasional user and don't need the ability to print, the Java client would be the easiest to use.

For a more detailed description of the Citrix client for Java, click here.

Citrix Client for Mac OS X

The locally installed Citrix client for Mac OS X has recently been updated to add "seamless windows" and improved performance. The features described in this section assume version 10 or later. If you are using an older client, it is strongly recommended that you upgrade to the new version.

Pros

"Seamless windows" is now supported (as of version 10)
You can launch applications directly from an icon on your desktop
Printers are automatically created
Automatically maps a drive to your home directory on your Mac's local hard drive for easy file access

Cons

The Citrix client for Mac OS X must be downloaded and installed unlike the Java client
You must configure individual icons for each application using the Citrix Client Editor that is included in the download

Summary

If you will be using Virtual Desktop to connect to just a few applications on a regular basis then the Citrix client for Mac OS X might be easier for you, once you get your icons configured.

For a more detailed description of the Citrix client for Mac OS X, click here.

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Last Updated: 04/24/2008