Windows 365: Could This Be The End Of The PC?

Microsoft has been steadily improving its cloud based products. Its Office 365 system made its venerable Microsoft Office productivity apps more accessible for a relatively cheap monthly fee. It offers several individual and family plans that provide a decent amount of flexibility.

Now, Microsoft is taking its subscription based business model to a whole new level. Instead of using cloud based apps, the company wants to move your entire PC online. Windows 365 removes the constraints associated with hardware limitations. All you need is a stable internet connection and a phone, tablet or PC to stream Windows.

There’s no need to upgrade an aging PC or buy a new one, because you can keep your current setup and stream Windows 365. In addition to this, you won’t have to worry about annoying updates that have plague Windows 10. The new cloud based OS is kept up to date so that you don’t have to lift a finger.

Windows 365 allows you to pick up where you left off, no matter where that might be. You can log in to your account via a web browser on your PC, laptop, tablet or smartphone, as long as you have a decent internet connection. This could prove to be a game changing product for enterprise based environments.

Companies can keep their work machines running for several more years before upgrading. Microsoft says that Windows 365 is based on a scalable platform that can be built around the needs of today’s hybrid workforce. That could mean that the hardware resources offered to individuals differ based on their subscription plan.

Credit: Microsoft

Microsoft is keeping mum about pricing however, that should change once Windows 365 is made available to the public on August 2. The company’s Xbox division has been offering cloud-based gaming for sometime, which negates the need to own a physical gaming console. It’s latest move aims to take hardware completely out of the equation.

Will Windows 365 put a dent in future PC sales? That is possible for enterprise users. But the average individual with less than stellar internet speeds, wouldn’t be too eager to jump on the Microsoft cloud bandwagon.

Take a look at Satya Nadella’s full announcement here. Skip to 30:00 for the brief overview of what to expect.