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A virtual workstation is a cloud-based workstation that users can access
from anywhere by using an internet connection. The concept of remote computing
dates back to the 1960s with so-called
dumb terminals.
But a virtual workstation that's built using modern cloud infrastructure is a
powerful, economical alternative to an expensive workstation at the user's desk.
With a virtual workstation, there is no capital expense. You can customize the
size and power of the virtual workstation to the exact specifications required
for a particular task. You only pay for the resources used, when they're used,
and you're billed by the second.
You don't pay for electricity to power the workstation or for the
HVAC
to keep it cool. You also don't have to pay a staff of IT professionals to build
physical workstations, upgrade components, add RAM, or swap out disks; all of
this is managed by Google Cloud.
Choose a virtual workstation
When you create a virtual workstation, you can choose from resource
configurations such as number and type of CPUs, amount of RAM, type and size of
disk, and whether or not to attach GPUs. You can also choose your operating
system, like Windows or Linux.
Your intended workload can help you determine how to build your virtual
workstation. The following table lists options for creating a virtual
workstation.
Workloads that don't require graphics, or have low graphics requirements.
These workstations are useful for migrating legacy business applications to
the cloud. The tutorials for this option use HP Anyware Software to stream
the desktop to a client for viewing.
Workloads that include graphics-intensive applications that require
hardware acceleration, high color accuracy, and support for external
peripherals. The tutorials for this option use Teradici Cloud Access
Software to stream the desktop to a client for viewing.
These workstations are used in industries such as media and entertainment,
architecture, science, and manufacturing.
Workloads for users who need only a low-cost way to access a cloud workstation
from a Chrome browser, or workloads where bandwidth or security limitations
prevent the installation of third-party software.
Create a virtual workstation using Google Cloud Marketplace
If you don't want to build your own virtual workstation using one of the
tutorials listed earlier, you can use a preconfigured virtual workstation
solution on
Cloud Marketplace.
These solutions offer a quick way to create a virtual workstation that has
features like graphics drivers and remote desktop software already installed.
[[["Easy to understand","easyToUnderstand","thumb-up"],["Solved my problem","solvedMyProblem","thumb-up"],["Other","otherUp","thumb-up"]],[["Hard to understand","hardToUnderstand","thumb-down"],["Incorrect information or sample code","incorrectInformationOrSampleCode","thumb-down"],["Missing the information/samples I need","missingTheInformationSamplesINeed","thumb-down"],["Other","otherDown","thumb-down"]],["Last updated 2025-08-26 UTC."],[[["\u003cp\u003eVirtual workstations are cloud-based, accessible from anywhere with an internet connection, offering a modern alternative to traditional physical workstations.\u003c/p\u003e\n"],["\u003cp\u003eUsing a virtual workstation eliminates capital expenses, allowing users to customize resources and pay only for what they use, billed by the second.\u003c/p\u003e\n"],["\u003cp\u003eVirtual workstations remove the need for internal IT staff to build, maintain, and upgrade physical machines, as these tasks are managed by Google Cloud.\u003c/p\u003e\n"],["\u003cp\u003eUsers can select resource configurations for their virtual workstations, including CPUs, RAM, disk type, and the option for GPUs, as well as choosing operating systems like Windows or Linux.\u003c/p\u003e\n"],["\u003cp\u003ePreconfigured virtual workstation solutions, with features like graphics drivers and remote desktop software, are available on Google Cloud Marketplace, providing a quicker setup option.\u003c/p\u003e\n"]]],[],null,["# About creating virtual workstations\n\n*** ** * ** ***\n\nA virtual workstation is a cloud-based workstation that users can access\nfrom anywhere by using an internet connection. The concept of remote computing\ndates back to the 1960s with so-called\n[dumb terminals](https://wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_terminal).\nBut a virtual workstation that's built using modern cloud infrastructure is a\npowerful, economical alternative to an expensive workstation at the user's desk.\n\nWith a virtual workstation, there is no capital expense. You can customize the\nsize and power of the virtual workstation to the exact specifications required\nfor a particular task. You only pay for the resources used, when they're used,\nand you're billed by the second.\n\nYou don't pay for electricity to power the workstation or for the\n[HVAC](https://wikipedia.org/wiki/HVAC)\nto keep it cool. You also don't have to pay a staff of IT professionals to build\nphysical workstations, upgrade components, add RAM, or swap out disks; all of\nthis is managed by Google Cloud.\n\nChoose a virtual workstation\n----------------------------\n\nWhen you create a virtual workstation, you can choose from resource\nconfigurations such as number and type of CPUs, amount of RAM, type and size of\ndisk, and whether or not to attach GPUs. You can also choose your operating\nsystem, like Windows or Linux.\n\nYour intended workload can help you determine how to build your virtual\nworkstation. The following table lists options for creating a virtual\nworkstation.\n\nCreate a virtual workstation using Google Cloud Marketplace\n-----------------------------------------------------------\n\nIf you don't want to build your own virtual workstation using one of the\ntutorials listed earlier, you can use a preconfigured virtual workstation\nsolution on\n[Cloud Marketplace](https://console.cloud.google.com/marketplace).\nThese solutions offer a quick way to create a virtual workstation that has\nfeatures like graphics drivers and remote desktop software already installed."]]
