Microsoft unveils Windows 365 Link, a compact desktop PC to compete with Apple's M4 Mac Mini

Microsoft has recently announced its new desktop PC, which has a similar size to the recently released Apple's M4 Mac Mini. But Windows 365 Link will only work online.

In Short

• Microsoft launches Windows 365 Link, a cloud PC device.
• It's similar in size to Apple's M4 Mac Mini but less powerful.
• It is priced at $349 and requires a Windows 365 subscription

Microsoft has introduced its first ever cloud PC device-- Windows 365 Link. The key highlight of the device is that it is the same dimension as Apple's M4 Mac Mini, launched last week. While the size is comparable, the features of the Windows 365 Link are relatively light. It’s a compact black box with several ports on the back, but the internal components of the two computers are vastly different. The main function of the Windows 365 Link is that it exclusively works only on the cloud, but the Mac Mini is a fully functional computer.

Microsoft envisions the Windows 365 Link as a perfect fit for corporate users. Instead of investing in bulky and costly hardware, this ultra-compact and budget-friendly device relies on an internet connection to stream Windows from a more powerful computer in the cloud. Essentially, it’s designed to serve as a terminal for running cloud-based virtual machines.

Details about its technical specifications remain sparse. The speculations are that the Windows 365 Link features 8GB RAM, 64GB storage, and an Intel processor. Although, the specifics haven’t been disclosed yet. However, the hardware’s capabilities are secondary, since its primary function is to deliver a cloud-powered computing experience.

On the back, the Windows 365 Link has a USB-C port along with two USB-A ports, DisplayPort, HDMI, and Ethernet. It’s also equipped with Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 for wireless connectivity.

Microsoft's Windows 365 Link will be available next year, and it will cost $349. It also requires a Windows 365 subscription, which starts at $28 per month. Comparing it to Apple's M4 Mac Mini, it costs only $250 more but has much better hardware. Starting at Rs 59,900 in India, the Mac mini M4 and M4 Pro models are available in India now.

Windows 365 Link features

The Windows 365 Link is built with security at its core, leveraging Microsoft’s extensive experience in securing Windows and Xbox systems against hackers. The device runs only a minimal operating system designed to quickly and safely connect users to a Windows 365 cloud PC. It doesn’t support running local applications.

The Link device is designed for efficiency, booting up in seconds, resuming instantly from sleep, and utilizing dedicated chips to handle video processing for platforms like Microsoft Teams and Cisco Webex. Additionally, it will join Microsoft’s Copilot Plus lineup, a brand previously exclusive to certain laptops.

Pavan Davuluri, Microsoft’s head of Windows and Surface, mentioned to *The Verge* that as the Cloud PC category evolves, Microsoft plans to expand its offerings and collaborate with OEM partners by 2025. This suggests that other manufacturers will also produce Windows 365 Link devices in the future.