Microsoft Classroom Pen 2 Arrives Next Week

Microsoft announced today that its new low-cost smartpen, the Classroom Pen 2, is launching next week, on April 27.

“Microsoft Classroom Pen 2 is optimized for use with Surface Go and Surface Pro and enables students of all ages to write and draw naturally on their screens via an improved design and longer enclosure,” Microsoft’s Lauren Ryland writes. “The durable pen tip is replaceable, and it’s easy to prevent loss with a built-in slot for a tether or the clip that attaches to Surface Type Covers. And even with those improvements, the Classroom Pen 2 is only half the cost of the original.”

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Microsoft describes Classroom Pen 2 as a “reimagining” of the original Classroom Pen, which was launched in early 2019. But it appears to be more of a cost-reduced version, and it now features a built-in slot that can be used with a tether or a clip. It more closely resembles the standard Surface Pen than did the previous version, too.

Microsoft Classroom Pen 2 will be available only to education institutions beginning April 27, 2021. It is sold in packs of 20 for a cost of about $400, or about $20 per pen, along with batteries and replacement pen tips.

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Conversation 6 comments

  • bulls96

    21 April, 2021 - 6:19 pm

    <p>Wish they made these available to the general public. My kids go thru the surface pens too often!</p>

  • hrlngrv

    Premium Member
    21 April, 2021 - 6:20 pm

    <p>Cynic that I readily admit I am, I gotta wonder what the profit margin is at US$400 for a pack of 20.</p><p>Sure, MSFT is a business and should make profits. Whether it should be doing so from cash-poor primary and secondary schools is less certain. Tangent: I can't see these in higher ed/college/university.</p><p>How easy is it to recharge the batteries or how cheap is it to replace them?</p>

    • faustxd9

      Premium Member
      22 April, 2021 - 10:17 am

      <blockquote><em><a href="#624253">In reply to hrlngrv:</a></em></blockquote><p>I agree that this is still "expensive" but at $20 a pen, it is much less expensive than even the "normal" pen and it is not just a "plastic" tube with a rubber nubbin but I can't find anyone reporting the production cost of each pen.</p><p><br></p><p>These generally use AAAA batteries and those are as low as $0.84 a piece. The challenge is that no one has these just laying around unless you specifically have this use case. </p>

  • angusmatheson

    22 April, 2021 - 12:53 am

    <p>The $100 surface pen already feels plasticky and cheap. I shudder to think what these feel like.</p>

  • nbplopes

    22 April, 2021 - 2:41 am

    <p>This is a good move. Digital pens should not cost 100 times more than a regular pen. It does not deliver 100 times more. When this happens the conclusion is either utterly over priced or a niche product … both mean the same.</p>

  • IanYates82

    Premium Member
    22 April, 2021 - 5:29 pm

    <p>They should at least also offer this to business. Keep the high 20-pen/pack requirement. That'd be fine.</p><p><br></p><p>To still avoid low cost product for consumers they could offer a 4 pack or something for $100.</p><p><br></p><p>Id be happy to use these and not stress about losing it. Replacing the batteries in my SP3 pen is expensive anyway – two types in there! Australia's major surface retailer wouldn't believe me it also had small button batteries in the very top of the pen that powered the button behaviour. </p><p>Weird batteries are expensive! </p>

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