So…
Microsoft is reportedly working on a low-cost Windows machine to compete with Chromebooks.
Here’s why this won’t work…
When Google began its massive move into the education space, there were two driving components: super-cheap, easily managed Chromebooks, and super-cheap (as in free) software tools now known as Google Workspace for Education. One without the other will not lead to success.
And right now, Microsoft doesn’t have a web-based productivity suite of tools that has the performance, ease of use, and (most importantly) sharing capabilities as those offered by Google. Not even close.
Also, let’s remember how bad things were back in the late 2000s when netbooks hit the market and Microsoft tried to jam a full desktop operating system on an under powered machine. It was bad. So bad. Netbooks became popular due to the price point but oh so many people felt frustrated when every application ran slowly or not at all.
Chromebooks solved this problem by offering a lightweight operating system based on Linux and focusing on using web-based tools rather than locally installed software. And when those devices were paired with a program to support and train educators on how to best leverage that new technology in the…
