Skip to main content

Microsoft takes on Chromebooks with $249 Surface Laptop SE and Windows 11 SE

Microsoft has announced a new version of Windows 11 and an ultra-cheap Surface device, both of which are aimed at taking back the classroom from the domain of Chromebooks.

Windows 11 SE is a slimmed-down version of Windows that makes it simpler and easier to use, and it’s paired with the $249 Surface Laptop SE. Microsoft thinks that these two in combination will create an optimized learning platform for children.

Windows 11 SE Snap photo.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Windows 11 SE is not replacing Windows in S Mode. Rather, this is a specialized education version of Windows 11 that greatly simplifies the operating system to minimize distractions for students, particularly younger children.

Recommended Videos

For example, applications open in full-screen mode by default and Windows Snap only allows two panes instead of the litany of options introduced in Windows 11. The Microsoft Store and widgets bar are removed entirely.

Schools can push specific applications they choose to the devices.

Microsoft said that it also wanted to simplify things for IT admins and greatly reduce headaches. Administrators will be able to manage the fleet of Windows 11 SE computers using Intune for Education. They will also be able to customize Windows 11 SE depending on the institution or individual classrooms. For example, schools can push specific applications they choose to the devices and restrict the use of others. Schools can also customize the Start experience to make it easier for teachers to instruct younger students on what work to do.

Microsoft includes all of its Office 365 suite of applications such as Word, PowerPoint, Teams, and OneNote, along with the Chromium Edge browser. Microsoft specifically pointed to the ability of IT admins to add custom Chromium extensions., although admins can still push Google Chrome to the students’ computers if so desired. Microsoft is partnering with a number of manfacturers to push out Windows 11 SE-enabled devices. So far, this includes HP, Dell, Acer, Asus, Dynabook, Intel, AMD, and Lenovo.

Microsoft itself is also releasing the Surface Laptop SE. At only $249, it’s the cheapest Surface that Microsoft has ever made and is poised to compete with the broad ecosystem of budget-friendly Chromebooks out there.

The company is aiming this version of the Surface Laptop squarely at the K-8th grade market. That’s clear from the looks of the device. It’s chunky, has large bezels, and is made out of plastic — not unlike the Chromebooks it’s designed to compete with.

It’s quite portable, though, with an 11.6-inch screen and weight of just 2.45 pounds. Microsoft even says you can get up to 16 hours of “typical use” on a single charge with the Surface Laptop SE.

The specs, though, aren’t too impressive. It starts with only an Intel Celeron processor N4020, 4GB of RAM, 64GB of eMMC storage, and a 1366 x 768 resolution display. That’s a pitiful screen resolution, even for an education device of this size.

The device also comes with a 1-megapixel webcam, stereo speakers, and a single digital microphone.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Microsoft also wanted to emphasize the reparability of the machine. Anyone with young children can understand the need for a device that is durable. Many components such as the display, keyboard, battery, and even the motherboard can be replaced.

The Surface Laptop SE is only for the education market. Individual parents or students cannot buy it directly. However, there are other low-cost Surface products such as the recently reviewed Surface Go 3 and the Surface Laptop Go. Those devices won’t have Windows 11 SE, however, as that is made specifically for the education market.

There were leaks even before Windows 11 was formally announced that hinted at the existence of Windows 11 SE. The Surface Laptop SE was reported on by Windows Central as recently as last week. Microsoft’s focus on the education market is understandable as Chromebooks have been by far the leading educational computing platform. Chromebooks made up almost 60 percent of the K-12 market share in 2018.

David Matthews
David is a freelance journalist based just outside of Washington D.C. specializing in consumer technology and gaming. He has…
Microsoft’s next Surface devices to be smaller, cheaper and Arm-ready
Leaked Surface Pro 12 press renders

Just ahead of its scheduled event on May 6, Microsoft appears to be preparing to unveil a fresh lineup of Surface devices to have a stronger hold in the Arm-powered PC space. According to leaked details reported by German outlet WinFuture, Microsoft is working on a new 12-inch Surface Pro and a more compact 13-inch Surface Laptop, both powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Plus platform.

The speculated 12-inch Surface Pro marks a return to a smaller form factor, recalling earlier models like the Surface Pro 3, but with modern Arm-based hardware. It features a PixelSense Flow LCD display and runs on the Snapdragon X Plus X1P-42-100 chip, which features eight custom Oryon CPU cores and an integrated Hexagon NPU capable of up to 45 TOPS (trillion operations per second) of AI performance. 

Read more
Microsoft might add a Copilot guided tour to Windows 11 to help new users
Copilot+ PC laptop.

Microsoft could be adding a guided tour to its Copilot app in Windows 11, making it easier for users to get started, according to TechRadar. The six-step guide appears at the top of the app for easy access, and it was Windows leaker @PhantomOfEarth who first spotted it. Microsoft has not officially confirmed the feature, and it is unclear which Insider build it may be tied to, if any.

If you want to try the guided tour, the prompt to start it appears above the Copilot panel. The guide, in its current form, moves at a reasonably fast pace. The first step introduces the prompt box, where users can type or speak requests. This is the main way to interact with Microsoft's AI assistant. The third step guides you through the upload button, which allows you to add documents, images, and other files for Copilot to work with. The pop-up also notes that Copilot can summarize, rewrite, or edit supported content.

Read more
6 security settings I always change on a new Windows PC
The Windows Security app in Windows 11.

It's tempting to jump straight into personalizing a new Windows 11 PC — apps, wallpaper, the works. I've been there. There's just something about tweaking a new machine that makes it feel like yours. But before the fun starts, I always take some time to lock down the security settings. It's a small effort that pays off with peace of mind, especially with so many online threats lurking out there. After all, nothing kills the excitement of a new PC faster than running into a virus or security scare.

Here are the settings I change every time I get a new Windows 11 PC — and why they matter.

Read more