Microsoft has officially announced an all-new Windows 10 S OS and Surface Laptop at an education-centric event in New York City. The tech major is going hard after Google’s Chrome OS and lineup of Chromebooks in order to become a bigger presence in schools and colleges.
Its main weapon in this fight is Windows 10 S. Microsoft claims the software is faster and streamlined for security. It goes about the latter by making sure users can only download Windows Store apps. These applications are verified for security and then run in a safe container. Edge is the permanent default browser, though others can be installed.
Windows 10 S likely won’t appeal to everyday consumers who enjoy the freedom the regular Windows 10 offers. This is an education-focused product through-and-through, bundling in a free subscription to the new Minecraft: Education Edition and Microsoft Office 365 for Education with Microsoft Teams.
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Microsoft claims that Windows 10 S takes just 15 seconds to boot up the first time and 5 seconds thereafter, much quicker than the full-fledged Windows 10. The brand has tied up with the likes of Samsung, Asus, HP, Dell, and Acer to start rolling out education PCs starting at $189 this summer. Schools already on Windows Pro PCs are set to get the OS for free.
The new Surface Laptop is a significant departure from Microsoft’s last notebook, the Surface Book, in that it is non-detachable. This makes it a more traditional laptop option, with the company aiming it squarely at university students.
Microsoft is hoping to attract buyers by touting the device’s streamlined Windows 10 S-powered performance, 1.25kg portable body, and 14.5 hour-long battery life when playing videos. The 13.5-inch PixelSense Display allows for touch and inking and there’s a suede-like Alcantra fabric covering the backlit keyboard.
The Surface Laptop is available in platinum, burgundy, cobalt blue, and graphite gold colors. There are 4 different configuration options to choose from, with the basic $999 one offering an Intel Core i5 processor, 4GB of RAM, and 128GB of SSD storage. The premium option is priced at $2199 and offers an Intel Core i7 SoC, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of SSD storage.
Surface Laptop specifications at a glance:
– Display: 13.5-inch PixelSense, 2256 x 1504 pixels
– OS: Windows 10 S
– Storage: 128GB/256GB/512GB SSD
– RAM: 4GB/8GB/16GB
– CPU: Intel Core i5/i7
– Camera: 720p front
– Battery Life: 14.5 hours
– Weight: 1.25kg
– Dimensions: 308.1 x 223.27 x 14.48mm
– Connectivity: Wi-Fiac, Bluetooth 4.0, 1 x USB 3.0, Mini DisplayPort, Surface Connect
You can pre-order the Surface Laptop here. It’s set to hit stores on June 15 in various countries including the US, UK, Australia, France, and Spain.