Windows in S-mode?

I want to buy a new laptop… Well, the laptop is available in the normal Windows version for 600 euro and with Windows S mode for 400 euro… Why is the price so different when the model is the same? Is there a difference between the Windows modes?

Windows "S" is a severely restricted version of Windows in which you can't install any software but are limited to what the app store offers you.

This makes the licenses for the manufacturers much cheaper. This restriction (if not "nudge" - depending on your view) will be sold to you as "security".

In S mode, only apps from the Windows Store can be installed. He is safer and should be faster. As soon as you want to install classic programs, this is no longer in S mode.

But: you can leave the S mode for free. Then you have a full Windows.

Not to be confused is the S mode of Windows 10 Home or Pro with the limited, but now discontinued version Windows 10 S. From there a free change to a "correct" Windows is not possible.

Here is the official Microsoft guide to switch off the S mode for free:

https://support.microsoft.com/...-of-s-mode

Such "cheap editions" have been around for a long time… They were just called differently:

XP: "Starter"

Vista: "Starter"

7: "Basic"

8: "Windows 8 with Bing"

10: "Windows S"

All had various limitations (from device configurations that are allowed to the maximum to software limits / usage restrictions as currently)

Windows 10 in S mode is not Windows 10 S. Switching to a proper Windows is free for Windows 10 in S mode:

https://support.microsoft.com/...-of-s-mode

Windows 10 Home in S mode 64-bit
Windows 10 Home 64-bit

This is in the description of the laptops

If you need a normal Windows, you can easily convert it into a real Windows 10 Home using the steps described above by deactivating S Mode. I would not make the purchase decision dependent on this.