Microsoft Goes For Chromebooks With New Windows 11 SE And Ultra-Cheap Laptops
Microsoft has unveiled its new bullet against the growing threat from ChromeOS, a new version of its operating system called Windows 11 SE.
If you have a sense of déjà vu , it is for good reason; This is not the first time that Microsoft has tried something similar. In some markets, especially the US, Google has managed to take a good part of the educational market with Chromebooks , especially with the cheaper models. In response, Microsoft has tried the same thing a couple of times, releasing limited versions of Windows that have failed to get off the ground.
This week, he tried again, with the new Windows 11 SE. The “SE” doesn’t mean anything, it’s just to distinguish it from the main version that was released a few weeks ago. It is a system specifically designed for educational purposes , specifically up to secondary education, and will not be available to the general public; in fact, we will not even be able to download and install it on our computer, and it will only be available pre-installed on some models.
At first glance, it will be any Windows 11 installation, but with important limitations; Users will not be able to install apps, for example, from the Microsoft Store or native programs. Only system administrators will be able to install apps, selected from six categories: content filtering, exams, accessibility, classroom communication, diagnostics and management, and browsers. Apps that do not fall into these categories will not be able to be installed, but users will be able to launch web applications with the browser.
The system is designed to be managed by an administrator in the school or educational center, and it is necessary to use the cloud platform, Microsoft 365. Until the login you will be limited to Azure Active Directory and a Microsoft account.
The Windows 11 SE interface has been simplified, eliminating distractions; apps always start in full screen, taking up all the space, and the system has been ‘slimmed down’ to adapt to less powerful computers. Cloud storage is also prioritized to save space on your computer.
With all this, the first computers with Windows 11 SE stand out for being very cheap . Microsoft has demonstrated its commitment to the system by launching its own laptop, the Surface Laptop SE . With an 11.6-inch screen that does not reach FullHD resolution, an Intel Celeron processor and 4 GB of RAM, it has just the right hardware to start the system and use web applications, nothing more; But Microsoft will offer it for $ 249, making it the cheapest Surface in the range by far.
Other manufacturers have already announced that they will join the idea, announcing similar laptops in both features and price: Asus, Lenovo, Acer, Dell and Dynabook have been the first to bet on Windows 11 SE, some with their own additions such as a two design. in one and touch screen.
By focusing solely on education, this may be the biggest blow Microsoft has ever dealt Chromebooks; at least it seems to be the best thought. At the moment, there is no data on its launch in Spain, where Chromebooks are already beginning to gain a foothold.
