Microsoft showed off the Windows 365 Link minicomputer. It has no local storage, everything runs online in the cloud with a Windows 365 subscription. It is supposed to be a safer and better solution for businesses.
Microsoft introduced Windows 365 Link, a compact mini-PC designed exclusively for connecting to Windows 365 Cloud PC. With a price starting at $349, the device is primarily intended for businesses that frequently upgrade their IT equipment. The device does not contain local storage or an operating system with the ability to install applications.
Although the hardware itself is relatively, let’s say cheaper, it is necessary to add the monthly subscription of Windows 365, which ranges from 28 to 315 dollars per user. The most popular configuration with a 4-core CPU, 16 GB of RAM and 128 GB of cloud storage costs $66 per month, which works out to almost $2,000 over two years, including hardware costs. That’s not so little, is it?
Windows 365 Link offers a wide range of connectivity options, USB-A, USB-C, HDMI, DisplayPort and Ethernet ports, and supports the connection of up to two 4K monitors. It also includes Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth and a 3.5 mm jack. The device is designed so that users cannot store data locally or install any applications, primarily for increased security.
For companies with a large number of employees who often change work computers, Windows 365 Link is an interesting solution. It allows quick access to company data and applications, while simplifying IT management and minimizing maintenance costs of classic computers. However, this device does not make much sense for individuals or smaller companies, given its price and limitations. Windows 365 Link will be available from April 2025 and pre-orders are already open in some markets.
Source: pctuning.cz
