Microsoft is launching a new pen for use in the classroom: The Pen for Class 2. The pen will be available on April 27 and will be sold directly to schools.
The company launched its first Classroom pen in 2019. That pen sold for $ 39.99 per unit. It was compatible with any device that supports the MPP protocol (including a number of non-Surface Windows devices).
Microsoft has an even bigger budget with this version. Pen 2 will be sold to schools in packs of 20 for $ 399.80, which amounts to $ 19.99 per pen. According to the post on the Microsoft blog, however, it seems that this pen can only be optimized for Microsoft Surface Pro and Surface Go devices – other Windows devices are not mentioned.
Microsoft claims that the device has an “improved design” compared to the previous model, although the announcement does not have many specifics. It seems that the Pen 2 pen has a different color and has a pen clip to be attached to a surface type cover. The company also says the new device has a longer housing “to optimize grip strength.” Sure.
Like its predecessor, the Pen 2 seems to have two buttons. It also shares some class-specific features with the Class Pen: it comes with replacement tips and has a slot through which teachers can go through a string to tie the pen to a Surface device.
The launch is part of Microsoft’s long-standing effort to challenge Chromebooks in education. (These devices had the best year of 2020 as many students around the world began attending home classes.)
Microsoft has worked with partners such as Acer, Dell and Lenovo to launch dozens of Windows computers under $ 500 in recent years, along with updates to Microsoft teams that are tailored for classroom use. Pen holders can be a must for students who want to draw graphics and take notes on their laptops, and the widespread distribution of surface pens could certainly save teachers some paper and ink. And if you’re an ordinary Joe like me, who really wants to play with a $ 20 pen, it’s time to make friends with some neighborhood teachers.