<p>Is there any real practical difference between "java -server" and "java -client"?  </p>

<p>All I can find on Sun's site is a vague </p>

<blockquote>
  <p>"-server starts slower but should run faster".  </p>
</blockquote>

<p>What are the real differences?  (Using JDK 1.6.0_07 currently.)</p>

I've not noticed any difference in startup time between the 2, but clocked a very minimal improvement in application performance with "-server" (Solaris server, everyone using SunRays to run the app).  That was under 1.5.