“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.”

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.

Microsoft has introduced its latest innovation, the Windows 365 Link, designed to deliver fast and secure access to Cloud PCs via Windows 365.

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 $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,

The Windows 365 Link is a plain black plastic box with a Windows logo imprinted on the top—it looks like a smaller, squarer version of the Windows Dev Kit 2023, an Arm desktop that Microsoft released for developers a couple of years ago.

Microsoft on Tuesday debuted Windows 365 Link, a tiny $350 computer that will go on sale in April and runs the OS and all applications from the cloud. Why it matters: The new computer is designed for businesses who want devices that are more secure and easier to manage.

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.