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Microsoft Targets Google and Apple in Schools With 'Surface Plus' Hardware Subscription Program (geekwire.com)

Posted by msmash on from the education-space dept.

An anonymous reader shares a report: Microsoft is launching a new subscription program for buying Surface computers and tablets in much the same way that many people now purchase smartphones, with no-interest financing for two years and the ability to upgrade to a new device before the term is up. Announced this morning at the launch of back-to-school season, the initiative is part of a broader push by Microsoft to gain new momentum in U.S. schools, where Google Chromebooks have taken the lead vs. Microsoft and Apple. Microsoft's new subscription program, called Surface Plus, will be available starting later today through the Microsoft Store in person and online. Microsoft's Surface Laptop, Surface Pro, Surface Book and Surface Studio are all options under the program. The program lets participants upgrade to a new machine after 18 months when they return their existing hardware in good condition. In addition to Surface Plus for students and consumers, Microsoft is offering a variation called Surface Plus for Business with the option to buy multiple machines under a single agreement, and the ability to finance a 55-inch Surface Hub as part of the agreement. The business version of the program also includes upgrade rights, with the timing of the upgrade depending on the length of the agreement. The fine print: an interest rate of 19.99% kicks in after 24 months.

11 of 51 comments (clear)

  1. pre-installed with Windows 10 S and not education? by Joe_Dragon · · Score: 2

    So can you upgrade to full windows 10 or does that void the deal?

    windows 10 education can run non store apps and can be more locked down (GPO's, disable tracking, AD, wsus, 3rd party antivirus and patching systems)

  2. Hmmm. by Obfuscant · · Score: 5, Interesting
    Nice clickbait. Yawn.

    I went to look at the details. Not much out of line to see here. Selling computers with a payment plan. Zero percent interest is good, I don't see the problem there.

    Here's where there is a problem. You go to the MS sales site where you get to select what you want. There's a "subtotal" shown on the page where you select options. "$799". As you select CPU, memory, etc, that subtotal does not change. Cool -- I7 for the same price as an M3, 16Gb same as 8Gb, etc. Then you get to the next page. Wham. Subtotal: $2699. Dell somehow manages the magic of keeping the price updated as you configure their systems, but MS cannot figure that out? How dishonest can you get? Ok, it's MS, this isn't unexpected, and it could get worse.

    The fine print: an interest rate of 19.99% kicks in after 24 months.

    This isn't a problem. They tell you in advance, and the payment plan runs for only 24 months. You'll have paid this off by the time any interest would start, unless you don't make your payments. Well, the $33/month listed for the $799 system results in only $792 after 24 months, so you add $7 to the last payment and there is no interest.

    1. Re:Hmmm. by Obfuscant · · Score: 2

      Or miss just one payment and 19.99% kicks in retroactively.

      Actually, if you read the terms and conditions, you will see, under "Purchase-Specific Promotions -- Planned Payments Purchases" the following clause:

      For Planned No Interest Payments Purchases, we will not charge any interest during the promotional period. You have the obligation to pay each Monthly Planned Payment by the applicable Payment Due Date during the promotional period and pay the Purchase balance in full by the Expiration Date. If any balance remains after the Expiration Date, such balance will be treated as Standard Balance and the Standard APR will apply to such balance.

      That seems to contradict your claim of retroactive interest for any missed payments. At the end of the 24 month promotional period, any remaining balance will be charged interest, but according to this, nothing before that.

      Not a problem, as all interest will be forgiven if you trade it in for the new Windows 11

      I don't see that in the terms and conditions. What I do see is that you can upgrade after 18 months and get another loan under the terms at that time. Eighteen months is still within the promotional, no-interest period, so there will be nothing to forgive. What might not be forgiven is missing payments, and Klarna might not agree to the new loan.

    2. Re:Hmmm. by oneneo · · Score: 2

      The subtotal updated for me in real-time actually, as expected.

  3. Debt bondage by PPH · · Score: 2

    From TFA:

    The fine print: an interest rate of 19.99% kicks in after 24 months.

    Poor student right in the middle of an education is looking at major financing charges starting to pile up. Or, you could trade up and your debt will be forgiven (or postponed?).

    Once you are here, you can never leave. Mua-ha-ha-ha-ha!

    --
    Have gnu, will travel.
  4. Re:Do we need computers in schools. by puddingebola · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Agree with this completely. Which has greater impact on education, 5000 new computers or one good math teacher? If you wanted to teach children to code you could do it on an IBM XT from 1984. As you pointed out, maybe educators save on materials by going digital instead of paying for textbooks, but as to a computer's educational value, depends entirely on the teacher and what they are teaching.

  5. Re:Do we need computers in schools. by gweihir · · Score: 2

    Actually, current research says that the educational benefit of computers i the classroom seems to be significantly negative. For books, which is one point I agree on, an e-book reader would be the ting to use.

    --
    Most ACs are not even worth the keystrokes to insult them. Be generically insulted by this and ignored otherwise.
  6. Re:Do we need computers in schools. by bondsbw · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Why compare a math teacher to 5000 laptops? In one year, a math teacher costs roughly the same as 50 low-end Surface Laptops.

    --
    All my liberal friends think I'm a conservative, all my conservative friends think I'm a liberal.
  7. Re:Do we need computers in schools. by gweihir · · Score: 2

    Pretty wrong. Note taking works much better in paper, the recall values are much, much better. Learning to code? In school? Forget it. and "etc..." just means you are one of these believers in "technology fixes everything". It does not. It makes some things easier, which is, in most cases, not desirable during education.

    --
    Most ACs are not even worth the keystrokes to insult them. Be generically insulted by this and ignored otherwise.
  8. Re: Do we need computers in schools. by TimMD909 · · Score: 2

    Carrying books is the closest thing some students get to exercise these days... also books handle being dropped a lot easier.

  9. Restricted Boot refuses to even load GRUB by tepples · · Score: 2

    It's an Intel processor, why can't you put Linux on it? Will Linux not support the Surface hardware?

    "Restricted Boot" is a term used by the Free Software Foundation to refer to UEFI Secure Boot shipped in a configuration that a PC's owner cannot disable or customize. A PC with Restricted Boot will refuse to even load GRUB.

    The terms under which Microsoft licensed Windows RT to OEMs required devices to use Restricted Boot. Windows 10 S is seen as a spiritual successor to Windows RT because like Windows RT, Windows 10 S can run only applications from Windows Store. I haven't tried any Windows 10 S devices myself, but I'd be surprised if Microsoft allowed GNU/Linux to boot on a PC that ships with Windows 10 S, as opposed to having to pay $50 for an upgrade to Windows 10 Pro to use WSL.