Google might breathe new life into old Chromebooks with ChromeOS Flex
techradar.com
Don’t throw away your out-of-date Chromebook just yet as newly found evidence suggests Google may expand the availability of ChromeOS Flex to the old laptops.
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The amount of Chromebooks that go to waste in K-12 schools is insane. So it is nice to see Google taking action on this, especially since its largest market are schools.
You're saying it like they didn't create this problem in the first place.
Also, you know what would've been a better solution? If you can install whatever you want to install (e.g. Linux or Windows) like you can with regular laptops.
Oh in no way am I saying that Google is a good guy here. I’m sure that if it were up to them, they would keep the current status quo.
They are only doing this due to the pressure they’re getting for their poor track record of supporting their devices. But it is still a step in the direction nonetheless.
Even if they couldn't be used for whatever reason the schools could sell them or give them to students.
That’s a potential solution but the problem is that IT departments in schools are replacing them when they reach EOL in regards to security patches (since testing software isn’t supported). While there may be people interested, I can’t see many wanting to buy chromebooks that won’t be getting security patches and are sluggish.
The batteries are usually trash on these too because they're constantly cycling the battery. Sometimes multiple times a day. Anything that potentially keeps them out of a landfill is a win in my book.
Agreed. This and Googles announcement last month of supporting new chromebooks for 10 years is a step in the right direction.
My Chromebook went EOL this summer. I can't decide if I want to get another Chromebook or a Windows laptop. Chromebooks are not as cheap as they used to be but I've been hearing Windows is considering a subscription model. In the vein of Adobe's subscription suite I imagine. 10 years of updates plus some kind of post-EOL Linux path might push me over the edge.
what about Linux? you get a real OS plus security updates until your hardware lasts
In another comment I said that I tried putting Linux on a different EOL Chromebook and something went wrong, it's entirely possible I did something wrong, but it won't work now. I don't want to take the chance of killing this Chromebook too.
well you were considering buying a windows laptop. just do that and put Linux on it. better and more varied hardware than Chromebooks, a OS with no EOL, no spyware, and if you've been using Chromebook you probably don't need nothing windows specific so it's a win.
I'm not a Linux aficionado. I've been using Windows machines for a long time and I feel confident doing basic things like navigating control panel and updating drivers but I've never used a fully functional Linux OS. I wouldn't know how to do anything and while I might consider trying it on a backup netbook or something I don't want to spend money on something with a learning curve. Years ago I put OS/2 Warp on my machine and it was a nightmare trying to figure out how to do anything. I'm not interested in doing that all over again.