What you need to know about Microsoft's new, sleek Windows (MSFT)

pulse

May 2, 2017 6:52 PM

Here's the differences between Windows 10 S and Windows 10 Pro.

On Tuesday, Microsoft unveiled Windows 10 S, a streamlined version of the operating system designed to take on Google's low-cost Chromebooks in the classroom. It's going to ship on a bunch of laptops intended for the student.

So what's the difference between the original-flavor Windows 10 and this new Windows 10 S?

The basic answer is: Not much. The actual experience looks to be very much the same between the two, from the Start menu, to the Cortana virtual assistant, to the focus on touchscreen and stylus features. When Windows 10-powered virtual reality headsets start hitting the market later this year, they'll support both versions, too.

Here are the major differences between the two, in bullet-point form:

upgrade to the full Windows 10 Pro for $49

Otherwise...yeah. Pretty much the same, apart from a different default desktop wallpaper.

The flagship Windows 10 S machine is the Surface Laptop, a new $999 gadget from Microsoft itself, shipping on June 15th. That's going to be our first real taste of Windows 10 S, so stay tuned.

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