Chromebook, automatic updates extended to 8 years … But only for schools

One of the main criticisms made against Chromebook is that software support is limited in time. Initially, Chrome OS was updated for just three years, then it rose to six and a half a few months ago. Now Google announces that on computers launched from 2020 onwards they will even reach eight years; unfortunately, however, the provision only concerns the school sector – specifically, the devices for which the package was purchased Chrome Education Update. This package cannot be bought by normal consumer users; in any case, it is interesting to note that its price has gone up from 30 to 38 dollars (per machine, of course) precisely to guarantee a longer-lasting software support.

All this is true, but it is good to remember a small complication related to support time count: this window starts from when the hardware platform on which a Chromebook is based came on the market. To understand: Google says that the last two school computers presented, the Lenovo 10e and the Acer 712, will receive new versions of Chrome OS until June 2028. If new laptops based on the same processor and motherboard combination come out next year , the support end date will always be June 2028.

During the annual BETT 2020 fair, precisely dedicated to innovation in the school sector, Google also announced one new version of the Google Admin Console, with improvements that make it easier for IT administrators to work – in particular, there is a new Devices page with filters and search tools and an immediate view of the automatic update end dates.