Does the Surface SE actually fit the original vision of the Surface line?

I’ve seen some comments that the Surface SE is a Surface in name only or does not fit with the rest of the Surface line. I believe that the original plan behind the Surface line was to create new categories or at least bring certain categories of devices to the main stream. A easy to repair laptop has been done before but it is not like the original Surface was the first tablet PC either. Could a easy to repair laptop where the display, battery, keyboard, and even the motherboard can be replaced onsite be a similar attempt? Thought I’d throw the idea out there to see what others think

Conversation 8 comments

  • StevenLayton

    15 November, 2021 - 9:22 am

    <p>Thats a good point. An ultra-repairable Educational class budget Windows laptop is a niche category, but the Education market is one that Microsoft could certainly do with improving on.</p><p>I work in Education, so know about the challenges that Educational budgets bring if you’re trying to buy lots of devices, rather than have the parents pay/lease them. I also see many damaged keyboards and displays on our bedget Chromebooks, so repairablilty is certainly needed, as we simply can’t afford to bin £200 Chromebooks because someone pulled half the keys off.</p>

  • rob_segal

    Premium Member
    15 November, 2021 - 11:43 am

    <p>I don’t think Surface Laptop SE is necessary. Windows 11 SE is needed in order to better compete with Chromebooks in education, but Microsoft doesn’t need to build its own cheap laptop. Other OEMs have laptop options for schools. All that was needed is a better OS from Microsoft to install on that hardware.</p>

    • Sprtfan

      15 November, 2021 - 1:49 pm

      <p>I agree that it might not have been necessary, but being necessary and fitting the original goal of the Surface line are 2 different things. If the goal was to set an example and show what can be done differently, then the Surface SE might have a purpose in Microsoft’s eyes. I think you can make an argument that most of the Surface line to this point wasn’t really necessary but was an attempt to show what could be done. Some have worked out, and some haven’t. </p>

      • rob_segal

        Premium Member
        15 November, 2021 - 6:33 pm

        <p>I don’t think it fits the original goal either. Other OEMs are and will make cheap laptops for Windows 11 SE. Nothing about this machine stands out. It’s just another cheap laptop in a sea of cheap laptops. An example doesn’t need to be set here.</p>

        • Sprtfan

          15 November, 2021 - 6:42 pm

          <p>Cheap was not the differentiator and was pretty clearly stated in the first post. A e<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">asy to repair laptop where the display, battery, keyboard, and even the motherboard can be replaced onsite was. This is something that can’t be done with the chromebooks in our district at least. This would make it different than the other cheap laptops in the sea of cheap laptops and could make it stand out. I’d agree if it was another cheap cookie cutter laptop just with a different OS on it. </span></p>

  • wunderbar

    Premium Member
    15 November, 2021 - 1:38 pm

    <p>I mean, Surface Laptop and Surface Laptop Go don’t meet the "original vision" of the surface line either.</p><p><br></p><p>Visions, ideas, and product lines change.</p><p><br></p><p>I don’t know why the Surface Laptop SE exists either, But surface is just a brand name, and Microsoft is a very different company than it was when the first Surface Pro and RT hit the scene a decade ago. Things change.</p>

    • Sprtfan

      15 November, 2021 - 2:13 pm

      <p>I agree that the Surface Laptop and Go <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">(Also could easily say weren’t needed at the time with all of the other similar products available) </span>didn’t meet the original point of the Surface line . So say that those don’t instead of saying that the Surface Laptop SE doesn’t. That was my point. I’m not saying it is needed, just that it has more in common with the intended innovation that the majority of the rest of the Surface line has at least attempted on some level. </p><p>Microsoft’s goals and priorities obviously can and have changed since the RT came out, my post was about the reaction from people to the Surface Laptop SE and how it didn’t fit the line. The outlier would be the Surface Laptop. </p>

  • robincapper

    16 November, 2021 - 5:19 am

    <p>Who said netbooks were dead? No touch (understand why) means it isn’t a Surface, or even a ‘complete’ Windows machine, to me.</p>

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