Skip to main content

More than 1 million Chromebooks sold to schools in second quarter of 2014

As parents and college students gird their loins and budgets ahead of back-to-school season, Google’s Chromebook laptops appear poised for a strong showing. Its sales have had strong momentum as we head toward the end of the summer and into the fall, particularly in the education arena.

In the second quarter, schools purchased more than 1 million Chromebooks, according to Google. On top of that, a recent report from market research firm NPD Group spotlights the strength of Chromebook commercial sales, which rose 250 percent year-over-year in the U.S. from January through May.

Recommended Videos

As Chromebook sales pick up the pace, NPD reports that Windows notebook sales were flat during the same period, while MacBook sales rose 20 percent. Microsoft appears ready to slash prices to compete with the Chromebook’s strong sales: A $199 Windows 8.1 laptop is reportedly set to hit the market this fall.

If you need more evidence that Microsoft is feeling the heat of the Chromebook’s increasing market share, take a look at its dedicated “Chromebooks vs. Windows laptops” page, which extols the productivity virtues of the latter.

“The next test for Chrome will clearly be the most difficult, as both Apple and Microsoft get more aggressive in pricing and deal making over the next few months,” according to Stephen Baker, vice president of industry analysis for NPD. “By the end of the third quarter we will have a much clearer picture of the long-term impact Chromebooks will have in the commercial channel.”

College students and their parents are expected to spend an average of $243.79 on laptops, desktop computers, netbooks, tablets, smartphones and other electronic devices this back-to-school season, according to the National Retail Federation. This reflects a 20 percent jump from last year’s $203.28 spend on this shopping category, and the highest figure since 2009.

Sales momentum aside, do Chromebooks make sense as a student’s day-to-day laptop? Read our back-to-school laptop buying guide to find out.

Jason Hahn
Former Contributor
Jason Hahn is a part-time freelance writer based in New Jersey. He earned his master's degree in journalism at Northwestern…
How to delete files on a Chromebook
HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook top down view showing keyboard and touchpad.

Your Chromebook has quickly become your everyday computer. Using it for just about everything, including web browsing, word processing, gaming, and social media, we bet there’s going to come a time when you need to delete some files from your PC. Doing so will not only allow you to store more media locally, but it should also help to improve the performance of your go-to Chromebook device.

Read more
How to right-click on a Chromebook
The HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook on a table.

Welcome to the world of Chromebooks! These budget-friendly laptops are a great middle-ground between mobile devices like smartphones and tablets, and more robust laptops and desktop PCs. There’s a bit of a learning curve to these Google-powered machines though, even down to how you’ll operate trackpad clicks. For instance, we’re sure you’re familiar with how to perform a right-click in Windows or macOS. You can also right-click on a Chromebook, but probably not the way you’re used to.

Read more
No, it’s not a Surface: This Lenovo 2-in-1 Chromebook is $140 off
Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5i front angled view showing display and keyboard.

The Microsoft Surface Pro 9 is an impressive piece of hardware, but it's also incredibly expensive. If you want a device with a similar form factor but at a fraction of the price, check out the Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 Chromebook, which is currently even cheaper at just $359 following a $140 discount from Best Buy on its original price of $499. You're going to have to be quick with your purchase if you want to take advantage of this bargain though, because we're not sure if it will still be available tomorrow.

Why you should buy the Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 Chromebook
A 2-in-1 laptop combines the convenience of a tablet's touchscreen and the utility of a laptop's keyboard, according to our laptop buying guide. This versatility is an important feature of the Microsoft Surface Pro 9, but you can also get it with the Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 Chromebook. Its keyboard cover doubles as protection for its display, which is a 13.3-inch OLED touchscreen with Full HD resolution for sharp details and lifelike colors whether you're using the device for work or for recreational purposes.

Read more