Connect with us

Microsoft Surface Laptop Takes The Fight To Google Chromebooks

Featured

Microsoft Surface Laptop Takes The Fight To Google Chromebooks


Paul Briden

03/05/2017 – 4:09pm

Microsoft reveals its Surface Laptop designed for students

Since Microsoft first debuted the Surface brand several years ago, there have been plenty of rumours and lots of speculation about how the firm might expand the brand past the convertible Surface tablet itself. Most of that conjecture has focused on the idea of a “Surface Phone”, but now, following some last minute leaks, Microsoft has unveiled the Surface Laptop.

So, the main thing here is that it’s not a convertible tablet like the original Surface devices. Another key thing to remember; this is essentially Microsoft’s challenger to the Google Chromebook, designed to be a streamlined, more affordable, pick-up-n-go laptop option. As with Chromebooks, they’ll be sold to anyone who wants one but a key target demographic is students and other budget-mindful types.

Design-wise this will be very familiar to anyone who’s ever seen a Surface convertible tablet; it’s got that squared-off style with tapered edges, and is a lightweight device to make it as portable as possible. It features a 13.5in PixelSense display with a 3:2 aspect ratio, while the interior panel and keyboard bay are, interestingly, covered in fabric.

There will be various onboard storage options using SSD, up to a maximum of 1TB, while Microsoft boasts the battery will last 14.5 hours on a single charge. Colour options include platinum, cobalt blue, burgundy, and gold.

Then things start getting a bit strange. The laptop runs a newly announced version of Windows 10 built specifically for this series of Chromebook competitors, dubbed Windows 10 S. Windows 10 S may be streamlined for these laptops, but as a result it’s a similar story to Google’s Chromebook; you’ll only be able to install apps from the Windows Store, and it’ll use Microsoft’s Edge browser by default, and you won’t be able to change it. Ever. Same goes for the search engine built-in; it’s Bing, like it or not.

The other oddity is, as we’ve said, the Surface Laptop is aimed at students and it’s pegged as a budget option, Microsoft’s alternative to Chromebooks, remember. Well, the starting price is $999 (£773), which is considerably more expensive than starting Chromebook prices of around $200.

It’ll be interesting to see if Microsoft’s plans actually work out here. The Surface Laptop will be available from June 15; you can check out Microsoft’s marketing page here.

Paul Briden 03/05/2017 - 4:09pm

Microsoft unearths its Surface Laptop designed for college kids

Since Microsoft first debuted the Surface logo a number of years in the past, there were quite a lot of rumours and plenty of hypothesis about how the company would possibly increase the logo previous the convertible Surface tablet itself. Maximum of that conjecture has targeted at the concept of a "Surface Telephone", however now, following some remaining minute leaks, Microsoft has unveiled the Surface Laptop.

So, the primary factor here's that it is not a convertible tablet like the unique Surface units. Some other key factor to keep in mind; that is necessarily Microsoft's challenger to the Google Chromebook, designed to be a streamlined, extra reasonably priced, pick-up-n-go pc choice. As with Chromebooks, they will be bought to somebody who needs one however a key goal demographic is scholars and different budget-mindful varieties.

Design-wise this will probably be very acquainted to any person who is ever noticed a Surface convertible tablet; it has got that squared-off taste with tapered edges, and is a light-weight tool to make it as moveable as imaginable. It includes a 13.5in PixelSense show with a 3:2 side ratio, whilst the internal panel and keyboard bay are, apparently, coated in material.

There might be more than a few onboard garage choices the use of SSD, as much as a most of 1TB, whilst Microsoft boasts the battery will final 14.5 hours on a unmarried rate. Color choices come with platinum, cobalt blue, burgundy, and gold.


Then issues get started getting slightly peculiar. The pc runs a newly introduced model of Home windows 10 constructed in particular for this collection of Chromebook competition, dubbed Home windows 10 S. Home windows 10 S could also be streamlined for those laptops, however in consequence it is a identical tale to Google's Chromebook; you'll be able to handiest have the ability to set up apps from the Home windows Retailer, and it will use Microsoft's Edge browser by default, and also you will not be able to switch it. Ever. Similar is going for the quest engine integrated; it is Bing, love it or now not.

The different oddity is, as we have stated, the Surface Laptop is aimed toward scholars and it is pegged as the cheap choice, Microsoft's choice to Chromebooks, keep in mind. Smartly, the beginning worth is $999 (£773), which is significantly costlier than beginning Chromebook costs of round $200.

It is going to be fascinating to peer if Microsoft's plans in fact figure out right here. The Surface Laptop might be to be had from June 15; you can check out Microsoft's marketing page here.

Comments

More in Featured

Popular

Featured

Advertisement
To Top