Microsoft takes on Chrome OS with Windows S, announces Surface Laptop

[Dare2Blink]

Microsoft really took Apple's old pricing strategy to heart for that thing - its got 4GB of ram in the base $1k model, has no remotely decent collection of ports, and comes complete with a limited OS.

The only nice think you can say about windows S is that its less awful than windows RT because there are actually apps on the windows store now. Regardless its still awful, and youd thought theyd have learned.

The OS is only limited to the extent that you want it to be. Windows 10 S is capable to running x86 apps (as long as you go through the store) and is nothing like Windows RT. Furthermore you can easily (and for free until the end of this year) click a button and have windows 10 pro, so I don´t see what you are complaining about, specially since its also cheaper than any mac with equivalent specs.

 

[Dare2Blink]

"Microsoft takes on Chrome OS with Windows S, announces Surface Laptop".
I seem to remember them trying something like this a while back with some abortive Windows RT thing and tapped out 10 minutes later. What makes them think things will be different this time around?

There is a huge difference between the situation now and when Windows RT came out :
- The windows store is much better than before and most important apps are present, with the rest to soon follow
- As opposed to windows RT, which ran on an arm chip, this is running on a high end Intel chip, meaning it is fisically capable of running x86 apps, as long as they are on the app store.
- Unlike windows RT which was always stuck on being windows RT, windows 10 S and be upgraded to windows 10 pro in about 30 seconds.
-Another big difference is that Microsoft's partners will release a plethora of cheap devices starting at 200 USD witch, with windows 10S, will be perfect for schools.

 

[Skidmarksdeluxe]

There is a huge difference between the situation now and when Windows RT came out :
- The windows store is much better than before and most important apps are present, with the rest to soon follow
- As opposed to windows RT, which ran on an arm chip, this is running on a high end Intel chip, meaning it is fisically capable of running x86 apps, as long as they are on the app store.
- Unlike windows RT which was always stuck on being windows RT, windows 10 S and be upgraded to windows 10 pro in about 30 seconds.
-Another big difference is that Microsoft's partners will release a plethora of cheap devices starting at 200 USD witch, with windows 10S, will be perfect for schools.

Agreed. But Chrome OS being so ubiquitous these days for these types of devices, would many be willing to pull the plug on it?
I know that sounds like the typical iSheep compulsory statement of "It just works" but in this case...

 

[Nobina]

The OS is only limited to the extent that you want it to be. Windows 10 S is capable to running x86 apps (as long as you go through the store) and is nothing like Windows RT. Furthermore you can easily (and for free until the end of this year) click a button and have windows 10 pro, so I don´t see what you are complaining about, specially since its also cheaper than any mac with equivalent specs.

That is great that you can upgrade to Pro in a click but why isn't it the default option? What is the benefit of having features removed? Anyone with little knowledge will upgrade to W10 Pro and will Google ways to disable privacy stuff but why should we go through that process? It's just annoying. These little things are making people look down on Windows 10. I can only imagine how well recieved this OS would be if Microsoft wouldn't push it that aggresively to everyone.

 

[oldikes]

The OS is only limited to the extent that you want it to be. Windows 10 S is capable to running x86 apps (as long as you go through the store)

Quite a big contradiction there isnt it. About 80-90 percent of the apps I use somewhat regularly arent on the store, and about 25-50% of the store apps there are significant issues with crashing or performance.

at a very cheap price range, windows S does have inherent value. But on a device with this marketing and price range, all youre going to do by shipping this with S is piss off alot of uneducated, unaware users.

Sure its no big deal for me to upgrade to pro, but this device wasnt made for me at all to begin with, its built for the college student macbook buyer, about half of which are gonna feel shafted when they realize they cant install software they want (the appeal of buying a windows PC over a mac as a college student unless you need more processing power). and Not all of them are gonna be happy to upgrade it themselves, particularly when the free upgrade period ends (as few will probably buy it through an education channel).

 

[bexwhitt]

Microsoft really took Apple's old pricing strategy to heart for that thing - its got 4GB of ram in the base $1k model, has no remotely decent collection of ports, and comes complete with a limited OS.

