Red Hat Enterprise Linux WS (“workstation”) is the high end desktop/client member of the Red Hat Enterprise Linux family. Red Hat Enterprise Linux WS supports 1 - 2 CPU 32bit and 64bit Intel and AMD systems (x86, EM64T, Itanium2, and AMD64), and is ideal for “power user,” software development, and technical applications such as virtualization/rendering (CAD/CAM, EDA, etc.). It includes a full suite of desktop productivity applications for tasks such as document creation, email, instant messaging, and web browsing.

Red Hat Enterprise Linux WS is usually the most cost effective Enterprise Linux product for use in High Performance Computing (HPC) environments. In these environments it is deployed in a headless workstation mode without a monitor, keyboard or mouse. A few common HP Created packages are included in the Enterprise Linux family such as PVM and LAM.

Red Hat Desktop is the high volume desktop/client member of the Red Hat Enterprise Linux family. It supports 32bit Intel x86 and 64bit Intel EM64T and AMD64 systems with one CPU and up to 4 GB of main memory. It provides the same software functionality as Red Hat Enterprise Linux WS but for smaller systems and at a lower price point. Red Hat Desktop is provided in multiunit packages bundled with a Red Hat Network (RHN) Proxy or Satellite Server. The RHN server is used to efficiently perform desktop management functions such as the installation of updates and security patches.