One common example is running data analysis/reduction remotely on a big fast box and then looking at the products on that machine via X11 forwarding. On a fast

One common example is running data analysis/reduction remotely on a big fast box and then looking at the products on that machine via X11 forwarding. On a fast low-latency connection there is hardly any noticeable difference between running the application locally or remotely (it's just another window locally opposed to another window in another desktop in a window).