Chrome OS is great, but Microsoft doesn't need to worry... yet

Not long ago I wrote asking if we still needed Windows. It's an interesting question without a real answer. On the one hand, many folks don't need it, as a Chromebook will suffice for what they do -- checking email and browsing websites. On the other hand, some people do need Windows for the apps that can't be had on Google's platform.

In other words, there is no easy answer to the question I posed. One thing became clear though. Windows won't be going anywhere soon. It may only be needed by a certain percentage of people, many of whom are in a business of some sort, either for themselves or in the enterprise community.

While we've seen several companies switch to Chrome OS, it's mostly been news of schools making the move. That seems to be where Google shines -- at the educational level.

In comments on my original post, reader Stephen wrote "Personally, I said good-bye to Windows two years ago and haven’t looked back since. I play games, do audio and video editing, as well as genealogy, on Linux. It works just fine for me. I think a modern Linux OS would be sufficient for most people".

That's not something Microsoft wants to hear, of course. The company is busy readying version 10 of its operating system, which users can already preview.

However, Michael states "I haven't actually tried a chromebook. When thinking about buying a new laptop chromebooks don't come to mind". That's what the folks in Redmond like. Another reader pointed out the $356 billion value of the company -- it won't be going bankrupt anytime soon.

It's fairly clear the landscape is slowly changing, but the move won't happen overnight. In other words, Microsoft need not panic just yet. The Chromebook isn't for everyone, as illustrated by the above comments. There's mixed feelings.

Combine that with the pending release of Windows 10, which the company hopes to use to distance itself from the rather disastrous release of 8.x, and there is still life left beyond Office, Azure and other products produced by Microsoft.

In the end, it seems Microsoft doesn't need to go into full panic mode just yet, and probably not for a while. But Chrome OS keeps gaining features, so there is room for a bit of fear. That was evidenced a while back by the ill-advised Scroogled campaign that did little aside from bringing ridicule. But panic? Not now.

As an aside, I am writing this from a Chromebook -- it's what I use everyday. But every once in a while a task sends me scrambling to my office to use a Windows PC, so there is still a use for most people.