Microsoft is unaware that students need a reliable device, this also means a stable OS which they can’t offer.
Microsoft has a new idea on how to deter students from MacBook Neo - 9to5Mac
Submitted 3 weeks ago by ryujin470@fedia.io to technology@beehaw.org
https://9to5mac.com/2026/04/15/microsoft-has-a-new-idea-on-how-to-deter-students-from-macbook-neo/
Comments
MattR@feddit.org 3 weeks ago
Steve@communick.news 3 weeks ago
Windows is remarkably stable. Has been for many years.
SteevyT@beehaw.org 3 weeks ago
When fucking File Explorer freezes a CAD machine for several minutes at a time resulting in explorer.exe crashing and restarting multiple times a day I’d say it’s not as stable as I got used to. Several of us at the place I work at have been dealing with this, although it has been getting better, it never should have happened in the first place.
PabloSexcrowbar@piefed.social 3 weeks ago
Then why do they keep having to roll back what seems like every update they release due to some major bug?
dosse91@lemmy.trippy.pizza 3 weeks ago
I sincerely hope you’re trolling.
I teach computer science and windows has been the biggest source of problems I’ve had in the last five years: I’ve seen defender delete their programs when compiling them, I’ve seen it delete gcc because it thought it was malware, I’ve seen it do forced updates in the middle of a test, I’ve seen updates break tools like compilers and servers that needed to be reinstalled on a daily basis, I’ve seen onedrive make some of their files inaccessible, I’ve seen updates break their wifi, I’ve seen it take upwards of 10 minutes to log into our AD domain, the list of problem goes on.
These days windows is a piece of shit, especially if you’re a developer. I’m basically forced to have them either install linux or do all their development in wsl, and it fucking sucks.
Janx@piefed.social 3 weeks ago
“has been” is right, lol
hazelnoot@beehaw.org 3 weeks ago
it was stable, up until a few years ago. But starting when MS scaled back their QA department (Windows 10 era IIRC) - and worsening when they went all-in on AI (Windows 11 era), stability and reliability has fallen off a cliff. I started tracking crashes and problems that required manual intervention, and over the last two years I’ve spent more hours debugging and fixing Windows 11 than Xubuntu. This is the first time in my life where Linux has required less maintenance than a stock Windows installation. It’s bad enough that I advised all my non-technical family members to stay on Windows 10 instead of upgrading to Windows 11, despite the lack of support.
irvinefantasyno@beehaw.org 3 weeks ago
Lmao what in the world
Powderhorn@beehaw.org 3 weeks ago
This is an idiotic counter to the Neo. Microsoft is in a position it’s not faced before: Macs are cheaper than PCs. Offering a year of “free services” doesn’t change the fact that Surfaces start at more than twice what Apple has on offer.
doleo@lemmy.one 3 weeks ago
college students in the US can score 12 months free of Microsoft 365 Premium and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate with the purchase of an eligible PC, plus a free custom Xbox controller.
Saved you a click
Midnitte@beehaw.org 3 weeks ago
Which is really funny because most (all?) students get 365 free from their school already
stoy@lemmy.zip 3 weeks ago
Ok, so students can select either:
- A computer that they can study, work, (light) game, edit photos, and do much more on, without a digital use by date.
- An admittedly excellent office suite, a collection of games, for a limited time, and an Xbox controller, but only if they buy a specific computer.
Yeah, nah Microsoft, nah.
Asetru@feddit.org 3 weeks ago
An admittedly excellent office suite
Every time some colleague uses office and I’m forced to hop on as well it feels like my whole workflow just grinds to a halt and there’s nothing that I’d want more than to throw my laptop out the window… There’s not much else that I hate with the same passion like ms Office. “Admittedly excellent”? What?
without a digital use by date
What? Apple just drops devices at some point.
nocturne@slrpnk.net 3 weeks ago
The subscriptions are only available to new subscribers.
Midnitte@beehaw.org 3 weeks ago
Or just a Framework and install Linux, skip Microslop
Jrockwar@feddit.uk 3 weeks ago
The only thing is that the 8GB Framework 12 is a bit more expensive than the (8GB) MacBook Neo, and if you get it to 16GB it starts getting close to MacBook Air territory. But if you can sacrifice the nice build quality and nice screen plus spend some extra £, you can get Linux and a repairable laptop.
In any case: Windows is just not a value proposition anymore. Why pay extra to deal with Intel, MS and Copilot?
PabloSexcrowbar@piefed.social 3 weeks ago
To be fair to Framework, the 12 is a 2-in-1 with a touchscreen, which is not something that’s currently offered on any of Apple’s laptops and at least partially accounts for the extra cost. Of course, economies of scale play a part, as well.
prole@lemmy.blahaj.zone 3 weeks ago
To be fair, Frameworks are way more expensive.
I have one, and love it, but I’m pretty sure it’s the most I’ve ever spent on a piece of tech.
Midnitte@beehaw.org 3 weeks ago
But you also own the device, can upgrade and repair it, and you arent the product.
Totally worth that up front cost imo
Janx@piefed.social 3 weeks ago
Wow. A controller for the gaming ecosystem they’re letting die, and temporary access to their online (worse) office suite programs along with Game Pass access (also temporary). Where do I sign up!?
slacktoid@lemmy.ml 3 weeks ago
Lmao thanks for saving me a read. That’s so trash