In today’s evolving educational landscape, technology plays a crucial role in shaping learning outcomes. With the end of support for Windows 10 approaching in October 2025, it’s time for schools, colleges, and universities to consider upgrading to Windows 11 and embracing the next generation of Microsoft Surface devices. For IT decision-makers, this presents an opportunity to future-proof their institutions, improve learning environments, and streamline device management, all while maintaining the highest standards of security and performance.
Why Upgrade to Windows 11?
Windows 11 is specifically designed to enhance productivity, collaboration, and security across all education levels, from K-12 schools to higher education institutions. Key benefits include:
- Improved Security: With a 58% reduction in security incidents compared to Windows 10 Pro, Windows 11 offers enterprise-grade security that protects student data and institutional resources. The integration of TPM 2.0 and Windows Hello ensures password-free logins, making it faster and more secure for students and staff to access their devices.
- Seamless Collaboration: Integrated tools like Microsoft Teams enable virtual classrooms and hybrid learning environments, ensuring students and educators can connect from anywhere. Snap Layouts allow for better multitasking, essential for lesson planning, grading, and student engagement.
- Enhanced Performance: Windows 11 is optimised for the latest Surface devices, offering faster boot times and smoother transitions between applications. This allows educators to focus more on teaching and less on troubleshooting.
Empowering Learning with Microsoft Surface Devices
Microsoft Surface devices are designed to align with the needs of modern education. Whether in a school or a university setting, Surface provides the flexibility, power, and security required for various teaching and learning styles.
Surface Go 3: Perfect for Classrooms
For younger students and educators, the Surface Go 3 offers a lightweight, versatile device that transitions easily between tablet and laptop modes. With support for Microsoft Classroom Pen, students can write, draw, and take notes digitally, mimicking the feel of traditional pen and paper. This compact device is also rugged enough to withstand classroom life, and it features long battery life to last the entire school day.
Key Features for Classrooms:
- Full support for Windows 11’s inking capabilities with the Classroom Pen.
- Phone Signal options for students in areas with limited Wi-Fi access.
- Ruggedised cases for added protection and easy cleaning with disinfectants.
- Surface Laptop SE: Budget-Friendly and Purpose-Built for Education.
- Designed specifically for the education market, the Surface Laptop SE offers a budget-friendly, secure option for schools. It runs Windows 11 SE, a streamlined version of Windows 11 tailored for education, focusing on simplicity, speed, and security. This device offers everything students need without the distractions, making it easier for IT departments to manage in a school setting.
Key Features for Schools:
- Simplified management with Microsoft Intune for Education.
- Affordable pricing for large deployments without compromising performance.
- Lightweight design with up to 16 hours of battery life, ensuring students can work through the day without needing to recharge.
Surface Pro 9: Versatile for Higher Education
In colleges and universities, students and faculty need powerful, portable devices that adapt to their specific needs. The Surface Pro 9 offers the flexibility to switch between tablet, laptop, and studio modes, making it ideal for tasks ranging from research
to lectures and design projects. With 11th Gen Intel® Core™ processors and 120Hz PixelSense™ display, the Surface Pro 9 delivers powerful performance, allowing for smooth note-taking with the Surface Slim Pen 2, crystal-clear video calls, and seamless multitasking.
Key Features for Higher Education:
- Detachable keyboard and Surface Slim Pen 2 with haptic feedback for more intuitive, natural writing.
- 120Hz refresh rate for smoother scrolling and pen input during research, lecture preparation, or creative work.
- Enterprise-grade security, ensuring secure access to sensitive student and institutional data.
Surface Laptop Studio:
Ideal for Advanced Learning and Creative Courses. For university students and educators working in advanced fields like engineering, design, and media, the Surface Laptop Studio offers a powerful combination of graphics and performance. It’s perfect for running demanding software, such as CAD programs or video editing tools, with its NVIDIA GeForce RTX GPU and up to 32GB of RAM. The innovative hinge design allows students to switch between traditional laptop use, studio mode for sketching and drawing, and presentation mode, making it a versatile tool for any learning style.
Key Features for Higher Education:
- High-performance specs for students in creative or technical fields.
- Flexible modes for note-taking, presentations, and hands-on creative work.
- Long battery life and Windows 11 integration for uninterrupted learning sessions.
- Streamlined IT Management with Zero-Touch Deployment.
Deploying and managing devices across multiple schools, colleges, or universities can be a daunting task for IT departments. However, with Windows Autopilot and Microsoft Intune, Surface devices offer zero-touch deployment, allowing IT teams to configure and manage devices remotely. This reduces the need for hands-on management and ensures that every device is secure and up to date, from initial setup to everyday use.
Ensuring Student and Staff Safety
Windows 11’s advanced security features, including BitLocker encryption and Secure Boot, combined with Surface’s enterprise-grade security, provide peace of mind to IT administrators. These tools help safeguard sensitive student and institutional data, ensuring compliance with the UK’s GDPR regulations. For educators, biometric login with Windows Hello cuts down on wasted time, allowing more focus on teaching and student interaction.
