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Microsoft is taking on the Mac Mini with its own Windows mini PC version that doesn’t need powerful hardware.
Microsoft has its own Mac Mini alternative out in the market
Apple launched the power M4 Mac Mini version recently and now Microsoft has pulled a rabbit out of its mini PC bag in the form of Windows 365 Link. This is a Windows-powered device that runs on the cloud, which means you don’t need physical storage in the PC and can rely on Microsoft’s server to bring Windows to the big screen.
The Windows 365 Link doesn’t win any awards for its design and it mostly has to do with the functional purpose of the device, which the company hopes will appeal to a wide range of consumers.
Windows 365 Link: The Ideal Mac Mini Rival?
In many ways, including the form factor, the answer is yes, this is Microsoft’s rival to the Mac Mini lineup. It runs on the cloud but that doesn’t mean the mini PC doesn’t need hardware under the hood to keep the apps doing their job. The Windows 365 Link is rumoured to be powered by an Intel processor with 8GB RAM and the basic 64GB storage.
Microsoft will most likely ensure the mini PC can power its cloud-based Windows version but not as powerful as the M4 Mac Mini. For connectivity, it has two USB 3.2 ports, and a single USB C 3.2 port at the back. There is a DisplayPort and HDMI port to let you connect the mini PC to an external monitor.
Unlike the Mac Mini from Apple, Microsoft’s focus with the Windows 365 Link is the business segment, where it has the room to get companies to invest in a reliable machine that doesn’t take space on their tables. Microsoft knows that a cloud-based machine will not appeal to the consumers, especially when they have a powerful M4 Mac Mini available at a reasonable price.
Having said that, the $349 (Rs 29,800 approx) price tag of Windows 365 Link gives the company the scope to change its strategy in the near future and maybe then we might see how it fares in the market. The Windows 365 Link will be available in 2025 and you can try out the preview version for now.
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