Google makes the grade with Chromebooks at 51% of devices deployed in schools

[Jeff Causey]

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In a new report from Futuresource Consulting, it has been revealed that Google Chromebook devices now make up over half of the computer devices deployed in U.S. classrooms. As recently as 2012, Google only held 1% of the education market, so the growth has been “shocking” as described by Forrester analyst J.P. Gownder. In just 2015, Google Chromebooks have accounted for 4.4 million of 8.9 millions devices sold to schools and school districts through the third quarter, which translates to 30,000 new devices being activated every single day.

The big loser in the market with this move to Chromebooks is Apple. The Cupertino headquartered company saw its market share fall from 52 percent to 24 percent. The other big player in the education market, Microsoft, saw its share fall from 43 percent to 24 percent.

The education market is considered one of the few bright spots for the industry right now. Recently the market for PCs and tablet devices has been in a decline, but school districts continue to purchase large volumes. Perhaps more important for the major platform competitors, students who achieve a level of comfort in a particular ecosystem through schoolwork and in the classroom may be more likely to purchase something similar when they get out on their own.

One of Google’s major advantages in the education market has been the low price point for Chromebook devices, generally in the $200 to $300 range. Offerings from other companies have often been double that, although Microsoft appears to be poised to push device costs down to be competitive with Google. Meanwhile, Apple is working on plans to target teachers and to retain their dominant position at the collegiate level.

Along with the increasingly dominant position for Google, the company is getting some extra scrutiny as well. This week a spat has opened up between Google and the EFF over the Chrome Sync feature found in Chromebooks and the Chrome browser.

source: CNBC


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