Twenty-one percent of the total notebook sales generated for 2013 is occupied by Chromebooks.
According to NPD Group, the leading global market research company, Google Chrome OS-based notebooks has occupied a little more than one-fifth of the notebook sales for 2013 through commercial channels from January 1 to November of the current year -- a dramatic increase from last year’s zero sales and the largest share increase across different product divisions.
To support NPD Group’s notion, the Washington-based electronic commerce company, Amazon, told CNET on Thursday that Samsung Chromebooks, Acer Chromebook, and Asus Transformer Book were “holiday best sellers.”
Android tablets are among the big sellers, too, increasing sales by 160 percent.
“With 1.76 million units going through the channel from January through November of this year, compared to just 400,000 units in 2012,” Chromebooks in conjunction with Android tablets had the biggest impact on sales growth, said NPD in a press release.
However, this year is quite a good one, though not significantly great, for Windows and a bad one for Apple based on a sales performance.
According to the press release: “Windows notebooks* showed no growth over 2012, Windows desktops* increased by nearly 10 percent and Apple sales for notebooks and desktops combined fell by 7 percent.”
Stephen Baker, an analyst working with NPD, who wrote the press release said, “Tepid Windows PC sales allowed brands with a focus on alternative form factors or operating systems, like Apple and Samsung, to capture significant share of a market traditionally dominated by Windows devices.”
Established PC manufacturers are joining the trend by creating its own new Chromebook models. Dell, for example, announced early this month that it will launch its first ever Chromebook in January for the educational market.
Hewlett-Packard, the world’s largest PC manufacturer, is also putting more importance on Google’s Android and Chrome operating system.
HP’s Chromebook 11, which was recalled due to faulty chargers in November, are now back in the market as well.
