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by yjftsjthsd-h 534 days ago
I actually think I agree overall, but...

> This is functionally no different than Chromebooks and Google ”imprisoning” hundreds of school districts.

Chromebooks make it trivial to switch to developer mode and get root, and then even disable write protection and flash arbitrary firmware. Can you do that with these boxes?
1 comments
scarface_74 534 days ago
That’s not the target audience.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-365/link

> Windows 365 Link is for organizations that have desk-based workers and are using, or are considering using, Windows 365. Windows 365 Link is well suited for enabling secure productivity in shared workspaces such as hot desks, call centers, reception desks, labs, and more.

And on top of that it’s a desktop computer. There are plenty of mini PC’s for about the same price that are more powerful and not locked down.

link
yjftsjthsd-h 533 days ago
I own a decent number of machines that used to be used in businesses or schools before getting replaced and going on the second hand market (often ebay). This works because the hardware can be repurposed, and it significantly reduces ewaste by allowing a device to go through multiple owners. Will these devices be able to do that?
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scarface_74 533 days ago
If the devices are only functional dumb terminals, why would they need to be replaced as long as they are still functional?

Going by Microsoft’s previous hardware and OS support, you should expect the hardware to be officially supported for over a decade.

The computers that were sold on eBay, couldn’t run the software the school/business needed. As long as these can connect to the cloud, that won’t be an issue

link