Windows is finally hitting back at Chrome OS in the Education market. Following the downfall of Windows in the education sector, Microsoft recently started focusing on the market to gain back its market share from Chrome OS with the launch of Windows 10 S. The company today touted the “strong” growth of Windows PCs in the education sector in the United States and worldwide.
Windows device market share grew by 4.3% for sub $300 devices in the United States in K-12 schools, while devices over $300 saw an 8.2% increase from last quarter. The growth of Windows isn’t effectively “strong” yet, as Microsoft would need to continue the trend in the following quarters if it actually wants to take over Chrome OS — at least in the States where Chrome OS still holds 59.8% of the market.
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Microsoft is actually citing the data from a recent report from analytics firm Futuresource, which claims Chrome OS experienced the slowest growth ever last quarter, with the market share shifting from 57.9% from Q2 2017 to 59.8% in the United States. Apple’s iOS and Mac devices have also experienced a steep decline over the last quarter in the United States, losing 6.1% and 0.1% share of the market respectively.
As for the rest of the world, Windows continues to dominate the education sector with 66.5% of the market (up from 57.1%). Windows’ growth — mostly led by increased sales in India and Argentina — means Chrome OS lost a good portion of the market, dropping by roughly 10% over a single quarter.
The growth for Windows was likely led by the recent launch of Windows 10 S and affordable Windows laptops that promise to offer improved security and a streamlined deployment experience for IT Pros in schools. Microsoft expects the education market to grow by 15% YoY worldwide, which should help boost Windows 10 S and its other solutions for the education market. But being able to keep up the growth in the US should be a priority for Redmond.
skane2600
<blockquote><a href="#224873"><em>In reply to hrlngrv:</em></a></blockquote><p>Yes, the article seems more promotional than analytical. </p>
Stooks
<p>"<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">The growth for Windows was likely led by the recent launch of Windows 10 S"</span></p><p><br></p><p>Umm yeah…maybe. We would all love to see those real numbers but we never will. </p><p><br></p><p>The growth is probably led by the fact that ChromeOS and Chromebook pretty much SUCK! My kid's schools use Windows 10, not S and two out of 3 of those kids use Google Doc's/Classroom/email. They have Photoshop classes and such which will never work on a Chromebook. The other kid's school is pure Microsoft, Windows/Office/OneDrive.</p>
skane2600
<p>Without sales figures any conclusions based on Windows 10 S adoption are just speculation. </p>
skane2600
<blockquote><a href="#224950"><em>In reply to hrlngrv:</em></a></blockquote><p>I don't disagree with your characterization of the article being overoptimistic, but the definition of "speculation" doesn't require rationality: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/speculating</p>
skane2600
<blockquote><a href="#224967"><em>In reply to hrlngrv:</em></a></blockquote><p>I don't see any definitions you listed that claim "speculation" requires "some rational basis". </p>
skane2600
<blockquote><a href="#225068"><em>In reply to hrlngrv:</em></a></blockquote><p>Look up idiosyncratic.</p>
Bats
<blockquote><a href="#224965"><em>In reply to VancouverNinja:</em></a></blockquote><p>You do realize that PCs can be made into Chromebooks right? Why go thru the hassle of the Windows environment, when you can have peace of mind using an easy to use nonWindows machine?</p>
Hifihedgehog
<p>Since I am a non-premium member, I will reply to the article here. Thurrott wrote:</p><p><br></p><p><strong>“Can Windows 10 S on ARM run x86 apps?</strong></p><p>No, unless they’re built into Windows. Otherwise, you have to upgrade to Windows 10 Pro. When you do, you can install and run apps like Chrome, iTunes, Photoshop, and the like.”</p><p><br></p><p>From what I understand, this is only partially true. Correct me if I am wrong, but I was of the understanding that Project Centennial x86 applications also work on Windows 10 S (ARM) via Windows on ARM emulation. So iTunes (coming soon), Krita, Kodi, EarTrumpet, etc., all on the Microsoft Store app, are therefore still installable on an ARM-based Windows 10 S device.</p>
skane2600
<blockquote><a href="#224997"><em>In reply to Hifihedgehog:</em></a></blockquote><p>I don't know if you're right or not, but keep in mind that Centennial was introduced in the context of Intel based PCs running full Windows. It was promoted as the first step for converting a traditional Windows program into a UWP app. </p><p><br></p><p>Also consider that if Win32 emulation is available on Windows 10 S (ARM) without an upgrade, there's really no reason why Centennial needs to be involved – the Win32 programs could be emulated directly.</p>
Hifihedgehog
<blockquote><a href="#225052"><em>In reply to skane2600:</em></a></blockquote><p>True, but Windows 10 S restricts non-Store applications from running which makes Centennial incredibly imperative. This means only traditional applications that are packaged in the Store via Project Centennial can be run on Windows 10 S. Remember Windows 10 S will refuse to run any traditional executable, natively or emulated, outside of the Store. Further, m<span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">any developers prefer developing using the traditional tools and resources and do not want to port over to or cross-develop in UWP. This is why Centennial is so important and necessary for the immediate future.</span></p>
dontbe evil
<p>glad to see they're moving away from tablets toy os</p>
Bats
<p>The bottom line is this: </p><p>CHROME OS is still growing.</p><p>Windows 10S is growing at the expense of iOS.</p>