rich client

Also called fat client or thick client. A rich client is a way of deploying a client/server application such that the client performs most of the processing itself rather than depending on the server facilities. All users have to install and maintain their own copy of the program but may be able to do useful work when disconnected from the server. User response can be quicker and more intelligent due to application state existing locally (“model” as well as “view”). See also thin client.