Windows 365 Link: A New Addition to Microsoft’s Ecosystem
The Software King of the World has unveiled its latest offering, the Windows 365 Link, a compact device priced at 9 (£349). This unassuming black box serves as a gateway to Windows Cloud PCs hosted on Azure, promising to streamline access for users within its ecosystem.
Weighing in at a mere 418 grams, the Link is designed to be unobtrusive, easily fitting behind a monitor. Its array of ports includes HDMI, USB-C, three USB-A connections, Ethernet, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi, making it functional for various connectivity needs. However, despite its practicality, it does not break new ground in terms of innovation.
There is a notable limitation to the Link’s functionality: it is exclusively compatible with organizations already entrenched in Microsoft’s ecosystem. To get started, users must have Windows 365 (in its Enterprise, Frontline, or Business versions), Intune, and Microsoft Entra ID. Unfortunately, this means that government users are left out, as Windows 365 Government is not supported.
Microsoft touts the Link’s ability to deliver “high-performance video playback and conferencing,” particularly highlighting its integration with Teams. Yet, beyond this feature, the device essentially functions as a cloud dongle, aimed at easing IT administration while purportedly enhancing security by minimizing the attack surface.
However, the value proposition raises some eyebrows. For instance, the OptiPlex 3000 Thin Client from Grey Box Shifter retails for £287.75 (9) and offers greater flexibility. Even Apple’s Mac Mini, priced at £599 (9), comes with actual hardware, presenting a more tangible alternative.
One of the Link’s few standout features is its speed; it connects to Windows 365 in mere seconds. Yet, considering that users can already access Cloud PCs through a browser or the Windows app, the necessity of this device is questionable.
Currently, the Windows 365 Link is available only through select resellers, including Ricoh UK and Insight Enterprises in the United States. For potential buyers, the decision to invest in a plastic box that replicates the functionality of a browser tab raises important questions about the future of work and whether this is a meaningful advancement or merely another vanity project from Microsoft.
It’s an intriguing moment, especially as Microsoft celebrates 50 years of empowering users with full-fledged PCs, while now encouraging a return to a more simplified, terminal-based approach.
