Microsoft Debuts New Low-Cost Laptops and 'Classroom Pen' For Schools (geekwire.com)

Microsoft is doubling down on the education market, a competitive arena for the world's largest tech giants, with a series of new low-cost laptops and tools to help students and teachers work together. From a report: At the BETT education conference in London Tuesday, Microsoft unveiled seven new laptops and two-in-one tablets made by partners like Lenovo, Dell and Acer and a new Microsoft Classroom Pen designed for the smaller hands of kids. Starting at $189, the low-cost devices are designed to stand up to tough treatment of being dragged around in a backpack everyday. The seven new devices showcased today are: Lenovo 100e -- priced from $189, Lenovo 300e (2-in-1) -- priced from $289, Lenovo 14w -- priced from $299, Acer TravelMate B1(B118-M) -- priced from $215, Acer TravelMate Spin B1 (B118-R/RN) -- priced from $299, Acer TravelMate B1-114 -- priced from $319, and Dell Latitude 3300 for Education -- priced from $299. The pen is priced at $40.

Comments

But can it run Linux?

[Anonymous Coward]

The hardware looks nice, but I would like to opt-out from Microsoft indoctrination...

Can I run Linux on these (or any of the BSDs for that matter, even MacOS-X would be better)? Otherwise, they're just baggage my kid doesn't need.

Wasting people's time while making money!

[bogaboga]

While there's been a number of articles touting the benefits of technology in the classroom, the disadvantages are immense and not worth the investment That's why, pupils from the so called 3rd world thrive when they come over to "technologically advanced" classroom environments. They demonstrate an understanding of the academics better.

This leads me to one conclusion: Nothing beats the old fashioned [pen and paper] way of learning.

Microsoft cannot agree with me on this. Heck, they want to sell more and more gadgets. They want to make money, and lots of it. I will point those who support technology to debunk this piece