Is Microsoft suggesting your company buys fewer PCs?

Well yes, but also no

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

Microsoft, developer of theoperating systemfor personal computers that’s been dominant for decades, now seems to be advocating that businesses buy less PCs, but the situation may be a bit more complicated than it initially seems.

PerThe Register, Microsoft’s new stance emerged with thepublic preview release of Windows 365 Frontline, a cloud computing service charging customers for the time they use a cloud PC, rather than a blanket monthly fee, in April 2023.

In addition to offering better value for money, Microsoft also believe cloud PCs are better for the planet, a view backed up byresearchcommissioned for the product launch carried out by sustainability consultancy Px3.

Cloud vs physical PCs

The research advocates for cloud PCs over physical tablets andlaptops for business use, and where possible suggests that businesses purchase employees’ personal devices to avoid providing surplus devices to users.

In using one primary device to connect to a cloud PC instead of multiple, there are clear savings on the amount of resources spent on computer manufacturing, and in power consumption.

The clearest caveat with this idea, in theory, are the security issues. Can a secureZero Trustenvironment ever emerge on a device also dedicated to personal use?

Microsoft cloud success helps push revenue, offsets Windows and PC drops>Making the ‘internet of clouds’ a reality>We’ve also listed the best workstations around right now

Even if a cloud PC environment is remote, access to said environment could be compromised with reckless use of a device without adequateendpointandcloud firewallprotection.

Are you a pro? Subscribe to our newsletter

Sign up to the TechRadar Pro newsletter to get all the top news, opinion, features and guidance your business needs to succeed!

Additionally, a continuous subscription to Microsoft for cloud PC use will cost more than it does to buy devices and Windows licences on their own, and that approach will continue to appeal to small businesses looking to cut costs amidst the recession.

Luke Hughes holds the role of Staff Writer at TechRadar Pro, producing news, features and deals content across topics ranging from computing to cloud services, cybersecurity, data privacy and business software.

7 myths about email security everyone should stop believing

Best Usenet client of 2024

Arcane season 2 confirms the hit series isn’t just one of the best Netflix shows ever made – it’s an animated legend that’ll stand the test of time