14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft has recently launched Windows 10 S and the Surface Laptop to compete against Google in the education market, but it looks like most educators barely consider the software giant’s new products alternatives to the super-popular Chromebooks.
A study conducted by EdWeek 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.
No less than 42 percent of the educators said 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.
Redmond's very own Microsoft Office productivity suite 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.
Sticking with Chromebooks
Most educators plan to stick with Chromebooks for the next-generation devices, and this is pretty much the worst news Microsoft could get, especially given its Windows 10 S and Surface Laptop push.
Windows 10 S is an operating system 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.