Microsoft made a lot of noise when it announced the Surface Laptop SE for education, as the device features a special version of Windows 11 with unique features just for teachers, students, and IT administrators. That may make you interested in how it compares. Windows 11 SE vs. chrome book. In this guide, we will explain the differences.
By now you may be familiar with Windows 11 and the operating system differences on Chromebooks and even MacBooks. Windows 11 SE is the latest and greatest from Microsoft, with cool features like widgets, support for Android apps, and multitasking capabilities like Snap Layouts.
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Basics
When comparing Windows 11 SE to a Chromebook, there are a couple of key differences to keep in mind. First of all, the 11 SE is a special version that is designed for education users in grades K-8. It also exists as an option alongside Windows 11 Pro Education and Windows 11 Education.
Second, it’s a web-first operating system (compatible with Chrome and Edge) that only works with pre-approved essential educational apps. Third, you’ll find it only on select devices running Windows 11 SE.
Unlike Chromebooks, these Windows 11 SE devices cannot be purchased by consumers, but are intended for IT administrators to purchase through Microsoft education retail partners.
So if you’re a member of the general public, you should opt for a Chromebook, or consider buying a Windows 11 device like the Surface Go 3 and managing it with the features of Microsoft Family Safety.
It is important to note that Windows 11 SE cannot run on just any computer. You have to buy one that comes pre-installed. Microsoft has the Surface Laptop SE as its flagship device with the operating system pre-installed, but other devices are available through its partners.
As for IT administrators, Windows 11 SE is not a replacement for other Microsoft education products, so they can provide regular Windows 11 Pro Education or Windows 11 Education devices for use in schools if they choose.
However, Windows 11 SE has certain benefits for students in grades K-8 built into the software that you won’t get in other editions of Windows. Below is a comparative table of features.
Now back to Chromebooks, as long as your IT admin provisions and configures one as an education device with the Chrome admin console, it can be used in the classroom. You don’t need to buy a specific model to get started. Unlike Windows 11 SE, which only comes on certain models.
IT admins only need the Google for Education tools to get started, although a Windows IT admin can similarly provision regular Windows 11 Pro Education or Windows 11 Education devices.
On Chromebooks, these provisions may cut off access to features such as the Google Play Store, Android apps, and other features that are not approved for students on laptops running the Google operating system.
Layouts can be used to fit the system shelf with pre-anchored applications and services. Google also sells Chromebooks for Education specific to education, if institutions want this type of device.
Chromebook vs. Windows 11 SE devices
Hardware-wise, Windows 11 SE devices are physically up to par with what is expected of Chromebooks. They are very affordable, priced between $200 and $400.
They have low-end specs with Intel Celeron or Pentium processors and four to eight gigabytes of RAM. Some devices support drawing and touch, and others are just traditional-style laptops.
Again, though, Windows 11 SE devices can’t be purchased by end users like you and me. It’s not a consumer product like a Chromebook, but rather something that IT administrators buy and configure to make life easier for K-8 students.
Some of our favorite Windows 11 SE devices include the Surface Laptop SE, which is easily serviceable by IT managers thanks to its all-plastic construction.
There are other laptops, like the Asus BR1100F, which are very resistant and have 360-degree hinges and a camera that faces the world. The full list of Windows 11 SE devices is available through Microsoft.
On the Chromebook side, our favorites include the Asus Flip C434, and the Samsung Galaxy. Even the high-end Google Pixelbook Go is on our list. google has your own suggestions of educational devices that imitate Windows 11 SE.
Operating system: Windows 11 SE vs. Chrome OS
Windows 11 SE is special as it has some features that cater to students of all ages, it is a bit different from the operating system developed by Google in many aspects that we will see below.
In education, laptops with the Google operating system have access to the Chrome web browser and to web and Android applications. There are no real physical differences in the user interface from regular Chromebooks bought by anyone else.
Changes to the user interface of Windows 11 SE from the regular version of Windows 11 are adjustments to Snap layouts, Win32 and Microsoft Store apps, the Start menu, pre-installed apps, File Explorer, and widgets.
The difference with Snap Layouts is that instead of having 6 snap options for apps, there are only two to open windows side by side, so kids can focus better.
The start menu can also be customized with pre-pinned specific apps requested by teachers. As for File Explorer, it opens full screen by default. Finally, for widgets, the feature to minimize distractions has been removed.
Like Chromebooks and G-suite for Education, Windows 11 SE is also web-based. So a student can save files offline, and then have them synced to their school account when they’re back online. This is powered by OneDrive.
As for Win32 and Microsoft Store apps, normal computer users cannot install them on Windows 11 SE. Programs like Zoom and Google Chrome must be installed by an IT administrator on a Windows 11 SE device through Microsoft Intune.
This is comparable to Chromebook provisions for app installation that can be configured in the Chrome Admin Console. It’s all about student safety and security with Windows 11 SE.
At Microsoft there is a list of pre-approved apps, and IT administrators can ask Microsoft to add an app, as long as it meets the requirements. It’s similar to how the settings on a Chromebook can block certain websites, apps, and even the Play Store.
All of this means that Windows 11 SE devices are heavily web-based, just like Chromebooks. Although an IT administrator can provision Win32 apps and the Microsoft Store, many students may spend more time in the web browser.
This is how a Chromebook works. It’s just that Windows 11 SE feels different from Windows 11 and has some additional limits over the regular original version and is specially designed for education users.
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