Microsoft has convinced more schools to switch to Windows 8.1 devices

Sep 10, 2014 12:39 GMT  ·  By

The education sector continues to be really important for Microsoft, especially because it wants to make more devices available to students and teachers across the world, so the company has recently managed to convince more schools to make the switch to Windows 8.1 devices.

The Brighton Grammar School for boys in Australia and California's Fresno Unified School District decided to choose Windows 8.1 devices instead of Chromebooks, Android tablets, and iPads, explaining that those running Microsoft’s operating systems better meet their needs and excel in terms of security, management, and costs.

Of course, Microsoft can’t be anything but pleased with such news, especially because the company is investing a fortune to sign contracts with schools and make its devices available for more buyers. Redmond would obviously prefer to see schools going for its own Surface tablet, but given its price, many prefer to stick to devices built by partners and available at lower costs.

Schools blast Android

Now that they decided to switch to Windows 8.1, some school administrators are taking the time to criticize Android, claiming that both parents and students were complaining that devices running Google’s mobile operating system weren’t really helpful for learning.

"For our senior years - that's years 7 to 12 - we had the Android program," says David Humphreys, Director of ICT at Brighton.

"Both parents and students were telling us that the devices weren't as suitable as they would like for learning, and they were seen as more of a device for content consumption. Pretty quickly we decided on a Windows 8 platform."

As expected, that’s exactly what Microsoft hopes to hear, as the company wants more affordable Windows 8.1 devices to compete directly with Android, not only in emerging markets, but also in developed countries, where cheap tablets are very appealing for schools and other institutions.

Windows 8.1 vs. Chromebook vs. iPad

The battle between Windows 8.1 and its rivals, including here Chromebooks, Android tablets, and iPads, continues in the education sector as well, but this time Microsoft claims that it has scored a really important win.

Schools decided to go for Windows 8.1, blasting the other alternative platforms and explaining that Microsoft’s operating system comes in handier thanks to better security and reduced costs.

"We looked at the Chromebook, Android tablets, and the iPad," says Kurt Madden, CTO of Fresno Unified School District. "Ultimately we felt a Windows 8.1 device would better meet our needs across the board due to security, management, cost, and Common Core requirements."