Windows 365 is Now Available (With Pricing Info)
After much speculation, Microsoft’s new Desktop as a Service (DaaS) offering is now live and available to business consumers. Dubbed as “Windows 365”, the virtualized version of the popular operating system allows users to access a “PC on the cloud” from a myriad of devices such as macOS, iOS devices, Android devices, and Linux. Basically, any device that can run a web browser can be used as a Windows 365 endpoint.
Windows 365 Advantages
The cloud PCs that Windows 365 offer open up a new world of options for businesses from a cost, management, and productivity perspective. Because computing resources are hosted on the cloud, organizations no longer have to spend extra investment in getting powerful, high-end computers for their offices. Inexpensive, thin clients can be used as endpoints to more powerful cloud PCs.
IT administrators can also rejoice in the fact that Windows 365 PCs appear alongside physical machines in Microsoft Endpoint Manager. The process of managing these cloud PCs will be no different from physical, on-site machines – with the added benefit of not having to worry about hardware maintenance or its associated costs.
Windows 365 Requirements
Microsoft has not released any specific hardware requirements in order to run Windows 365. However, any device with a web browser and an Internet connection speed that’s sufficient to stream a movie should be enough to provide a good user experience, says Scott Manchester, Director of Program Management for Windows 365 in an online video. Because the virtualized operating system is Internet browser based, this means that Windows 365 is accessible across a huge variety of devices from desktops, laptops, smartphones, and tablets – regardless of the operating system that is natively installed on that device.
Windows 365 Pricing Information
For now, Windows 365 is available only for business and enterprise users – either directly through Microsoft or through its Microsoft certified partners. No word has been revealed whether or not Widows 365 will be available to non-business home users, but one could assume that Microsoft will open up its Windows 365 offering to the general public in the future.
Microsoft offers Windows 365 on a per user basis under two subscription paths: Business and Enterprise. The Business tier is built for organizations with fewer than 300 users. Despite the separate tiers, each share identical configurations and price points. Microsoft offers Windows 365 in multiple configurations of CPU, RAM, and storage – ensuring that organizations will find the plan that is right for them.
Windows 365 plans range from: 1 vCPU with 2 GB of RAM and 64 GB of storage for $24 / month (this price can be reduced to $20 / month if the user already owns an existing Windows 10 Pro license) all the way to 8 vCPUs with 32 GB of RAM and 512 GB of storage for $162 / month. There are also intermediate plans in between.
Refer to the table below:
| Processor | RAM | Storage | Monthly Cost (Per User) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 vCPU | 2 GB | 64 GB | $20 |
| 2 vCPU | 4 GB | 64 GB | $28 |
| 2 vCPU | 4 GB | 128 GB | $31 |
| 2 vCPU | 4 GB | 256 GB | $40 |
| 2 vCPU | 8 GB | 128 GB | $41 |
| 2 vCPU | 8 GB | 256 GB | $50 |
| 4 vCPU | 16 GB | 128 GB | $66 |
| 4 vCPU | 16 GB | 256 GB | $75 |
| 4 vCPU | 16 GB | 512 GB | $101 |
| 8 vCPU | 32 GB | 128 GB | $123 |
| 8 vCPU | 32 GB | 256 GB | $132 |
| 8 vCPU | 32 GB | 512 GB | $158 |
The 1 vCPU plan is ideal for users such as reception and data entry workers that only require minimal computing power throughout the course of their everyday work. Users with more demanding computing needs such as video editors and other creatives are best served with plans that feature more vCPUs and more RAM.
Get in touch with a Microsoft Certified partner to learn how your business could benefit from Microsoft 365.