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Apple Losing Out To Microsoft and Google in US Classrooms (macrumors.com)
Apple is losing its grip on American classrooms, which technology companies have long used to hook students on their brands for life. From a report on MacRumors: According to research company Futuresource Consulting, in 2016 the number of devices in American classrooms that run iOS and macOS fell to third place behind both Google-powered laptops and Windows devices. Out of 12.6 million mobile devices shipped to primary and secondary schools in the U.S., Chromebooks accounted for 58 percent of the market, up from 50 percent in 2015. Meanwhile, school shipments of iPads and Mac laptops fell to 19 percent, from about 25 percent, over the same period, while Microsoft Windows laptops and tablets stayed relatively stable at about 22 percent.
I am on the team that decides the tech our schools use. I guarantee you that the price comparison between iPads and Chromebooks is not 1:1. Apple and their consultants may provide discounts, but they are no where near the level as those on Chromebooks. We buy replacement XE303c12 for about $80 all-in from our vendor and are thinking about upgrading to XE500s for $130 each. Chromebooks (at least the ones we use) are way more robust, actually serviceable, way easier to manage, and supported far longer. We've literally had Apple stuff go EOL on us while still covered by AppleCare; hardware bug == free replacement, software bug == screw you no updates! We are now phasing them out for different tablets we can actually patch security holes in, but for now they are on a separate VLAN so they don't accidentally infect everything when they get hit by a student.