The only nice think you can say about windows S is that its less awful than windows RT because there are actually apps on the windows store now. Regardless its still awful, and youd thought theyd have learned.

Windows 10s is ideal for click happy kids and the like and will lead to less unwanted programs and malware. For one thing driver update is not on the store

 

[Bao Nguyen]

The OS is only limited to the extent that you want it to be. Windows 10 S is capable to running x86 apps (as long as you go through the store) and is nothing like Windows RT. Furthermore you can easily (and for free until the end of this year) click a button and have windows 10 pro, so I don´t see what you are complaining about, specially since its also cheaper than any mac with equivalent specs.

That is great that you can upgrade to Pro in a click but why isn't it the default option? What is the benefit of having features removed? Anyone with little knowledge will upgrade to W10 Pro and will Google ways to disable privacy stuff but why should we go through that process? It's just annoying. These little things are making people look down on Windows 10. I can only imagine how well recieved this OS would be if Microsoft wouldn't push it that aggresively to everyone.

Because if you choose to stay with Windows 10 S you'll have the benefit of lightweight, faster boot, better battery life, and secure. I know quite a few people will love that.

I personally will immediately upgrade to Pro simply because you can't install Steam on S.

 

[Dare2Blink]

No, not limited, a less resource hungry OS.

And if you look the version mentioned here, it comes with a full hd on an odd ratio 13" screen, and the base model will come with an i5. To me, the price for the "base" model doesn't sound bad.

its just as limited as it is less resouce hungry.

You can get an XPS 13, an inspiron 13 7000, an x360, etc for better specs than this or cheaper than this. And based on the problems ive had with my surface 3, metal build =/= better build.
Maybe if they wanted to use less resources, they could off telemetry and 20 other questionably useful windows services instead of the ability to install non-store apps.

The OS is only limited to the extent that you want it to be. Windows 10 S is capable to running x86 apps (as long as you go through the store) and is nothing like Windows RT. Furthermore you can easily (and for free until the end of this year) click a button and have windows 10 pro, so I don´t see what you are complaining about, specially since its also cheaper than any mac with equivalent specs.

That is great that you can upgrade to Pro in a click but why isn't it the default option? What is the benefit of having features removed? Anyone with little knowledge will upgrade to W10 Pro and will Google ways to disable privacy stuff but why should we go through that process? It's just annoying. These little things are making people look down on Windows 10. I can only imagine how well recieved this OS would be if Microsoft wouldn't push it that aggresively to everyone.

Lol the benefit of windows 10S are quite obvious: it can´t get viruses, won´t slow down over time, will boot up instantly and get longer battery life, and should also be more stable. Obvious for people like us that like to install a lot of x86 apps not available on the store it won´t do and we will upgrade imediately, but for many people, especially as more apps become available in the store, the benefits will quickly out weight the only disadvantage. You should also understand that this is a long game for Microsoft. They know that now 80 or 90% of people will imediately upgrade to windows 10 pro, but as the windows store grows more and more, and it´s apps become more and more capable, less people will upgrade until eventually almost no one will. If I had Photoshop, lightroom and steam available on the store, I would probably stick with windows 10S

 

[Nobina]

Lol the benefit of windows 10S are quite obvious: it can´t get viruses, won´t slow down over time, will boot up instantly and get longer battery life, and should also be more stable. Obvious for people like us that like to install a lot of x86 apps not available on the store it won´t do and we will upgrade imediately, but for many people, especially as more apps become available in the store, the benefits will quickly out weight the only disadvantage. You should also understand that this is a long game for Microsoft. They know that now 80 or 90% of people will imediately upgrade to windows 10 pro, but as the windows store grows more and more, and it´s apps become more and more capable, less people will upgrade until eventually almost no one will. If I had Photoshop, lightroom and steam available on the store, I would probably stick with windows 10S

What a load of bullshit.

Can't get viruses? Because you can't install programs? You can still surf the internet and get them there. Unless they blocked that too...Let's take away all the functionality from an OS in case we get a virus L O L. Can't remember last time I had a virus and I'm able to install programs. People who do get viruses will still get them I'm sure of that.

Windows Store will never get so good that eventually no one will want to upgrade to 10 Pro. That is just a pipe dream of yours.