These days so many services, even full-fledged apps, live in the cloud, so it’s only natural to consider a cloud-first device – with that in mind, Microsoft’s new Windows 365 Link is pretty self-explanatory.
It is a device built specifically for connection Windows 365. The benefit is that it allows companies to use ‘hot desks’ where an employee can sit down, log in and get the same Windows desktop they were using yesterday – even if they were at a different desk or even a different building yesterday. This can be used both on the road and at home.
The Link can drive two 4K monitors and the required network connection is provided by a gigabit Ethernet port or Wi-Fi 6E. You can connect peripherals to the device with the four USB ports (three USB A 3.2 and one USB C 3.2). The display connections are one HDMI and one DisplayPort.
There’s a 3.5mm headphone jack in case the monitors don’t have one (or speakers, although they might not be ideal for an office environment). In addition, Bluetooth 5.3 can be used.
Windows 365 link
There’s a bit of computing power on board, which is used for decoding and encoding video – both of which are needed for video calls.
Security is an important element for this device. It runs on a locked down operating system and there are no local apps, no local administrators, no data even stored locally on the device itself. This leaves little to hack, infect or steal.
Secure login is just as crucial: the Windows 365 Link supports passwordless authentication using Microsoft Entra ID, as well as the Microsoft Authenticator app, a multi-device password using a QR code or a FIDO USB security key.
Secure login • Remote management
This is primarily intended for companies that have hundreds or even thousands of links. So capable fleet management functionality is a must-have and that is handled by Microsoft Intune.
Here’s a little more about the device itself. It measures 120 x 120 x 30 mm (4.72 x 4.72 x 1.18 inches). As far as we know there is no VESA mounting. The device is completely passively cooled, there is no fan. There is metal that spreads the heat – and it is green. The top shield is made of 90% recycled post-consumer aluminum alloy and the bottom plate is 100% pre-consumer recycled aluminum. The motherboard uses 100% recycled copper and 96% recycled tin.
The Windows 365 Link will first be available in preview (you can join the program before December 15). Wide availability is planned for the first half of 2025. It will be available in April in the US, Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand. Zeeland and Japan first.
The Windows 365 Link costs $350. You need a Windows 365 Enterprise, Frontline, or Business subscription. Windows 365 Government is not supported.
