Dixons makes a bold statement about Chromebooks

ELECTRONICS FLOGGER Dixons Retail has claimed that Chromebooks will make up 10 per cent of its computing sales by this time next year, a bold statement by anyone's standards.

Dixons computing category director Mark Slater made the prediction in an interview with the Telegraph, but frankly he should know better than to make such claims.

Slater said, "I believe that Chrome could be circa 10 per cent of our computing business this time next year with the right mix of hardware partners and a much greater consumer push with regards to the benefits."

Chromebook devices first launched in May, but to date only a handful of PC makers have launched the laptops, including Samsung, Acer and a few smaller vendors. More will probably be launched at CES in Las Vegas in January, but these probably won't be on the streets until later next year.

That's why we find it hard to fathom that by this time next year, even one in 100 computers sold at Dixons will be Chromebooks, especially after recent though unconfirmed reports of poor sales of the devices.

However, retail sources - we assume this might include Dixons - told the Telegraph that Chromebooks have sold well "when they are explained to customers".

The INQUIRER contacted Dixons to see if it would back up Slater's claims. A Dixons spokeswoman confirmed that the retailer supports his claims and clarified that the computing category includes laptops, tablets, netbooks and desktops.

Dixons launched the world's first Google shop in a London branch of PC World, so it clearly is hoping to push the internet search engine giant's products.

We will be sure to contact Dixons this time next year to see if Slater's predictions did come true. Somehow, we doubt it. µ