Microsoft working on Windows 11 SE and low-cost Surface Laptop to take on Chromebooks

guest · Oct 26, 2021

Microsoft working on Windows 11 SE and low-cost Surface Laptop to take on Chromebooks
Windows 11 SE meets Chrome OS
October 26, 2021
https://www.theverge.com/2021/10/26...dows-11-se-surface-laptop-se-education-rumors

Microsoft is about to compete even more directly with Chromebooks. The software giant is reportedly preparing to launch a new low-cost Surface Laptop aimed at education markets, specifically K-12, alongside a new edition of Windows 11 named Windows 11 SE.

Windows Central reports that the upcoming Surface Laptop could also be named Surface Laptop SE and will likely include an 11.6-inch (1366 x 768) display, with Intel’s N4120 Celeron processor and up to 8GB of RAM. This budget laptop is designed for K-12 students and to be as low cost as possible, with a single USB-A and USB-C port.
Click to expand...

While Microsoft has used the SE moniker for Windows versions before (hello Windows 98 SE), Windows 11 SE won’t be a second edition of Windows 11. Instead, it’s expected to be more like the S versions of Windows 10, which are designed for low-cost devices to compete with Chromebooks.

If this edition of Windows 11 is truly aimed at the education market, then it may need to borrow some of the ease of use features from Chrome OS. While Microsoft has been trying to compete with Chromebooks for years, Windows still lacks a simple way for educators to wipe and reuse laptops for classrooms.
Click to expand...

Windows Central: Microsoft is building an 11.6-inch low-cost laptop designed for K-12 education markets

According to my sources, this new laptop is codenamed Tenjin [...]
Tenjin marks the beginning of a new K-12 education strategy for Microsoft. In addition to the new hardware, Microsoft is also preparing to launch a new edition of Windows 11 titled "Windows 11 SE" built specifically for low-cost school PCs like Tenjin.

I also hear Tenjin might ship under the Surface Laptop brand, possibly dubbed "Laptop SE" to match the Windows 11 edition that's installed.
Click to expand...

While I have no concrete info on pricing, I'm expecting Tenjin to target a sub $400 price bracket to remain competitive against Chromebooks. I'm told the device is pretty much ready to go, and will be announced before the end of this year if plans don't change.
Click to expand...

guest · Nov 9, 2021

Microsoft unveils $249 Surface Laptop SE with Windows 11 SE for the K-8 classroom
Microsoft's low-end education PC is official!
November 9, 2021
https://www.windowscentral.com/surface-laptop-se-announcement-education-pc

What you need to know

Microsoft is adding a new laptop to its Surface hardware portfolio.

It's called Surface Laptop SE and is the most affordable Surface yet at $249.

It's built specifically for K-8 education markets for deployment in classrooms.

The laptop ships with Windows 11 SE designed for K-8 markets and low-cost hardware.

Click to expand...

Microsoft has unveiled a new addition to its ever growing Surface PC line-up today with a $249 laptop designed specifically for the K-8 education sector. Dubbed the "Surface Laptop SE," this new laptop marks the beginning of a new education strategy for Microsoft, launching with Windows 11 SE pre-loaded which was built for education-focused PCs in mind.

Surface Laptop SE is a big departure for the Surface line, being the first that isn't primarily designed as a "premium" product. Instead, Surface Laptop SE aims to be the best available in the very low-end segment of the market, in an area where premium fit, finish, and performance isn't sought after.
It's important to stress that Surface Laptop SE does not compete with "consumer facing" laptops on the market.
Click to expand...

But with a starting price of $249, the Surface Laptop SE is the most affordable Surface yet. Microsoft says it's only available to buy through education channels, meaning normal consumers won't be able to grab one of these anyway. This laptop is designed to be bought in bulk by education establishments for deployment to classrooms and students with OS configurations specific to their school.
Click to expand...

zapjb · Nov 9, 2021

M$ will fail at price point & specs compared to Chromebooks. I'd bet on it.

guest · Nov 9, 2021

Acer, ASUS, Dell, HP and more join the Windows 11 SE push with sub $350 laptops
November 9, 2021
https://www.onmsft.com/news/microsofts-windows-11-se-push-gets-backing-from

Aside from Microsoft's Intune for Education setting a new stage for the company's revitalized efforts in K-8 classrooms, it's OEM partners will provide the most integral piece for Window 11 SE, the hardware.

Following Microsoft's announcement of Windows 11 SE, OEM partners have all lined up devices to help the company re-enter the education segment with more viable products.
Windows 11 SE will be backed with devices by the likes of Acer, ASUS, Dell, Dynabook, Fujitsu, HP, JP-IK, Lenovo and Positivo, powered by Intel and AMD.
Click to expand...

The list of devices is expected to grow in 2022 as more educational institutions and IT Admins get access to Windows 11 SE, Microsoft Intune for Education and Windows Autopilot.
Click to expand...

guest · Nov 9, 2021

Comment: Microsoft targets Chromebooks with new $249 Surface SE, but it may hurt iPad sales too
November 9, 2021
https://9to5mac.com/2021/11/09/comm...49-surface-se-but-it-may-hurt-ipad-sales-too/

Microsoft has been investing in its own lineup of Surface computers and tablets, and this week the company announced the new Surface SE — a compact laptop that costs just $249. While Microsoft’s primary target is the Chromebook market, it’s not hard to imagine that the Sufarce SE could hurt iPad sales as well.

While pretty much all Surface products are hybrid touchscreen machines, Surface Laptop SE is just a regular laptop with a keyboard and trackpad. Made entirely of plastic, it features an 11.6-inch display with a resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels, which is quite low by today’s standards. Also included are a 720p front-facing camera, USB-C port, USB-A port, and a headphone jack.
Click to expand...

Microsoft has created a new version of Windows called Windows 11 SE, which is focused on the educational market. Besides optimizations to run on less powerful hardware, it runs apps always in full screen and is integrated with OneDrive by default.
It’s an iPad competitor too
However, at the same time, the Surface SE is also somewhat of an iPad competitor. iPad is technically in another category since it’s primarily a tablet, but it’s no secret that Apple is also trying to reach out to the educational market with its entry-level iPad, which can be purchased for under $300 by students.
Click to expand...

Chromebooks are already more used than iPad in the education segment, and the new Microsoft Surface Laptop SE could make that contest even tougher for Apple. With the price and their form-factor combined, these products have a clear advantage against the iPad — even without a great processor or beautiful display.

For some students (and especially for educational institutions), price is more important than anything else. So when you have a full-featured laptop that costs $249, it’s hard to argue in favor of a $299 tablet that doesn’t even come with a keyboard included.
Click to expand...

Log in or Sign up

Microsoft working on Windows 11 SE and low-cost Surface Laptop to take on Chromebooks

guest Guest

guest Guest

zapjb Registered Member

guest Guest

guest Guest

Log in or Sign up

Microsoft working on Windows 11 SE and low-cost Surface Laptop to take on Chromebooks

guest Guest

guest Guest

zapjb Registered Member

guest Guest

guest Guest

Useful Searches