Chromebook expiration dates

[3930dave]

Getting closer to buying a Cbook, still researching.....

Being a hardware guy, I naturally gravitate to those specs. Cbooks being what they are, can't ignore the support dates per model though.....

Auto Update policy - Google Chrome Enterprise Help

Thought I'd share, as this info is not usually advertised.

Rgds, D.

 

[TractorGuy]

Auto update is the devil. If it can't be controlled by the user it's not yours.

We tried a Win 10 notebook and half the time when we turned it on it would start updating. It didn't have the ability to update and perform normal functionality at the same time. I have all our computers back on 7. It works fine without support.

 

[Oaktree]

I've never used a Chromebook, nor do I see why I'd want a "computer" that's a paperweight without internet access. Is that article saying they won't work after the 6.5 years or just that they won't receive updates? If the latter, not a big deal in my book.

 

[3930dave]

I've never seen one go past it's Due Date, so I don't know if it's a hard-stop or not.

They aren't for everybody, but given how many people use "PC"s today (internet browsing, light-duty applications), they have become popular, including with IT Admins (for personal use). What they give is decent/good performance at their price-point, along with very good native security.... so long as you don't mind Google

I wouldn't call myself a google fan-boy (not even close), but I will give them credit for posting the info I linked. IF one is in the market for a Cbook, worthwhile data....

Rgds, D.

 

[Chris616]

There is a huge difference between a Chromebook and a Windows 10 notebook. Like the difference between a tractor and a car. You can do some of the same things with both, but their intended uses are completely different.

Earlier this year I spent a couple of days setting up my wife's new Win10 computer. About the same time I set my 80+ mom with a new Chromebook, her first computer. Other than charging the battery it was fully functional after taking out of the package. I have done some optional customization, but it wasn't necessary. The nice things about the Chromebook are:

- The auto updates take seconds, since it's mostly just updating the Internet browser.
- There is very little to go wrong with it, again since it is mostly just an Internet browser.
- If something does go dramatically wrong it can be easily reset to initial conditions (called a "powerwash"). That was very comforting to my mom.
- I can set up a remote control session with my mom's computer so that I can see what she is describing when she is asking how to do something, or I can show her how to do it. That was even more comforting to her.

I liked the Chromebook so much that I bought one to use for Internet browsing while not sitting at my desk with my regular Windows computer. I did consider the auto update expiry, but it wasn't the most important spec to me. The price of these machines is low enough that I'm expecting to replace them more often than our heavy-weight desktop computers.

Chris

 

[Diggin It]

Remember that the company behind those is in the business of gathering and selling personal information. No one who passes their door is safe.

 

[3930dave]

Remember that the company behind those is in the business of gathering and selling personal information. No one who passes their door is safe.

Agreed on both counts.

It would be a kinder gentler 'net, if they were alone in that endeavour. I am familiar with basic Win and Lin countermeasures, and plan to do what I can in that regard if I go further down the CB road.

Rgds, D.

 

[3930dave]

There is a huge difference between a Chromebook and a Windows 10 notebook. Like the difference between a tractor and a car. You can do some of the same things with both, but their intended uses are completely different.

Earlier this year I spent a couple of days setting up my wife's new Win10 computer. About the same time I set my 80+ mom with a new Chromebook, her first computer. Other than charging the battery it was fully functional after taking out of the package. I have done some optional customization, but it wasn't necessary. The nice things about the Chromebook are:

- The auto updates take seconds, since it's mostly just updating the Internet browser.
- There is very little to go wrong with it, again since it is mostly just an Internet browser.
- If something does go dramatically wrong it can be easily reset to initial conditions (called a "powerwash"). That was very comforting to my mom.
- I can set up a remote control session with my mom's computer so that I can see what she is describing when she is asking how to do something, or I can show her how to do it. That was even more comforting to her.

I liked the Chromebook so much that I bought one to use for Internet browsing while not sitting at my desk with my regular Windows computer. I did consider the auto update expiry, but it wasn't the most important spec to me. The price of these machines is low enough that I'm expecting to replace them more often than our heavy-weight desktop computers.

Chris

Well said Chris.

To extend the tractor analogy a bit, a Cbook could be thought of somewhere between a SCUT and a CUT. Not what you'd want if you had 5k acres to plow, but even many of the guys on here who own Big Iron comment, it's surprising how often the smaller/lighter versions get used.

I'm not a Gamer, serious or otherwise, and don't run heavy engineering simulations anymore, nor any other application that needs high performance local workstation hardware, so the relatively low-cost smooth functioning utility of these Chromebooks has it's attractions.....

Rgds, D

 

[3930dave]

A brief article about what's going on under the hood....

Google Chromebooks fight malware, get security experts' approval - CNET

Ex. - updates are pretty much transparent, as they A/B them. You are running A version, B gets updated in the background, then swapped later.

Rgds, D.

 

[DMax82]

I've never used a Chromebook, nor do I see why I'd want a "computer" that's a paperweight without internet access. Is that article saying they won't work after the 6.5 years or just that they won't receive updates? If the latter, not a big deal in my book.

My Chromebook runs the Google "Office" apps offline. I bought my 11" Lenovo for around $115 refurbished three years or so ago. It has not been handled gently, but does everything I need it to. Considering a higher end model now, but I do need to run Windows apps, and my PC is getting on in the years.