Microsoft is planning to launch a new purpose-built miniature PC for its Windows 365 cloud service next year. Windows 365 Link is a $349 device that acts like a thin client PC to connect to the cloud and stream a version of Windows 11.

Microsoft is going small with its newest hardware product, a cloud PC that will connect businesses to the company's Windows 365 services. Windows 365 Link, which the company is touting as the "First Cloud PC devices for Windows 365" will cost $349 (why not $365?

Dubbed Windows 365 Link, the new Microsoft device will sell for $349 starting in April 2025, geared for volume purchases by businesses.

“The launch of Microsoft’s Surface devices previously spurred a wave of innovation among other device manufacturers,” said Downes. “Similarly, Windows 365 Link is expected to ignite advancements in the thin client market, which has seen limited hardware innovation in recent years.”

Windows 365 Link is a new lightweight, fanless, and secure device for using Cloud PCs on up to two monitors. It's launching in preview today ahead of its public release in April 2025.

At the Ignite 2024 conference, Microsoft announced some rather unconventional hardware—a mini PC-like device for quick and easy access to Windows 365 in the cloud.

Just as good as Apple at making squat boxes, but this one doesn't do very much Microsoft is having a go at the terminal market with a device purpose-built to connect to Windows 365, imaginatively named "Windows 365 Link.

Microsoft is announcing some new hardware today, but it’s a bit different from a typical Surface device. The Windows 365 Link, which launches in April for $349, is a mini desktop PC that exists exclusively to connect to the Windows 365 cloud service rather than running Windows locally.

The new Windows 365 Link is a business-focused mini PC able to give users their classic Windows desktop experience on a cloud PC, with everything hosted in Azure, in an easy to deploy and manage low-footprint device.

The $349 'Link' device features no local apps or data storage. Instead, it's designed to run Microsoft's Windows 365 and services from the cloud.

Accessing and securing the cloud is a necessity for companies and Microsoft has taken another step by announcing the Windows 365 Link device. According to Microsoft, "it enables desk-based users to work securely on a familiar Windows desktop in the Microsoft Cloud with responsive,