Chromebooks seen as ‘disruptive force’ in PC market

By | April 1, 2014

Scalper1 News

Personal computer sales fell last year, but one category, Chromebooks, is booming, much to Microsoft’s chagrin. Chromebooks, which run Google ‘s (GOOG) Chrome operating system, are a low-cost alternative to notebook PCs running Microsoft ‘s (MSFT) Windows OS. Chromebooks use Internet services such as Google Docs instead of running applications locally on the PC. They present a threat to Microsoft’s lucrative Windows and Office software franchises. In a report Tuesday, ABI Research said Chromebook shipments soared sevenfold to reach 2.1 million units worldwide in 2013 and should hit 11.3 million in 2019, for a compound annual growth rate of 28%. In 2012, 300,000 Chromebooks shipped. While just a small part of the overall market, Chromebooks are still taking away possible Windows PC sales. Chromebooks accounted for 1.3% of portable PC sales last year, but could be 6.6% of the market by 2019, ABI analyst Stephanie Van Vactor told IBD.   Scalper1 News

Scalper1 News