Announcing general availability of Windows 365 for Windows 10 and Windows 11

Haydon · Aug 5, 2021

johnlgalt said:
That's really not a fair argument - this Windows 365 is not aimed at consumers in any way, manner, or fashion at all.

I think you misunderstand me. I realize very well that Windows 365 is currently marketed to businesses and not to consumers. There is also 12 different editions/price points, the cheapest of which costs $240/year compared to $69/year for Office 365. That's a factor of 3.5 (the factor is bigger if you need more muscle in your cloud PC)

My point was that this factor can only be overcome if you introduce resource (and hence, price) sharing for the consumer edition(s) of Windows 365. Or else, all businesses would get consumer subscriptions :scream:

Vice versa, no consumer would really care if availability drops to 99% (due to resource sharing) whereas that 1% lack of availability could cause $ loss for a business in a real time situation.

I am positive that Microsoft eventually wants to capture the consumer market too, there is absolutely no reason to leave $ on the table. Microsoft marketing must have analyzed the business vs consumer timelines for Windows 365. They keep this competitive information close to their hearts, but that does not prevent us from making educated guesses

Haydon · Aug 5, 2021

Winuser said:
OK, I'll make this my last post on the subject. For medium to large companies, Institutions and schools I will agree that using cloud computing can be very beneficial. Your local repairmen doesn't need to use cloud computing to get their repairs done. I have been told what can be done with cloud computing and it is right. I just haven't seen why the local plumbers, electricians and etc. can't get the same jobs done without cloud computing.

Edit: I won't be offended if anyone wants to put me on their ignore list because I'm not going to change my opinion about cloud computing and the repairmen needing it to do their job.

Microsoft markets Windows 365 to businesses of one (and up)
However, Microsoft does not impose Windows 365 to businesses of one (and up)

On the first day of availability, Microsoft servers were overrun by a stampede. Those in the stampede were not likely the big multi-nationals, they were likely 1 person hi-tech entrepreneurs. These people can also do their stuff in their old ways, everyone can.

Nobody is offended, BTW.

Stigg · Aug 6, 2021

What is the benefit of Windows 365?
You'll still need an operating system to use it.
Am I missing something?

Cliff S · Aug 6, 2021

What's all this talk about electricians and plumbers needing W365 CloudPC?
CloudPC is for business and enterprise that need Windows.
Buy the way: Windows 365 Frequently Asked Questions | Microsoft

For handworkers like electricians, plumbers, heating & cooling install, and construction, there are specialize SaaS options that run on phones, tablets and laptops and such for when they are on site, to gather information, compute pricing, compute materials needed and such.
Example: Top Saas Construction Products

Cliff S · Aug 6, 2021

Stigg said:
What is the benefit of Windows 365?
You'll still need an operating system to use it.
Am I missing something?

A worker can access his work PC from anywhere.
Security: if the PC you run it on is compromised/hacked, or god forbid gets hit with Ransomware, your CloudPC is safe, and only your personal stuff is fubarred.
Also all programs and data are stored somewhere else and not on your personal system

Stigg · Aug 6, 2021

Cliff S said:
A worker can access his work PC from anywhere.
Security: if the PC you run it on is compromised/hacked, or god forbid gets hit with Ransomware, your CloudPC is safe, and only your personal stuff is fubarred.
Also all programs and data are stored somewhere else and not on your personal system

Thanks for that.
And that's assuming that the cloud PC is also safe from those compromises you mentioned.

Edwin · Aug 6, 2021

I think y'all got your head in the Cloud!!!

Stigg · Aug 6, 2021

Edwin said:
I think y'all got your head in the Cloud!!!

It has certainly clouded my thinking.

Cliff S · Aug 6, 2021

Stigg said:
Thanks for that.
And that's assuming that the cloud PC is also safe from those compromises you mentioned.

If the servers are running on Microsofts Azur, I'm pretty sure it is.

Oh and one other advantage Paul Thurrott mentioned on Windows Weekly was, for companies that have lousy internet connections, your remote PC will get the ungodly download/upload speeds that Microsoft servers have. The end user can get away with slow speeds as he is only streaming the CloudPC, there might be a little lag from click to action if the speeds are real bad, but say when you download a large data base it will go not just fast, but fast-fast :)

Cliff S · Aug 6, 2021

Oh and sysadmins will not need to muck around updating all the firms PC every month.

Haydon · Aug 6, 2021

Cliff S said:
For handworkers like electricians, plumbers, heating & cooling install, and construction, there are specialize SaaS options that run on phones, tablets and laptops and such for when they are on site, to gather information, compute pricing, compute materials needed and such.
Example: Top Saas Construction Products

You could use your SaaS on your cloud PC to get the additional benefits.

Cliff S said:
Oh and one other advantage Paul Thurrott mentioned on Windows Weekly was, for companies that have lousy internet connections, your remote PC will get the ungodly download/upload speeds that Microsoft servers have. The end user can get away with slow speeds as he is only streaming the CloudPC, there might be a little lag from click to action if the speeds are real bad, but say when you download a large data base it will go not just fast, but fast-fast :)

If you need to sync your cloud PC to your 'earth' PC or vice versa, you are limited to your own Internet speed. I am generally pro cloud, but this is a concern for doing a large backup, for example, it could take a looong time.

Steve C · Aug 6, 2021

The UK government uses such virtual PCs for classified IT operations. You only have a dumb terminal on your desk.

Haydon · Aug 6, 2021

Steve C said:
The UK government uses such virtual PCs for classified IT operations. You only have a dumb terminal on your desk.

Microsoft promotes a Hybrid PC operational model with significant computing capabilities in a not so dumb terminal. You get a discount if you use the Pro version of Windows 10 (or 11 when it comes) to access your cloud PC.

Atomic77 · Sep 1, 2021

Um isn't this kind of like what google is doing with those little laptops called chromebooks???

barman58 · Sep 2, 2021

I have worked a little with Adobe's Neural filters which processes some quite intense data packages using the mainframe systems at Adobe to speed up, or to be accurate, make possible manipulation that is just not possible with "Home" hardware

I can see the reasons for this and the results are quite impressive but I would not trust my Internet to perform even the day to day processing of images I do, the possibilities are there but the infrastructure I would need is not available to me.

I would actually assume that Windows 365 would actually work similarly to Office 365, where the actual processing is done locally to some extent

Haydon · Sep 2, 2021

barman58 said:
I would actually assume that Windows 365 would actually work similarly to Office 365, where the actual processing is done locally to some extent

Yes, that's the most sensible usage scenario, and one that MS promotes as Hybrid PC. For my own needs, it would be about 70% - 80% in the cloud CPU and 20% - 30% in the earth CPU. Although data will be 95% + on earth (Internet connection is too slow)

Can't wait for a consumer version of Windows 365 at Office 365 prices.