Microsoft announced a new version of windows and a new surface laptop but you probably can't buy the laptop which we might talk about that in a second. So, to just kind of pull back the veil of obscurity, Microsoft announce a new version of windows dubbed windows 11 SE.
Now, this came at an educational focused event yesterday, and they were talking about his they were catering windows 11 and surface hardware like this surface book to the education market.
Now, lets kick it off with this window 11 SE.
First, let me help you answer the question — "What does SE really means?", you may have in your mind about this new laptop. Well, it's really mean like "School Edition" would be my guess, but something like that. So it's a version of windows that is dreamed down and restricted; it's going to sound a lot like windows 10 and S mode, but what it allow is for much more offline use. Now, one of the features, if you want to call that window 11, is that you're always connected; you can work around being connected in an MSA when you sign on —but Microsoft is making windows 11 SE, it works better when you work offline and so much, so that the windows or should I say office Apps that it comes with (if you have) the right license, will actually work offline as well, and then when the student comes back into a place of connectivity, then it will resync everything. Now, that might sound like A whatever feature, but if you think about, it us actually really important one of the challenges in education sector. And keep in mind this is targeted at K-8, it's no internet at home and not every home has high-speed internet or connectivity at all, and so, being able to use these devices in connected, in non connected environments, is actually a pretty big deal.
Microsoft also talks about robust support for web-based Apps and learning services that just effectively means, I think, connecting to them through the web browser, but they are also going to allow limited third party App including zoom, and chrome will be compatible with windows 11 SE from what it sounds like, based on what Microsoft says, where they explicitly say —
We're committed to continuing to expand third party App support to include the most common tear taking accessibility, content filtering, and classroom orchestration Apps on this product.
Basically, it sounds like Microsoft is creating an approval list of software that can run on windows 11 SE based devices. And if you're no on that approved list, then it will not install. So basically, you've got to pass that "gate". If you will, and then, it will work. And that us Microsoft's way of restricting it. Now, they've tried this in previous versions where it had to come through the store, and different mechanisms had to be UWP, and the list goes on and on. But it looks like Microsoft just finally do saying like,
Alright, it doesn't really matter, we're just going to create a really hard, no-go list for windows 11 SE.And so, if you want to run this version of windows, you're going to need specific hardware, and that is where the surface laptop SE comes into play now. Keep in mind, this is a device designed for the K-8 (K to eight) segment. That is absolutely targeting full speed ahead at the Chromebook segment. So, keep in mind as I give you these specs, that this is a $249 device.
Now Microsoft us saying that this device is the server's laptop — SE is highly repairable. They say that the display, the battery, the keyboard, and the motherboard can all be repaired on site. I'd love it if they give this thing over to ifixit so they can give it a true repair ability source but that's a pretty big deal because as you can imagine in the education segment, things break — the motherboard is going to break, the keyboard get glued up Potentially, glue like literally glued up, the battery in display and the list goes on and on. So, what do you get for $249, dues or about two and half mini fridge units?
The Surface Laptop SE will be allotted to schools in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Japan beginning in early 2022. It is to be expected that eventually they will arrive more countries, through a logistical situation. Let's have it in mind that the computer will not be traded to the public; otherwise that it will be sold at a business level to schools.
Microsoft Surface Laptop SE Specifications
This is not a device designed for you to sit on your couch, because it is prices at $249. That is exceptionally low. It is super low; it's a TFT display, and a Microsoft. I shouldn't say low but it's definitely pretty slow for sure. And I guess you can make argument for 64G, is pretty low.
It's not trying to boast this up at all.
You're gonna get an 11.6" display. And if you are trying 16:9 aspect ratio, not the traditional more squared off aspect ratio for Microsoft users. On the CPU, that's either getting an INT or well, they're both Intel Celeron processors but, you're either getting the N4120 or N4020 with Intel UHD 699 graphics, 4G or 8G of RAM, 64G or 128G of eMMCTPM storage 2.0 chip for enterprise.
There's firmware for TPO, and they say a security lockout slot. I will have wi-Fi of 892.11 AC and blue tooth as well. They are saying battery like of up to 16hours of storage. Although, it does look like fast charging is potentially there in some capacity.
Microsoft 365 for Education1MP Front facing camera with up to 720p 30fps video3.5 mm Headphone/Mic Jack, 2W Stereo Speakers, Single digital microphoneWi-Fi: 802.11ac (2×2) Bluetooth 5.0 LE, 1 x USB-C, 1 x USB-A, 1 x Barrel type DC connector, Dimensions: 283.70 x 193.05 x 17.85mm; Weight: 1,112.4gUp to 16 hours of typical device usage.
