Reportedly, Microsoft has partnered with Kano, a London-based startup, that specializes in building build-your-own PC DIY kits for the kids. The two companies have joined their hands to bring a DIY touchscreen laptop for its little users, that will be running the Windows 10S.
Windows 10S is the lighter version of the Windows 10, and it will be the first time that any of the Kano computers will be operating a Windows OS. Though using the Windows 10S will restrict Kano laptop to run apps only from Microsoft. Previously, Kano laptops ran the Raspberry Pi 3s OS and the OS from Kano itself.
The new Windows-based Kano PC is a laptop/tablet, which is a similar version of most of the Microsoft’s Surface PCs, but having a transparent back on its 11.6” screen. The screen of the laptop is a touch screen, and the transparent back shows the components of the upper flap of the laptop.
The laptop comes into detachable pieces, such that the kids will need to assemble the entire system themselves. The laptop is empowered with the 1.44 GHz Intel Atom x5-Z8350 quad-core processor, supporting a 4GB RAM, and 64GB of eMMC storage. The laptop also supports expending the storage with the help of microSD card. It also has got an HDMI port, microphone, detachable speakers, headphone jack, and 2 ports for USB extensions. The laptop also renders support for WiFi and Bluetooth for connectivity.
Since the kids will need to assemble the laptop by themselves, the company has provided a storybook kind of instruction manual for the kids, on how to attach the parts of the PC together and make the experience even more interesting.
The company has included some educational apps to the laptop, including ‘How Computers Work’, in order to teach the kids more about coding and computing. Other applications that are included in the PC are some educational apps from Minecraft, Microsoft’s 3D Paint and Pong-based game development apps. The kids will also be able to create 3d models and learn binary codes, with the help of Kano PCs.
Kano is known for bringing computing DIY kits for the kids, and it has already launched various famous DIY kits, including Harry Potter-themed coding kit with the wand and a computer running a Kano OS operating system. The new Windows-based Kano PCs have been made available for preorders on Kano’s official website and also at the Microsoft Store for a price $299.99 and £299.99. These PC kits will go live on sale in the US and UK starting from Oct 21.
Yashica is a Software Engineer turned Content Writer, who loves to write on social causes and expertise in writing technical stuff. She loves to watch movies and explore new places. She believes that you need to live once before you die. So experimenting with her life and career choices, she is trying to live her life to the fullest.