At the Microsoft Ignite 2024 event, the company surprised us with the presentation of a new device called Windows 365 Link, a compact device that, at first glance, seems to want to compete with Apple’s iconic Mac mini. Although Microsoft’s proposal has a diametrically opposite approach, its focus on cloud computing is truly interesting.
Windows 365 Link: Limited in local capabilities, ready for the cloud
The Windows 365 Link is a small black device with a design reminiscent of the Mac mini, although its capabilities are radically different. While the Mac mini offers us a complete computer with a local operating system and the powerful M4 or M4 Pro chips, the Windows 365 Link completely depends on an internet connection to function. As reported by The Verge, it is designed to stream a desktop from the cloud, leaving more demanding tasks to remote servers.
In terms of specifications, this device features 8 GB of RAM, 64 GB of storage, and an unspecified Intel processor. The internal hardware is not designed for complex tasks, but to connect us to the Windows 365 cloud computing service, where all the necessary power is available.
Microsoft presents it as an economical and practical solution for businesses, especially those looking to manage their IT infrastructure centrally, but it is not a traditional computer. In terms of connectivity, the Windows 365 Link includes several ports, such as USB-C, USB-A, HDMI, DisplayPort, and Ethernet, in addition to Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3.
A true competitor for the Mac mini? It doesn’t strive to be
Comparing the Windows 365 Link with the Mac mini is inevitable, but also unfair. While the Mac mini is a standalone computer, capable of handling both basic tasks and complex workflows thanks to the power of the M4 chips, Microsoft’s device cannot function without a constant internet connection.
Price is also an important factor in this comparison. With an initial cost of $349 for the hardware and $28 monthly for the Windows 365 subscription, Microsoft’s proposal is just $250 away from the price of a basic Mac mini, which will not have additional fees.
Microsoft’s commitment to a fully cloud-based approach raises important questions. The system promises advantages such as increased security—by keeping all data on remote servers instead of on the device—but it also means that the Windows 365 Link becomes unusable without internet access.
That said, the presentation of the Windows 365 Link brings a very interesting idea, although it is not intended for the same audience as the Mac mini. While it’s easy to see headlines playing with the similarity in design and size, Microsoft’s proposal focuses on corporate users with very specific needs, whereas the Mac mini is somewhat more versatile, for the general user.
Time will tell if Microsoft manages to position its device in the market, but in the meantime, we have another player in the desktop computer landscape—although its small size, in both cases, might even confuse us. An interesting bet by Microsoft that, although diametrically opposed to the Mac mini, will have its audience.
