The upcoming version of Windows that can only install applications from the Windows Store, Windows 10 Cloud, will be Microsoft’s latest attempt at locked-down devices, like Windows RT was back in the Windows 8.x days. The goal is to take on the Chromebook market, which is similarly locked down to Google Chrome and Google Play Store apps (although Google allows developer sideloading). To be fair to Windows 10 Cloud, it can be upgraded to Home or Pro to run Win32 applications for a fee, although that somewhat flies in the face of “streamlined, simpler experience” if you acknowledge a monetary value in unlocking the features you claim those users theoretically don’t want.
Image Credit: Windows Central
Preamble and opinion aside, it would seem that Microsoft is hoping to push OEMs into making decent devices. They are recommending a minimum specification of quad-core Celeron, 4GB of RAM, >40 Wh battery, and “fast eMMC or SSD” storage. This last note about “fast” eMMC amuses me, because it not-so-subtly telegraphs that cheap laptops, despite having technically solid state memory, don’t have a noticeably better experience than typical hard drives.
Microsoft is expected to discuss the initiative on May 2nd at their #MicrosoftEDU event.
quad-core Celeron? You mean
quad-core Celeron? You mean what was once called an Atom? Quad core or not, no thank you.
Not all Celerons use Atom
Not all Celerons use Atom cores, only Jxxx and Nxxx. Gxxx Celerons use a pair of full desktop cores (i.e. are non-hyperthreaded Pentiums).