Microsoft's in the low as Chromebooks dominate classrooms, says study
Microsoft recently launched Windows 10 S and the Surface Laptop so as to compete against Google in the education market. However it now looks like most educators are considering sticking with the super popular Google Chromebooks than the Redmond software giant’s alternatives.
According to a study conducted by EdWeek, reports shows not only that Google Chromebooks are preferred by a big part of schools, but also that most educators plan to stick with this platform for the next-generation devices.
According to the study, over 42 percent of the educators stated they use Chromebooks in schools, while only 15 percent said they’re using PCs for the same tasks. Furthermore, Google’s education solutions and services are also widely adopted by schools, with 68 percent of the respondents citing Google services or Google Classroom as the most-used productivity tools.
Microsoft Office is again far behind with only 17 percent, while Apple barely exists with just 1 percent. 14 percent of the schools said they’re not using any of these products at all.
Windows 10 S is an operating system which has been specifically developed for schools, being limited to Windows Store apps for a more secure ecosystem. The Surface Laptop is Microsoft’s first device running this OS, though its price is very unlikely to make it a widely-adopted product in schools, as the most affordable version costs $999.
On the other hand, as part of its push for Windows 10 S, Microsoft is working with partners across the world to bring more affordable devices to the market, and Redmond said during its May 2 press conference that OEMs would launch laptops powered by this OS with a price tag as low as $189.
In the case of Chromebooks, the low price is without a doubt the main catalyst of the growth in education, so Microsoft is trying to embrace the same strategy for Windows 10 S with help from partners. The majority of Windows 10 S devices will become available in the summer, just in time for the new school year.
