Exactly, these are single purpose laptops for education.
And I do believe that google docs has an offline mode now. So they can work offline for a limited period (at least).
And how does this 1000 USD compete with 250 USD boxes?
And how does this 1000 USD compete with 250 USD boxes?
That is to say, I'm sure Microsoft has data that "shows" these will be cheaper to administrate and support than Chromebooks. Combine that with all the software you can install, or offline workflows, etc and Microsoft comes out on top (according to Microsoft).
It's how Microsoft has always done things. I'm not here saying it's right or wrong, I'm just trying to answer your question.
With phones, tablets, and now cheap school laptops, their timing didn't allow that. Google has already succeeded with the classic Microsoft strategy, all the way down to commoditizing the hardware vendors. Microsoft is instead coming in as a semi-premium option, combined with inertia/safety as a brand trusted by enterprises. The same play is a bit more successful in cloud computing, but they're still losing to AWS who are nailing the classic Microsoft strategy. Assuming they continue to decline in their ability to rapid-follow in new technology platforms, I expect they'll look more and more like Oracle and IBM.