A method and an apparatus for reducing perceived visual response to user input at a client node are described. The client node remotely executes an application program on a server node wherein all execution of the application program occurs on the server node. The client node transmits user-provided input to the server node, and the user-provided input elicits a response from the server node that is transmitted back to the client node for display. The client node receives the user input to be transmitted to the server node. The client node can obtain the user input through a keyboard or a pointing device. In response to the user input, the client node produces a prediction of a server response to the user input. The client node then displays the prediction. The display of the prediction provides the client user with a faster visual response to the user input than could be obtained from the server node. Upon receiving the server response, the client node displays the server response, overwriting the prediction.