Since their introduction in 2011, Chromebooks have won the favor of school districts and consumers alike. They’re affordable, secure, and lightweight. Lean on hardware and easy to repair, they’re the top choice for school districts’ 1:1 deployments. However, Chromebooks have a limited lifespan with each unit bearing an Auto Update Expiration (AUE), the date on which Google no longer supports OS updates and vital security patches.
But, did you hear? Earlier this month, Google announced they’re extending Chromebook AUE to a minimum of ten years. This significant extension begins in 2024 and means that existing Chromebooks will not expire in the next two years. How will this impact your district’s 1:1 deployment? Before we dive in, let’s look at what AUE is and its history.
About Chromebook AUE
Originally referred to as End of Life (EOL), AUE signifies the date on which Google will no longer support OS updates and vital security patches or provide technical support. Chromebooks are internet-based laptops and receive all their OS and security patches via Google. Although Chromebooks can be perfectly functional after their AUE, they won’t be supported by Google. Although Chromebook may no longer receive updates, it still performs a self-check when it boots and if it detects corruption, it reverts to its original state.
Originally, AUE was three to five years. Then, Google extended the date up to eight years on models that launched in 2020 or later. And now, Google had extended it once again to ten years.
For a complete list of updated Chromebook AUE, check out Google’s Auto Update Policy.
What Does This Mean for Your School?
There are many benefits to Google’s new policy. Extending Chromebook AUE could save public schools, and taxpayers, an estimated $1.8 billion. Here are other benefits of
Chromebooks remain cost-effective: While an extended lifespan can’t prevent irreparable damage, it does mean your fleet will be covered with OS updates and vital security patches longer. Schools can expect to get more mileage out of their current Chromebooks in both performance and budget—less money spent on new units as current fleets are lasting longer.
More control for technology departments: Schools have no doubt experienced offloading functional devices for no other reason than the AUE. With models gaining a minimum of two years, schools will no longer have to prematurely recycle their Chromebooks.
Eco-friendly and sustainable: Less premature recycling of devices means less e-waste. Extending lifespan promotes sustainability, especially for schools that perform in-house repairs. Win-win!
How We Can Help
While Google’s policy changes, our mission remains the same: We help school districts reduce technology downtimes and stay within budget by empowering in-house repair through Chromebook parts supply and free Chromebook repair videos. Your district can still count on us for all your 1:1 deployment needs, such as:
Chromebook parts supply: 500,000+ OEM new or recertified parts
Buyback services: No-hassle process when your district is ready to offload its used fleet
Free educational resources: An extensive library of repair videos to power your in-house repair program
AGParts Education is here for you every step of the way. Contact us today to find out why 7,500+ school districts nationwide trust us as their complete lifecycle management partner.
Chromebooks are extremely popular mobile devices for consumers, school districts, and businesses. They are affordable and have a host of other benefits, but there are also cons to using a Chromebook. One feature that is commonly confused as a con is End of Life (EOL) date, now referred to as Auto Update Expiration (AUE). Today, we’ll outline exactly what AUE is and what it means to you and your district’s Chromebook devices.
What is AUE?
Auto Update Expiration replaced the term End of Life. Vastly different from a traditional laptop, every Chromebook has a date known as the AUE (previously EOL). This is the date when the Chrome OS will no longer support auto updates.
This doesn’t mean your Chromebook will self-destruct, Mission Impossible style, after this date. Think of AUE like a best by date, not an expiration date. Your Chromebook will still power and function, but it won’t receive software updates for new features or security patches. You also do not have access to technical support after the AUE.
AUE Extension
In November 2019, Google announced that they would extend AUE for 135 Chromebooks by six months to two years. When Chromebooks first rolled out in 2011, the EOL was five years. Prior to the latest extension, EOL moved to six-and-a-half years. Most Chromebooks that launched in 2020 and later will have an AUE of eight to eight-and-a-half years. Remember, AUE is not determined from the date of purchase, but from the date of launch.
The Good, the Bad, and the AUE
At first blush, AUE seems like a bad thing, but it really isn’t. Chromebooks are extremely secure mobile devices. One of the reasons why they are considered so secure is their regular auto-updates from the Chrome OS. AUE allows Google to focus on providing the best and most secure updates for the newest and most recent hardware. It also encourages users to purchase newer devices, which increases the likelihood of users using the latest tech.
According to most experts, this is actually why Microsoft laptops can be so buggy and prone to viruses. Microsoft has to support a such a wide variety of hardware, which is challenging at best, near impossible at worst. The regular auto updates from Chrome OS secure Chromebooks, making them near impervious to viruses and malware.
Some argue that AUE reduces the overall value of a Chromebook, but that is a misconception. Chromebooks are still a tremendous value for money. Whether or not it is explicitly stated, all electronics are designed with a shelf life. They are only intended for use for a certain period of time. For example, a mid-range traditional laptop typically lasts four to five years. This already less than the AUE of six-and-a-half years of your standard Chromebook.
Google expressly stating the shelf life of a Chromebook empowers the user to know exactly when they’ll need to replace their Chromebook. Not only that, but users can expect to use their Chromebooks for minimum of six-and-a-half years, and with the latest extension, an additional six months to two years. The latest Chromebooks can have an AUE up to eight-and-a-half years. Again, this far outlasts the average lifespan of a traditional laptop.
While a Chromebook is still functional after its AUE date, that doesn’t necessarily mean it should be used after its AUE. Since the Chrome OS no longer supports auto updates, you no longer are guaranteed the security and stability of the machine. While not all updates are vital security patches, a Chromebook past its AUE date won’t receive any updates period.
Be sure to know the AUE date location on your Chromebooks. If your devices are due for a refresh, AGParts Education can help. With over 20 years of experience, we can buyback your used fleet of devices. Our extensive experience and global resources allow us to give your district the most money for your fleet. Contact us today to find out why 6,000+ school districts nationwide trust us for their 1:1 education technology initiatives.
In November 2019, Google announced that they would extend the Auto Update Expiration (AUE, formerly End of Life) by six months to two years for over 135 Chromebooks. For more information on AUE, visit our blog, Chromebook 101: What is AUE & EOL?
When Chromebooks first rolled out in 2011, the EOL was five years. Prior to the latest extension, EOL moved to six-and-a-half years. Chromebooks that launched in 2020 and later will have an AUE of eight to eight-and-a-half years. Remember, AUE is not determined from the date of purchase, but from the date of launch.
Below is a comprehensive list of the Chromebook models with extended AUE.
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