Can Google Inc (GOOG)’s New Chromebook Steal Sales From Apple Inc. (AAPL)?

The verdict
Although Google has launched a great product, there is one serious flaw with it — the OS. Chrome OS may be a good part-time OS for surfing the web and using a limited amount of programs, but it doesn’t have access to the same amount (or same quality) of apps and programs as Apple’s OS. Chromebooks were initially created as web-only devices that didn’t handle large processing or graphics tasks, and although the Pixel is more robust than previous Chromebooks, it still can’t compete with Apple’s OS.

That’s not good news for Google investors hoping the company will take more of the notebook market share. It’s also a bit curious that Google would pursue the high-end laptop market when it puts so much time and money into the Android OS and its mobile devices, the obvious future. Research firm NPD predicts that tablet shipments will finally overtake notebook shipments later this year, three years earlier than their initial prediction last year.

If Google opens up its own stores, as I’ve mentioned before that they should, it could help boost sales of the Pixel. But as it stands right now, Google is going to have a very difficult time convincing Mac users to switch over to its OS. With Apple already dominating the retail space, even if Google opened up stores this year, they wouldn’t have the reach Apple Stores already have — or the brand loyalty. With Google behind in the retail game, sporting an inferior OS, and pushing further into an already competitive market, it’s unlikely the company will steal a significant number of sales away from Apple.

The article Can Google’s New Chromebook Steal Sales From Apple? originally appeared on Fool.com and is written by Chris Neiger.

Fool contributor Chris Neiger has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Apple, Google, and Intel. The Motley Fool owns shares of Apple, Google, and Intel.

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