So many services these days, even full-fledged apps, live in the cloud, so it’s natural to consider a cloud-first device – with that in mind, Microsoft’s new Windows 365 link is fairly self-explanatory.
It is a device that is purpose-built to connect to Windows 365. The advantage is that it allows businesses to use “hot desks” where an employee can sit down, log in, and get the same Windows desktop they used yesterday – even if they’re on the go. Were tomorrow another desk or another building. It can be used on the go or even at home.
The Link can drive two 4K monitors and the necessary network connections are handled by a Gigabit Ethernet port or Wi-Fi 6E. You can attach peripherals to the device with four USB ports (three USB-A 3.2 and one USB-C 3.2). By the way, the display connections are an HDMI and a DisplayPort.
There is a 3.5mm headphone jack if the monitor doesn’t have one (or speakers, although they may not be ideal for an office environment). Additionally, Bluetooth 5.3 can be used.
windows 365 link
There’s a little compute power onboard, which is used for video decoding and encoding – both of which are essential for video calls.
Security is a key element for this device. It runs a locked-down OS and has no local apps, no local admin users, not even any data stored locally on the device. This leaves very little time to hack or infect or steal.
Secure login is just as important – Windows 365 Link supports passwordless authentication using Microsoft Entra ID as well as a cross-device passkey using the Microsoft Authenticator app, QR code, or FIDO USB security key.
Secure Login • Remote Management
This is primarily for businesses that will run hundreds or thousands of links. Therefore, capable fleet management functionality is essential and is handled by Microsoft Intune.
Here’s a little more about the device. It measures 120 x 120 x 30 mm (4.72” x 4.72” x 1.18”). As far as we can tell, there’s no VESA mount. The device is completely passively cooled, no fan. There’s metal to dissipate heat – and it’s green. The top-shield is made of 90% pre-consumer recycled aluminum alloy and the bottom plate is 100% pre-consumer recycled aluminum. The motherboard uses 100% recycled copper and 96% recycled tin.
Windows 365 Link will be available in preview first (you can join the program until December 15), with wider availability scheduled for the first half of 2025. It will be available in the US, Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand in April. Zealand and Japan in first place.
Windows 365 Link costs $350. You need a Windows 365 Enterprise, Frontline, or Business subscription. Windows 365 is not government supported.
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