December 28, 2018
Google is in the process of enabling its high-end Chromebooks to run full versions of Microsoft’s Windows 10 in parallel to the native Chrome OS
Channelnomics Staff
Google is working to enable its high-end Chromebooks to run Windows 10 in dual-boot mode, making the popular devices able to run versions of business and productivity applications designed specifically for the Microsoft operating system. An announcement of the new feature could come at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in January.
The Lowdown: Google started working on dual-boot capabilities for its Chromebooks in mid-2018 under its Project Campfire initiative. The intent is to make Chromebooks, which are typically less expensive than other laptops, more appealing to commercial users.
The Details: It’s expected that high-end Chromebooks with Intel processors, 64GB of SSD storage and 4GB of RAM will be able to run full versions of Windows 10 in parallel with the native Chrome OS. The same technology enhancement will likely make it possible to run other operating systems on Chromebook as well.
The Impact: Windows on Chromebooks is a potential game-changer that could make Chromebooks appealing to commercial users and businesses seeking lower-cost alternatives to traditional PCs. Chromebooks are already best-sellers in the education segment, due largely to their low cost. Adding Windows in dual-boot mode could allow Chromebooks to cross over into the commercial channel, opening new device, software, cloud service, and managed service opportunities to resellers and managed service providers.
Background: Worldwide Chromebook shipments continue to climb unabated. According to Global Market Insights, Google shipped 5 million Chromebooks in 2015 and nearly 9 million in 2018. By 2023, Chromebook shipments could top 17 million units. While still just a fraction of the total 300 million PCs shipped each year, Chromebooks are still outpacing sales growth of traditional Windows-based desktops and notebooks.
Related Links:
ZD Net: Windows is coming to your Chromebook
Statista: Chromebook unit shipments worldwide from 2014 to 2023 (in millions)
