How much does it cost to run an Azure Virtual Machine?

How much does it cost to run an Azure Virtual Machine?
Creating and running a Cloud PC in Azure is a great way to build a test environment, a learning sandbox, or even a system you can use for basic daily work - but, how much does it cost?
I ran an Azure Virtual PC running Windows 11, Microsoft Office, Adobe Photoshop, and Acrobat. A simple system that I ran between 10-12 hours a day. What was my cost? Watch this video for the details and actual data from my system.

#cloudpc #windows11 #azure #virtualmachine Check out my SkillShare course on the Microsoft Whiteboard - use this referral link:

[rramnel]

I have an iPad Pro and I use that most of the time for sending emails and basic office/productivity tasks. And I also have an Azure VM setup (running Windows 11 as well) that I use occasionally (around 30-40 hours each month) when I need to do more demanding office tasks (like using advanced Excel tables, multitasking on an external monitor etc.). 

And I end up paying around 10 euros per month for my VM. 

In order to have such low costs its important that you shut down your VM when you are not using it. It’s not just shutting down the VM, you need to go into the Azure Portal and ensure that it is “deallocated”. Only then you don’t get charged for the VM. But you will have running costs for Storage. And to reduce the costs there, choose a HDD over SSD. And in my opinion, using a normal HDD is more than enough for basic productivity/office usage. Hope this information helps.

[smallfry]

$500 bucks ... Basically for the same system I can buy for $500 bucks but then I don't own it. Great video! Thanks for the info.

[VANTYCSolutions]

I run my Windows machine on Hetzner (3 VCPU, 4GB ram 80GB hdd on Ashburn, VA) with daily backups for 7.5 USD/Month.

[frauseo]

Very informative video. I was on the hunt to estimate a cost for a office usecase! Also very interesting point if you have older HW, this could be a good alternative, which you dont have to buy new future proof Hardware

[ave_rie]

I’m probably one of the few ones who gets it. I have scoliosis and have to move around a lot because of my job. I literally cannot bring 3 devices with me all the fking time ( a personal laptop for learning and my second job, primary work-issued laptop, and ipad for entertainment). I do have a properly speced personal laptop at home but I end up not using it because of the mobility issue, making it less useful/arguably as expensive as a VM due to cost-per-usage.

Really appreciate your videos about this! I’m considering azure or windows 365 for my next 2-month work assignment. I’ll have to view your other videos to see if this will work out on a regular 8th gen iPad and the internet connection speed needed.

I’m currently taking introductory classes on programming, web design, and data.

[avalagum]

Oracle cloud gives you a VM with 4 ARM cpu cores, 24gb ram and 200gb storage for free forever (until they change their policy). Search for "free oracle cloud 'in YouTube.
For casual use of windows, I think, a mini pc is more economic than an Azure vm: a mini pc with an Intel N5105 cpu, 16gb ram, 500gb ssd, supporting 2 4k monitors is about $220 on Amazon US.

[supriyochatterjee]

Very informative, please kindly upload more videos related to real world troubleshooting for Azure

[JoaoRyanPlim]

I learned something new today. Thank you!

[linuxmq]

Let's face it. Accessing a remote machine using an iPad or iPhone is not really convenient.
So you still have to purchase a computer with decent screen in order to do any real work or anything else.
The cheapest desktop can be bought second hand, but a cloud virtual machine will not replace the fact that one also needs a computer at home. So why spending extra money for a cloud virtual machine if anything can be done on the home computer, which more often will be more powerful anyway?
I can see the use of a virtual machine on the cloud for companies in need of a server or development machine for their users and for a limited amount of time.
Remember to switch off you cloud virtual machine otherwise the billing counter keeps running! $2/day roughly is enough to buy a basic desktop or laptop with one year ROI.
Maybe I just don't get all that fuss about cloud services for personal use.
However, great video, thank you.

[benidiktuskurniawan]

This is what i also do. I just have Ipad pro stuff that can do almost task. But sometimes i need work with windows PC because of multitasking limited on iPad. My usage is less than 10 hour a day or maybe just a few hour a month. I just turn off when not needed so just pay for storage only because i dont use the CPU, Ram and bandwith. its cheaper is you not often use a PC then the fix price on windows 365

[elementotriplo]

Thanks for the overview, for my software dev. needs i get pretty expensive in a couple of months, to the point that in few month of usage i could just buy a new powerful pc. But I get the point of using it for lab and testing, i will definitively be doing that.
I was thinking of using it as development machine, instead of letting my company spying on my personal computer while on remote work, but it unfortunately gets too expensive for my needs, for work i will probably get a new separate pc

[ronallan]

5:32 I laughed at the Buurrrn at the end. He preemptively Roasted the comments section! 😂😂

[KeinNiemand]

Not even remotly worth it when you consider that a pc can last you many years, you can have a pc for like 5-10 years no problem and on that time frame the cloud ends up waaaay more expensive then.

[frankdamienzoe]

Interesting. More videos like this please. Do you know something about the geographical consistency of speed, usability and price. I'm an expat living and working in Cambodia. Thx.

[jamesmiths]

Thank you for your video. I'm considering a vm because a good use case imho, can be for ISV. For example I can prepare my work at home and when at my client office I can acces the vm and download and install my software. Besides I can work and make changes out of home.
Thank you.

[billyrowe]

2:29 hey you and me both. Especially with flight simulator.

[jackt]

Thanks for the video. I am evaluating options for my non-profit that is accessible from anywhere in the world to do the accounting, sync contacts, calendars, and schedules since there really is no home base. We have our own bare-metal ESXi infrastructure of servers that I could put it on but it's another consideration when we make changes in that environment for business server purposes and at that $9.00/mo., and for something used only 2-3 hours a day, and they set it up, I can't frog around for that. Nobody is a gamer and our plenty good old Photoshop version and video editing if you don't care about rocket performance is fine. It wouldn't cost much to try to see whether or no it drives us nuts.

My reservation is privacy. There are kids pictures, personal information, correspondence, supporter anonymity, etc. I've seen enough over the past several years to know even when you are paying for services they will sell private information to marketing profilers for a pack of cigarettes, and are under the thumb of every 3-letter organization in the country where the information is also used by corrupt leaders for nefarious purposes against the ethical for opposing their agenda.

[gkoshy]

Something this video doesn't make clear: If you set up a virtual machine and install all the programs you need (e.g., Microsoft Office, your programming environment, etc), would you need to keep this VM running in order to keep your setup? That would run up the cost ...

[josephkelly]

Low spec is cheap. But as soon as we boost the cores it can cost.

[edelpurugganan]

Very informative. How fast does my internet need to be to access this $8/week setup?