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Google & Microsoft compete in PC market
谷歌微軟競爭個人電腦市場
At a time when personal computers are experiencing a drop in sales, Google’s Chromebooks are defying skeptics and gaining market share. The growth follows the unveiling of low-cost Chromebook models from Samsung and Acer last October. Traditional Microsoft partners such as Hewlett-Packard and Lenovo also have started offering Google Chromebooks in recent months.
It’s an old battle between two tech giants. And today, hostilities renewed between Microsoft and Google who both released second quarter earnings. According to research firm NPD Group, in the last eight months, Chromebooks have snagged 20 to 25 per cent of the U-S market for laptops priced under $300. The device is now the fastest-growing part of the personal-computer industry based on price.
When the Chromebook first debuted two years ago, it was dismissed as a "bare-bones" laptop. Its lack of built-in software was considered unusual - especially when compared with laptops using Microsoft’s Windows operating system - but the budget-tier Chromebook has found a market here in the U.S.
According to Gartner and IDC, global shipments of PCs have been steadily declining over the last few years. Computer makers around the world shipped 76 million PCs in the second quarter of 2013 from 85 million PCs shipped last year-a decline of almost 11 percent (10.9%).
Attractive pricing, an evolving platform and strong marketing have seen Chromebooks beat the odds in an otherwise cut-throat market. While Chromebooks still remain a small portion of the total U-S laptop market, Google has certainly found a niche.And with every software update, it continues to woo.
