Microsoft is working on a Surface ‘Sparti’ clamshell laptop that will be the latest offering to compete with Chromebooks. If you were wondering whether Microsoft would launch more Surface hardware, it looks like they will.
One of the new PCs that might be a headliner for the October 2020 virtual launch event is an Intel Core i5-based, 12.5-inch clamshell laptop, that has been codenamed ‘Sparti’.
Sparti is a Greek town known for its connection to the more famous Sparta. The laptop is going to have a 12.5-inch display and will retail at $500 to $600.
Competition for Chromebooks
Reportedly, it will have 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. The laptop will ship out with Windows 10 in S Mode, a version of Windows 10 that restricts users to Microsoft Store apps only.
However, users can upgrade for free. Sparti will not ship with Windows 10X because Microsoft is not ready to ship out this version of Windows 10. The availability of 10X on devices with a single screen will most likely be seen in the Spring of 2021.
Sparti is a part of Microsoft’s strategy to compete with Chromebooks.
A laptop for the education and business market
The Sparti model will most likely be targeted at the education market, though not exclusively. Currently, the Surface Go 2, a 10.5-inch two-in-one, is marketed for use in the education and business sector, mostly because of its portability and price. It starts at $450 for the model without a keyboard.
Microsoft has not invited the press or analysts to a virtual Surface event in the fall. Last year, the event was on October 2nd. They launched the Surface Laptop 3 (review), Surface Pro 7 (review), and Surface Pro X during the event.
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