Microsoft going after Apple's notebook market in the guise of offering education solution for students

Looking at the Surface Laptops, they look very much like machines that could fit Apple's notebook niche nicely. They're thin and light, geared towards style-conscious users (Burgundy notebook, sweet!), yet Microsoft claims they are more powerful than last year's MacBook Pros and they have better battery life while being thinner and lighter.

By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

Microsoft today held an education event where it launched various initiatives towards strengthening its position in the educational space. The introduced Windows 10 S, a secure version of Windows that relies purely on the Microsoft Store to download and manage apps. The laptops aren't coming to Canada until 'later this year'.

Microsoft also introduced their first bona fide notebook, the Surface Laptop, which starts at US $999, features Core i5 and i7 processors, a touch display for Pen input, 14-hours of battery life, a striking seamless premium design that incorporates unibody enclosure with a colourful cloth covered keyboards and a variety of sexy colours. While Windows 10 S, looks like a better option to Chrome OS, specially if it can run on low-priced (sub $400) notebooks built for education, the Surface Laptop is clearly Microsoft's latest thrust into Apple's notebook market.

Microsoft's Panos Panay, talked exhuberantly about education and how Microsoft understands what students need and all the challenges they face. He made jabs at how the 'technology needs to dissapear,' likely a shot at the Touch Bar on recent MacBook Pros, which while innovative, was deemed uneccessary and distracting by various users.

Looking at the Surface Laptops, they look very much like machines that could fit Apple's notebook niche nicely. They're thin and light, geared towards style-conscious users (Burgundy notebook, sweet!), yet Microsoft claims they are more powerful than last year's MacBook Pros and they have better battery life while being thinner and lighter. These are awesome notebooks for Windows users, for executives, for anyone that finds the 2-in-1 functionality of Surface Pro and Surface Book to be too much.

But for students? Not sure about that. I can see these Surface Notebooks appealing to college students, those who are likely to buy a MacBook Air or a MacBook Pro (similar price point but they get touch functionality, the ability to use a Pen, possibly a better gaming machine).

The good news is there will be cheaper notebooks by OEM partners. "Our goal with Windows 10 S is to develop the open vibrant partner-centric ecosystem we have today. Our device partners, including Acer, ASUS, Dell, Fujitsu, HP, Samsung, and Toshiba, offer a range of new Windows 10 PCs for Education today – starting at $189. In the coming months, these partners will also offer a range of Windows 10 S devices – from powerful and affordable Windows Ink and touch PCs to beautiful premium devices," Microsoft explains.

Microsoft has already tried to take a chunk out of Apple's desktop pro market with the Surface Studio, an apple-esque desktop all-in-one that is like an iMac and giant iPad in one. Now, Microsoft is moving away from its 2-in-1 niche to go for Apple's jugular, its popular MacBook Air (not been updated in years) and MacBook Pro with one product under the Surface Laptop line. 

Microsoft has done its homework, it has hit multiple birds with one multi-coloured stone but there's a lot to consider.

While sexy and desireable, Surface Laptops are gen 1 products and a new category. The Surface Book (and its early adopters) suffered through interminable glitches and software issue for months before Microsoft got it right. I use a Surface Book now with the Creators Update and its still a bit janky, but there's no denying Its a solid and reliably product.  Surface Laptop cannot afford such a misstep, not with MacBooks being rock solid devices with hardly any viruses or known glitches to contend with. Chromebooks, they run a browser and limited web apps, which is easier overall.

Offers for Teachers and Students

To make it easy and affordable to bring Windows 10, Office 365 for Education with Microsoft Teams and Minecraft to the classroom, Microsoft is offering teachers and students:

• New Windows 10 education PCs starting at $189 USD
• Free one-year subscription to Minecraft: Education Edition for new Windows 10 education PCs
• Free Windows 10 S for all schools on any current Windows Pro PC
• Free Microsoft Office 365 for Education with Microsoft Teams
• Free trial of Microsoft Intune for Education

Windows 10 S, Office 365 for Education with Microsoft Teams, Minecraft: Education Edition, and Microsoft Intune for Education offer a complete solution for teachers and students.  

Stay tuned for more information and coverage of Microsoft's new hardware as well as Windows 10 S.