Windows PCs gaining market share worldwide thanks to the education sector

Since the demise of Windows Phone, it was clear that the market share controlled by Windows-driven devices would go down. However, it looks like the education sector helped Microsoft's platform to stay in the game, and even to record a noticeable growth.

A recent post published in the Windows Experience Blog by Yusuf Mehdi, the Vice President of the Windows and Devices Group, reveals that "more and more schools are choosing Windows over competitive offerings" and the market share of Windows devices in K-12 schools in the US grew by 4.3 percent for devices priced under US$300 and by 8.2 percent for those with price tags above the US$300 mark.

Yesterday, market research firm Futuresource Consulting published an interesting report with a very long title that says it all: "Mobile PC Sales into US K-12 Education Starting to Slow as the Market Looks Towards Replacement Cycles." In this report, there are quite a few interesting facts that need to be highlighted:

• Chrome OS "stormed the market" and grabbed more than 50 percent of the devices shipped in 2016 for the US education market
• Chromebooks sold in 2014/2015 are expected to be replaced in large quantities in 2018
• the affordable iPad that arrived in Q2 had "an immediate impact" and recorded very strong sales
• worldwide, Microsoft continues to dominate the market in both developed and emerging markets
• the US market accounts for 90 percent of all Chromebook sales

Thanks to the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update and the release of the new Windows Mixed Reality Headsets, Microsoft is able to provide new ways to teach and learn using immersive mixed reality experiences, so the growth is expected to continue. Sadly, nobody can tell for how long will this growth continue, so Microsoft should hope for the best and get ready for the worst.