Chromebook Vs. iPad: Google's Laptop More Popular In The Classroom

Google’s Chromebook is currently more popular in classrooms than Apple’s iPad, according to International Data Corp., as cited by the Financial Times. It’s the first time Cupertino has played runner-up in a key hardware market to the search giant.

IDC found Google shipped 715,000 Chromebooks during the third quarter of 2014, while Apple shipped 702,000 iPads.

The Chromebook’s $199 starting price provides schools with lower upfront costs while Apple’s iPad starts at $300. Analysts predict the Chromebook could one day lead the education market.

“Chromebooks are really gaining traction,” Rajani Singh, an IDC analyst told the Financial Times. He added this should “be a major concern for Apple.”

HP has also entered the affordable laptop market, offering products such as the Stream starting at $199.