Last year, Microsoft introduced a novel addition to its lineup: the Windows 365 Link, a compact mini PC that diverges from traditional expectations. Unlike typical mini PCs, this device operates as a thin client, designed to stream Windows 11 directly from the cloud. Locally, it runs a streamlined version of Windows, specifically tailored to connect users to a Windows 365 PC configured by their employer.
Innovative Design and Functionality
The Windows 365 Link marks the inception of a new category of Windows 365 PCs. Microsoft is gradually redefining what a Windows PC can be, moving away from the conventional model of running applications locally. Instead, this device delivers the Windows experience through internet streaming and remote desktop protocol.
Recent images of the Windows 365 Link have surfaced, indicating that the device is nearing general availability. Currently, it is undergoing private testing with select Windows 365 customers, with a broader release anticipated in April.
(Image credit: @AdamGrossTX on X)
The images reveal the diminutive size of the Windows 365 Link, which can easily be held in one hand. Constructed from plastic, similar to the Windows Dev Kit 2023, it features a variety of ports: a USB-A port and a 3.5mm audio jack on the front, two additional USB-A ports on the back, along with a USB-C port, ethernet, DisplayPort, and HDMI.
Internally, the Windows 365 Link is powered by a low-end Intel N250 processor, accompanied by 8GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. While these specifications might seem underwhelming for a conventional PC, they are adequate for a device that does not run applications locally, ensuring a seamless user experience.
These modest specifications also enable Microsoft to position the device competitively in the market. Priced at 9, the Windows 365 Link is significantly more affordable than a Mac mini M4, while potentially offering enhanced capabilities through a high-end cloud PC configuration.
However, it’s important to note that the Windows 365 Link requires an active subscription to a Windows 365 PC to function. Currently, Windows 365 is an enterprise-only service, suggesting that most users will encounter the 365 Link through their workplace. Yet, there is speculation that Microsoft aims to expand Windows 365 into the consumer market in the future. While the timeline for this expansion remains uncertain, it appears that Microsoft is keen on making this transition sooner rather than later.
