Google has responded to complaints about the short lifespan of its Chromebooks by announcing that it will take steps to make them last longer. These laptops, once known for their affordability, have come under fire from school administrators who argue that their short lifespan makes them a costly investment.
In a recent blog post, Google revealed that all Chromebook platforms will receive regular automatic updates for a period of 10 years, beginning in 2024. This policy change means that existing Chromebooks will gain an additional two years of support.
Chromebooks have been a popular choice for schools, but concerns about rising prices, repair expenses, and their limited lifespan have left administrators questioning their cost-effectiveness. During the pandemic, there was a surge in Chromebook sales as schools sought to meet the requirements of remote learning. Even with the return of in-person classes, remote-learning days still occur, and reliable technology is crucial in our increasingly digital world, particularly in the context of education.
According to Google, if you own a Chromebook released in 2021 or later, you will automatically receive 10 years of updates starting from next year. For older Chromebooks that are already in use, users and IT administrators have the option to extend automatic updates to 10 years from the platform’s release after the last automatic update.
Google did acknowledge that a small number of device platforms might not receive the full 10 years of automatic updates, and certain features and services may not be supported. Thus, a comprehensive list of Google-approved ChromeOS devices and their respective last automatic update dates can be found in Google’s Help Center. If a device is marked with an asterisk (*) next to the date, users will need to opt in to receive extended updates.
In addition to the extended update period, Google has announced plans to develop more power-efficient features, expedite repair processes, and introduce device recycling options, further expanding the lifespan and sustainability of Chromebooks.
