Microsoft is set to launch a new mini-PC designed specifically for its cloud service, Windows 365. The Windows 365 Link is a $349 device that functions as a thin client, connecting to the cloud and delivering a version of Windows 11 to your screen.
The Windows 365 Link features a compact design and operates without a fan. It is user-friendly and intended for connecting to your local monitors and peripherals. This device is made for Microsoft's Windows 365 service, which allows companies to shift employees to virtual machines in the cloud, enabling secure access from various devices.
The Windows 365 Link offers high security. It runs only a lightweight operating system locally, designed for quick and safe access to the Windows 365 cloud PC.
The Link boots up in seconds, can instantly wake from sleep mode, and utilizes its own chips for video processing for Microsoft Teams or Cisco Webex. Microsoft has not yet disclosed the exact specifications of the Windows 365 Link; however, the internal components are not critical, as the device is designed as a portal to a more powerful cloud PC.
Specifications of Windows 365 Link:
- Rear ports: 2 USB-A 3.2 ports, 1 USB-C 3.2 port, DisplayPort, HDMI, Ethernet.
- Front port: 1 USB-A 3.2 port.
- Wireless connectivity: Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3.
The operating system on the Link requires minimal administration and can be easily integrated into Microsoft Intune with minimal configurations.
It is noted that Windows 365 Link is an ideal option for companies already using Windows 365, especially as a hot-desking PC, allowing multiple users to share a single device to connect to their own cloud PCs.
Microsoft won’t be the sole manufacturer of the Windows 365 Link. The company plans to expand its collaboration with OEM partners in 2025.
This Link device will also be considered one of the devices under the Microsoft Copilot Plus brand, which has so far only been associated with its own line of Copilot Plus laptops.
“We are working to bring the capabilities of Copilot Plus and features that defined Copilot Plus PCs to Windows 365 instances in the cloud,” the company explains.
Currently, Windows 365 Link is in preview mode and will become available in select markets at a price of $349 in April 2025.
Source: The Verge
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