Kano’s second-generation Windows 10 PC has a faster processor and USB-C

Kano is releasing a second-generation model of its Windows 10 PC, which maintains the price of $ 299.99 and the DIY touchscreen form factor, but offers a new faster processor and slightly updated design (including the addition of USB-C).

The overall form factor, a 2-in-1 convertible tablet with a pluggable keyboard that doubles as a protective case, is the same as last year’s model, but Kano has made major improvements to the internal hardware. The main difference is the leap from the old Intel Atom x5-Z8350 processor to a new Intel Celeron N4000, going from a 2W chip to a dramatically more powerful 6W processor.

The company now also promises a minimum of 10 hours of battery life on the new model, which is charged via USB-C. There are physical volume buttons on the side, Bluetooth 5.0, and a redesigned heatsink that should help with efficiency and performance.

Some things are not changing: The new model will continue to feature an 11.6-inch touchscreen, 64GB of eMMC storage, and 4GB of RAM. And just like the original version released last year, the second-generation Kano PC was developed in partnership with Microsoft and runs full Windows 10.

The new model is the continuation of Kano’s ambitions to expand into the computing education space. The company’s original buildable computers were based on Raspberry Pi modules and feature a more realistic assembly, but could only run Kano’s custom software on Linux. The new Windows 10 models sacrifice part of the assembly process that made the products more unique (all you really have to do is connect the speaker and the battery) in exchange for software that is much more useful than a real computer .

Enhanced specs on the new Kano PC model are key to those ambitions, as the company touts performance that’s on par with other entry-level laptops from companies like Acer or HP.

As for the software itself, Kano will continue to offer its own applications and tools for learning to code, with games, videos and the firm’s block-based coding system. There’s also an optional new subscription layer, Kano Club, which costs $ 4.99 per month or $ 39.99 per year. Membership includes guided video tutorials, access to Artopia (a shared drawing app) and new Kano beta apps.

Kano is also launching a new line of accessories that are meant to complement the new Kano PC: a pair of USB headphones and mouse (both assembled from its various components in typical Kano fashion), and a USB webcam ( That makes sense, given the increasing reliance on video conferencing platforms that even the youngest children are experiencing.)