macOS Is No Longer the World’s Second Most Popular Operating System

MacBook RAM Memory Leaks FAQ Credit: Omar Tursic / Shutterstock
Text Size
- +

Toggle Dark Mode

Remember those PC versus Mac commercials from way back? It’s always been Windows versus Mac in the war for the desktop, but that is not the case anymore.

Now, another desktop operating system has surpassed macOS to become the second most popular desktop OS in the world. Which operating system finally ousted macOS in 2020? Read on to find out.

ChromeOS Comes from Behind

  • According to GeekWire, Chromebooks outsold Macs in 2020, making it possible for ChromeOS to jump ahead of macOS.
  • Windows retained a market-leading 80.5 percent of computer sales in 2020, while Chromebooks grabbed 10.8 percent.
  • Macs came in third with just 7.5 percent of the market share.

Why the Surge of ChromeOS?

ChromeOS grew 6.4 percent throughout 2020. The growth in ChromeOS was not the result of lagging sales for Mac as macOS also rose a similar 6.7 percent when compared to 2019.

ChromeOS’s boost was instead the direct result of a drop in Windows sales, especially on the lower end of the market.

Most Chromebooks fall into the sub-$500 category, making them appealing to those who only use a computer for web browsing or for a family looking to equip their kids with affordable laptops.

The Pandemic Effect

At least one reason for the decline in Windows PC sales was supply, which took a hit because of the pandemic.

China, the world’s largest PC supplier, significantly reduced its production in early 2020 when COVID-19 shut down factories and slowed manufacturing.

Sales recovered slightly in the last half of the year when the work from home boom and distance learning drove up sales.

Sponsored
Social Sharing