Microsoft introduces PC that has one task: attach customers to their computer systems within the cloud

Microsoft is previewing a untouched PC that’s designed to attach company employees to their methods and information within the cloud.

The Home windows 365 Cloud Hyperlink is to be had in restricted worth within the U.S., Canada and a handful of alternative nations. It’ll be on the market in a couple of markets at $349 in April.

Later years spent failing to break the listing of manage PC producers with its Floor product series, Microsoft is making an attempt one thing untouched in a longtime section of {hardware}.

Early testers have worn the units in name facilities and for hot-desking, the follow of briefly hanging employees in to be had paintings grounds in lieu than having them stick with the similar assigned spots, Jalleen Ringer, product chief for Home windows cloud endpoints, advised CNBC in an interview.

The tool is supposed to be easy and hold. It runs a stripped-down working gadget referred to as Home windows CPC, and not using a native programs or native customers, and has a strict software keep an eye on coverage that may’t be disabled. It robotically downloads updates within the background and installs them at night time.

An Intel chip runs throughout the pc, which comes with 8GB of RAM and 64GB of store. Weighing lower than a pound, the puck-like package deal can also be stored on a table and even fixed at the back of a PC observe.

The leave comes 3 years later Microsoft presented Home windows 365, which supplies workers get entry to to their customized digital desktops on any tool. Desktop virtualization, together with an previous Microsoft product referred to as Azure Digital Desktop, took off later the beginning of the Covid pandemic in 2020, with employees caught at house.

In July 2023, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella stated Azure Digital Desktop and Home windows 365 in combination generated $1 billion in earnings for the primary day within the 2024 fiscal time.

Dell and HP each promote slim consumer PCs that attach to digital desktop infrastructure. Organizations can configure them with Home windows or proprietary working programs.

The Home windows 365 Cloud Hyperlink is a “nice alternative” to slim shoppers, stated Melissa Lend, a senior director of product advertising and marketing at Microsoft.

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