Chromebooks introduced in large quantities by schools face the crisis of mass disposal due to software update expiration
Due to the penetration of technology in modern society and the pandemic of the new coronavirus infection (COVID-19), the movement to introduce educational devices such as tablets and notebook PCs to educational sites has progressed in the past few years. However, the Public Interest Research Group (PIRG), a North American consumer group, has complained in an open letter that Chromebooks , which have been introduced in many educational settings, are facing a crisis of mass disposal due to software update expiration dates. .
Full Letter— Parents, environmentalists to Google: stop Chromebooks from expiring this summer
https://pirg.org/edfund/resources/chromebook-expiration-full-letter/
Chromebooks' built-in 'death dates' render many older models useless
https://www.mercurynews.com/2023/07/24/built-in-software-death-dates-are-sending-thousands-of-schools-chromebooks-to-the-recycling-bin/
In an open letter to John Solomon, vice president and general manager of Google's ChromeOS , which powers Chromebooks, PIRG said that various school districts forced to adopt distance learning by the pandemic have limited budgets. He explains that he looked for a cheap notebook PC that can be purchased in bulk and turned to Chromebook among them. However, since Chromebooks have a software update deadline, the vulnerability of the device after the end of support will increase, and there is a possibility that access to the test website etc. will be impossible. .
The budget available to school districts makes it difficult to buy the latest devices as soon as they hit the market, which inevitably leads to slightly older models. Chromebook software update deadlines are based on the release date, so by the time school districts purchase devices in bulk, test them, and distribute them to students, the deadline is already approaching in many cases. . ``Chromebooks are designed to be disposable.
In the United States, more than 90% of school districts provide some kind of digital learning device to junior and senior high school students, and more than half use Chromebooks, so the budget to replace the device due to the expiration of the update is enormous. If the lifespan of devices sold in 2020 were doubled, the school budget in California alone would be $225 million, and the United States as a whole $1.8 billion. ) budget.
The ``13 Chromebook models with software update deadlines in the summer of 2023'' listed by PIRG are as follows.
| brand | product name | release date | Renewal due date | Lifespan (years) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acer | Chromebook 11 (C771, C771T) | 2017/6/1 | 2023/6/1 | 6 |
| Acer | Chromebook 14 for Work (CP5-471) | 2016/5/1 | 2023/6/1 | 7 |
| Acer | Chromebook Tab 10 D651N | 2018/7/1 | 2023/8/1 | Five |
| A Open | Chromebook Commercial Tab | 2019/8/1 | 2023/8/1 | Four |
| Asus | Chromebook Flip C302 | 2017/1/5 | 2023/6/1 | 6 |
| Asus | Chromebook Tablet CT100 | 2019/5/1 | 2023/8/1 | Four |
| Asus | Chromebook Flip C101PA | 2017/7/1 | 2023/8/1 | 6 |
| CTL | Chromebook Tablet Tx1 for Education | 2019/2/1 | 2023/8/1 | Four |
| Dell | Chromebook 13 (3380) | 2017/2/1 | 2023/6/1 | 6 |
| HP | Chromebook 13 G1 | 2016/6/1 | 2023/6/1 | 7 |
| Lenovo | ThinkPad 13 | 2018/12/1 | 2023/6/1 | Four |
| Samsung | Chromebook Pro | 2018/4/1 | 2023/6/1 | Five |
| Samsung | Chromebook Plus | 2017/2/1 | 2023/8/1 | 6 |
In recent years, electronic waste such as smartphones, notebook PCs, and tablets has become a global problem, and Google has also announced that it will accelerate the transition to a circular economy. We are looking for new ways to make products with designs that don't create waste, and to use materials and resources for as long as possible.Google recycles finite resources wherever possible across our operations, products and supply chain. We aim to use it and spread similar efforts beyond Google.'
Although Google is working on a circular economy, PIRG sees it as a problem that Chromebooks, which have no hardware problems, can no longer be used due to software update deadlines. In the open letter, PIRG said, “Google has the power to make laptops last longer and lead the industry towards a circular economy. I'm sure you can,' he called.
ChromeOS communication manager Peter Doe pointed out that Chromebook software updates also include important security support. 'These updates rely on many non-Google hardware and software providers who work with Google to provide the highest level of security and stability support. As such, older Chrome devices may You can't receive updates to enable new OS and browser features indefinitely,' he said, explaining that Chromebook's update deadline is justified.
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