Tuesday, November 19th 2024
Microsoft is Introducing a $349 Mini PC That Streams Windows 11 from the Cloud
Microsoft is introducing Windows 365 Link, a compact cloud PC for business users. The device costs $349 and measures just 120 x 120 x 30 mm, making it smaller than Apple's Mac mini. The compact size comes from the fanless cooling design and the fact that the device doesn't have local storage capabilities. This small computer has quite a variety of connectivity options, including one USB-C, three USB-A ports, HDMI, DisplayPort, and Ethernet connections, supports two 4K monitors, and has Bluetooth 5.3 and Wi-Fi 6E wireless capabilities. The specific hardware details are not yet revealed by Microsoft.
It requires Windows 365 with Microsoft Intune and Entra ID, and it works with 365 Frontline, Enterprise, and Business editions. As with other cloud-based solutions, Microsoft will lock some of the security options, "features like Secure Boot, the dedicated Trusted Platform Module, Hypervisor Code Integrity, BitLocker encryption, and the Microsoft Defender for Endpoint detection and response sensor can't be turned off, further helping to secure the device". Microsoft plans to launch the device in April 2025, with early previews in the US, Canada, UK, Germany, Japan, Australia and New Zealand. Businesses interested in testing the device can contact their Microsoft account team before December 15, 2024, to join the preview program.
With Windows 365 Link, Microsoft is getting one step closer to its intention to make Windows available anytime, anywhere from the Cloud as a subscription service, similar to what Adobe did years ago.
Source:
Microsoft
It requires Windows 365 with Microsoft Intune and Entra ID, and it works with 365 Frontline, Enterprise, and Business editions. As with other cloud-based solutions, Microsoft will lock some of the security options, "features like Secure Boot, the dedicated Trusted Platform Module, Hypervisor Code Integrity, BitLocker encryption, and the Microsoft Defender for Endpoint detection and response sensor can't be turned off, further helping to secure the device". Microsoft plans to launch the device in April 2025, with early previews in the US, Canada, UK, Germany, Japan, Australia and New Zealand. Businesses interested in testing the device can contact their Microsoft account team before December 15, 2024, to join the preview program.
106 Comments on Microsoft is Introducing a $349 Mini PC That Streams Windows 11 from the Cloud
But it is not meant for everyone, nor is it the "default" go to for most places.There's quite a difference between a "case study", a "research paper" (what you seem to be implying), and even "whitepapers".And yet I doubt good IT admins exist in most places. In the same vein of your idea, a good IT admin would be able to deploy a VDI solution properly.
The problem with this kind of tech deployment is it's very limited usefulness. The product being promoted by microsoft in the above article is an attempt to popularize something that does not and can not work well for a wider audience.Irony. Look in mirror when you say such things because that's the only resolution.