A low-cost Surface Laptop is currently in the works to compete with Chromebooks

As we are nearing the end of the year, Microsoft may have yet another announcement in store for its users. According to the rumors, the device is more education-focused and affordable.

Chromebooks are widely used in schools, and now Microsoft wants a stake in the market. Upon releasing the laptop, Microsoft may also release a new Windows 11 variant.

If you may recall, during the Surface event held a few weeks ago, an array of its flagship devices and now, an affordable version is coming soon.

Specifications

The new laptop is expected to have an 11.6-inch display, 8GB memory, and a low-end quad-core Intel Celeron N4120 processor.

It will also have USB-A and a USB-C port and charge either through the USB-C or AC ports, just like the Surface devices.

Reduced price

The device will not follow the usual Surface screen 3:2 aspect ratio as these will be 16:9. In addition, they may not be available for retail as the major clientele is educational institutions. They will probably be offering them in bulk which will significantly reduce the prices.

From the reports on Twitter, It would seem that this is a very well-received piece of news as users are hopeful with the expected release.

Windows 11 SE

The details on the Windows 11 SE are very scattered, so the assumption from the report is that it could be a Windows 10 but in S mode. The OS is expected to run Microsoft Store apps and can be upgraded to Windows 10.

Others suggest that it could be an enterprise version without the Microsoft Store and limited apps and settings.

We can only wait and see what the OS will have and what it won’t.

Competition with Chromebooks

It has been a tradition for Microsoft to offer low-cost Windows versions with limited abilities, but it seems this new version may be somewhat different. This new device should be able to give educators a way to reuse the blackboard, just like Chromebooks.

This would be the company’s first and using its hardware which in the past, it enabled other hardware makers to offer the OS for a cheaper price.

Microsoft is yet to make a statement on the new Windows 11 SE version when the release of either the device or OS will be available. We will be on the lookout in case there are any new developments.

What features would you like to see included in the Surface device dedicated to educators? Let us know in the comment section below.