Such features give Macbooks the conveniences of a more traditional laptop, making them more accessible to a wider demographic in the process. Apple would have to make its laptops more accessible in terms of hardware and pricing to cater to consumers struggling with the economic decline brought about by the pandemic.Īpple could turn things around with its upcoming Macbook, which is rumored to come with features and specs that could attract more buyers, like an expandable memory slot and integrated USB ports. The thing is, Chromebooks offer more flexible pricing options, making them a more viable alternative to a wider margin of consumers, even more so now that they're getting better hardware at better prices. Macbooks now face the challenge of earning the favor of consumers during a time when many workers and students simply need hardware to help them navigate their respective virtual work or learning spaces. Can Apple Rebound Or Will Chrome OS Continue To Shine?
Of course, Windows-based devices still ended the year at the top despite suffering a decline in share from 78.9 percent to 76.7 percent. Google's Chrome OS, on the other hand, saw nothing but gains throughout 2020, going from 5.3 percent to 10 percent market share growth within the first half of the year to a steadily rising 11.5 percent and 14.4 percent by the second half. This further increased to 8.4 percent by the second half of 2020, but eventually fell back to 7.7 percent as the year closed.
Related: Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 Specs & Features Leak: Will It Be Worth It?Īccording to GeekWire, Apple started 2020 well, increasing the market share of its MacOS-powered devices from 5.8 percent to 7.6 percent by the second quarter. However, Chrome OS devices have grown in popularity over the years among students and educators.
CHROME OS MARKET SHARE WINDOWS
Since before then, Apple has held the second position in terms of market share behind Windows devices - and for the most part by some distance.
CHROME OS MARKET SHARE MAC
Devices running Google's Chrome OS platform saw a rise in market share of 4.4 percentage points over the course of the year. While Chrome OS devices outsold Macs for individual quarters before, this is the first time they have done so for a whole year.Īpple's Mac devices have been around in one form other since the 80s, which makes the rise of Chromebooks and associated devices all the more impressive, given that the Chrome OS platform was only launched in 2011. A leaked build of that upcoming OS last month revealed a design, user experience, and approach that’s very similar to Google’s operating system. The OS, originally for dual-screen devices before a telling pivot, is expected to launch in the spring and target education, as well as business customers.Apple chalked up record sales of its Mac computers in 2020, but that didn't stop Macs from slipping behind Chrome OS devices in terms of market share. Meanwhile, Microsoft is well aware of the Chrome OS threat and readying Windows 10X. Regardless of iPad or Mac, Apple still has a price premium during a period when people are looking for the cheapest option.
The mobile/tablet to desktop OS comparison is somewhat odd even before factoring how an iPad setup requires the purchase of an additional keyboard accessory. Back at its September event, Apple said the new iPad Air was six times faster than the top-selling Chromebook. The recent demand for affordable computers, especially in education, greatly benefits Chromebooks. That said, StatCounter reports worldwide desktop operating systems (as of January 2021) still have the Mac leading at 16.91% versus 1.91% for Chrome OS. IDC’s YoY breakdown has Chrome OS up 4.4 points to 10.8%, while macOS ended at 7.5% and Windows 80.5%. Meanwhile, Windows sales declined from 87.5% at the start of the year to 76.7% in Q4. The Mac started at 5.8% in Q1 and peaked at 8.4% in the third quarter before receding to 7.7% in the final three months. However, Chrome OS continued growing over the next two quarters - 11.5% for Q3 and 14.4% in Q4 - to maintain the number-two spot. The Google operating system overtook (which has occurred before in the past) Apple’s in Q2 at 10% to 7.6%. That demand in 2020 has led Chrome OS to overtake macOS in worldwide sales.Īccording to IDC 2020 figures (via GeekWire) for desktops, laptops, and workstations, Chrome OS surpassed macOS in worldwide sales. Last month, we learned that Chromebook shipments grew over 4x amid the pandemic and shift to distance learning.