The Best Replacement for IGEL UD2 and UD3 Thin Clients in 2025
August 21, 2025
If your organization is still relying on legacy IGEL UD2 or UD3 thin clients, now is the time to consider upgrading. IGEL has officially exited the hardware business and shifted its focus entirely to software, leaving IT departments searching for modern thin client alternatives that meet today’s performance, security, and virtualization demands. This pivot was made even more evident with IGEL’s acquisition of Stratodesk, which we analyzed in detail here.
In this post, we’ll cover why the UD2 and UD3 are no longer ideal, what features you should prioritize in a replacement, and why the TCD 1 Series from ThinClient Direct is a leading solution for businesses ready to future-proof their endpoint strategy.
Why It's Time to Replace Your IGEL UD2/UD3 Devices
While the IGEL UD2 and UD3 once served as reliable endpoints for accessing virtual desktops, they have significant limitations in today’s IT environment:
- Limited processing power: Older CPUs and minimal RAM struggle with modern workloads like Microsoft Teams, Zoom, or web-based apps.
- End-of-life hardware: With no new updates or firmware support from IGEL, continued use introduces operational and security risks. These risks are not unique to IGEL devices — Dell Wyse thin clients face similar end-of-life challenges, which we discussed in another detailed guide.
- Security concerns: Many devices lack TPM modules and secure boot capabilities.
- Compatibility issues: They may not support newer versions of IGEL OS or alternative thin client operating systems like Stratodesk or ThinScale.
Organizations continuing to use these endpoints risk degrading user experience, increasing support costs, and not complying with security best practices.
What to Look for in a Modern Thin Client Replacement
Recommended Option: TCD 1 Series by ThinClient Direct
The TCD 1 Series is designed as a high-performance, future-ready thin client line that offers a direct upgrade path from the aging IGEL UD2 and UD3 models.
Key Benefits of the TCD 1 Series:
- Powered by Intel N5105 or N200 processors for significantly improved speed and responsiveness
- Built-in TPM 2.0 and secure boot functionality
- Supports dual 4K monitors and hardware-accelerated video playback
- Upgradeable RAM (up to 16GB) and storage for scalability
- Fully compatible with IGEL OS, Stratodesk, Windows IoT, and major Linux distributions
- Pre-tested with Citrix, Microsoft Azure Virtual Desktop, VMware Horizon, and other leading VDI platforms
Whether running cloud desktops or on-premise virtual environments, the TCD 1 Series delivers enterprise-level performance without traditional desktop PCs’ complexity or high costs. For a deeper dive into thin client strategy and deployment best practices, check out our Ultimate Thin Client Guide (2025).
Try Before You Commit: Free Proof of Concept Units
ThinClient Direct offers qualified IT teams free Proof of Concept (PoC) units. Test the TCD 1 Series within your current environment and experience the upgrade firsthand before purchasing here.
Conclusion: Future-Proof Your Thin Client Infrastructure
With the phase-out of IGEL hardware, it’s critical to invest in modern, secure, and high-performance endpoints that can meet your evolving IT demands. The TCD 1 Series provides:
- A massive leap in performance and responsiveness
- Industry-standard security features
- Compatibility with your preferred VDI/DaaS platforms and OS
- Long-term support and upgradeability
If you’re ready to replace your IGEL UD2 or UD3 thin clients, ThinClient Direct can help you transition seamlessly.
Need Help Planning Your Upgrade? Book a Meeting.
