Microsoft Might Have Reason to Fear Chromebooks After All

[Turk]

Late last year, we wondered why Microsoft was seemingly wasting its time bashing Chromebooks, the low-cost browser-based laptops that have barely registered in consumer sales figures. However, Fortunes Michael Helft writes that Chromebooks have the potential to give Microsoft major headaches in one of its important markets: Schools. In particular, Helft says that his sons school district has started buying up Chromebooks instead of PCs and he says that theyre delivering some real advantages.

Its not hard to see why our PTA and the school district opted for Chromebooks, he explains. Sure, they dont have Office. But they do have the free Google Docs, which is an easy-to-use alternative and sufficient for most tasks required of elementary school students. As for the lack of Windows or for that matter MacOS thats actually an asset for the cost-sensitive school environment. The machines boot up immediately, they can be shared easily amongst students, they never have to be upgraded or backed up, and they are always up to date.

This is particularly interesting because it shows that Microsofts attempt to paint Chromebooks as mere toys might not be as effective as the company thinks. Sure, Chromebooks might not have all the high-end productivity tools that Windows PCs have but do first graders really need the full versions of Excel and PowerPoint preloaded onto their machines? It seems that what Google has done is address certain pain points that schools have with Windows machines namely, their maintenance costs in a way that Microsoft is having a hard time responding to.

http://bgr.com/2014/01/03/chromebook-school-sales-analysis

[jackieo]

LOWEST COMMON DENOMINATOR IS THE MORON. WELCOME TO CHROMEBOOK - THE MORON OF COMPUTERS - MADE FOR SHEEPLE

[Airstream_Bill]

I would have to say I do not think that Chrome Books would be very popular for the norm of computer users, but then again they are selling Bottled Water. I wish I had though of selling Bottled Water. I can not believe people buy Bottled Water so they may sell to the ignorant public.