It is reported that the Chromebook introduced at the educational site began to break in just three years after its introduction, and it is difficult to repair and has low sustainability
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A computer ' Chromebook ' equipped with Google's OS ' ChromeOS ' is highly evaluated for its low price and simple operability, and has been introduced in large quantities in school education as an educational computer. However, it has been pointed out that Chromebooks have a shorter lifespan than general computers and are difficult to repair, resulting in high costs for schools.
'Chromebook Churn' reports highlights problems of short-lived laptops in schools
https://pirg.org/edfund/resources/chromebook-churn-report-highlights-problems-of-short-lived-laptops-in-schools/
School Chromebooks are creating huge amounts of e-waste - The Verge
In early 2020, when the epidemic of the new coronavirus began, many schools conducted online classes due to concerns about infection with the new coronavirus. Schools in the United States have purchased affordable Chromebooks in bulk and distributed them to students.
However, a 2023
One of the factors that shortens the lifespan of Chromebooks is the difficulty of repairing them. While schools are expected to drop, shock, shake, and submerge screens, hinges, and keyboards, Chromebook repair parts are more readily available than other computer repair parts. is low and the ease of decomposition is also low. In addition, the price of replacement parts is also relatively high compared to the main unit price, and PIRG reports that some companies' IT departments are purchasing additional Chromebooks for parts removal. Therefore, PIRG points out, ``Due to the high cost of maintaining Chromebooks, schools may reconsider the introduction of Chromebooks as a cost reduction strategy.''
In addition, manufacturers selling Chromebooks may change the shape of parts such as bezels that are unrelated to functions for each model, and it is said that it is difficult to divert parts from devices of other models. The upper part of the image below is the ' Chromebook 3100 ' bezel sold by Dell, and the lower part is the ' Chromebook 3110 ' bezel. Chromebook 3110 is not compatible with Chromebook 3100 due to a small notch on the bottom of the bezel.
PIRG also points out the expiration system for Chromebook auto-updates, explaining that Google has established a software
Therefore, when introducing Chromebooks into schools, it is necessary to go through processes such as purchasing, receiving, setting up, and deploying, so it is common for automatic renewals to expire when students start using them. target. Therefore, ``If automatic software updates are stopped only a few years after the introduction of the device, only computers that have become electronic waste will be left in schools. Chromebooks require schools to recycle old Chromebooks and purchase additional new Chromebooks, ”PIRG points out.
“If we could double the lifespan of the roughly 32 million Chromebooks shipped in 2020, we could reduce our carbon footprint by as much as 4.6 million tons,” said PIRG. It is equivalent to the carbon dioxide generated when driving for a year.” PIRG also said that Google would eliminate its auto-update expiration system on Chromebook devices, and that each device manufacturer would produce overstock of at least 10% of replacement parts, making it easier to replace components between Chromebook models. I am requesting you to
In addition, PIRG wants Google to be able to easily unenroll Chromebooks from remote management so they can install another OS like Linux . ``The choice of OS is not only a consumer's right, but it can increase the value of second-hand listings and purchases of computers,'' PIRG said.
On the other hand, a Google representative told news media The Verge, ``Google has worked with hardware partners to increase the number of years the Chromebook's warranty period has expired.Also, used recycling and certification for easier repair. We build devices across segments using off-the-shelf materials and run manufacturing processes that can reduce our carbon footprint over the years.'
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in Hardware, Posted by log1r_ut