Windows 10 Cloud hardware specs leak

Microsoft's not-yet-officially unveiled -- Windows 10 Cloud operating system is likely going to be unveiled on Microsoft's May 2, 2017 event in New York City.

While we will have to wait another week to find out whether that is indeed the case or not, Windows 10 Cloud hardware specs and performance targets were leaked online recently on Windows Central.

Windows 10 Cloud, according to rumors, is Microsoft's answer to Google's Chromebook. Designed specifically to compete with Google in education, rumors have it that it will be a low-cost device that will run well on hardware that regular versions of Windows 10 don't run that well on.

Read: our first impression of Windows 10 Cloud

Windows 10 Cloud hardware specs

Microsoft's performance targets for Chromebook competitor highlight what the company wants manufacturers to deliver. It wants its Windows 10 Cloud devices to compete on an eye to eye level with Chromebook's battery life, and resume, and come close to the cold boot, first-sign in and consecutive sign-in times of devices powered by Google's Chrome OS.

As far as minimum hardware specs are concerned, they hold some surprises considering that Microsoft needs to compete with Google in performance and price:

• Quad-core (Celeron or better) CPU.
• 4 Gigabytes of RAM.
• 32 Gigabytes of storage for 32-bit, 64 Gigabytes for 64-bit.
• Battery larger than 40 WHr (WattHour).
• Fast eMMC or SSD storage.
• Optional pen and touch support.

How does this compare to regular versions of Windows 10?

• Processor with at least 1 GHz
• 1 Gigabyte of RAM for 32-bit, 2 Gigabytes for 64-bit.
• 16 Gigabytes of hard drive space for 32-bit, 32 Gigabytes for 64-bit versions of Windows 10.
• A DirectX 9 or higher compatible graphics card with WDDM 1.0 drivers.
• A 800x600 display.

And Google's Chrome OS?

Google does not list minimum requirements for its Chrome operating system.  If you check out the devices that are available currently, you will notice the following minimum specs:

• Intel Celeron processor or comparable.
• 2 Gigabytes of RAM.
• 16 Gigabyte of SSD storage

It is interesting to note that Microsoft's Windows 10 Cloud operating system requires better hardware than Windows 10 in some areas. Most notable RAM and storage.

On the processor side, Windows 10 will run on ARM processors eventually as well which should boost battery life and reduce the cost of devices.

Windows 10 Cloud may look an awful lot like Windows RT on first glance. Microsoft launched Windows RT alongside Windows 8, but has not really mentioned the operating system since the launch of Windows RT 8.1. The company's is still pushing out patches for Windows RT, but that is about it.

One of the points of criticism in regards to Windows RT was that users could only use the apps that shipped with the operating system, Internet services and apps, and what was available in Windows Store at the time.

This is similar to how Windows 10 Cloud operates, but with two notable differences.

1. The Windows Store has matured a lot, and UWP applications deliver a better user experience on average. This includes options to run legacy Windows programs that were converted to run as Windows 10 apps. (hacks may circumvent that restriction)
2. Windows 10 Cloud comes with an option to upgrade the operating system to a Windows 10 Home or Pro license.

Closing Words

Microsoft wants to establish a Chromebook competitor, especially in the US, a market where Google has been conquering the Education sector with its low-cost Chrome OS powered devices.

It remains to be seen how well this is going to work out for Microsoft. While Windows 10 Cloud looks to be better in all aspects than Windows RT, price, battery life and functionality will determine whether the operating system will have a chance to break Google's domination in the niche.

Now You: Will Microsoft's Windows 10 Cloud do better than Windows RT?