Chromebooks’ short lifespans are creating ‘piles of electronic waste’

Chromebooks have always been a popular option for schools due to the relatively cheap prices, but they exploded in popularity during the Covid pandemic as kids did their schoolwork from home. However, they may not be such a good deal after all, according to a new report called Chromebook Churn from the US Public Interest Research Group (PIRG). They found that many Chromebooks purchased just three years ago are already breaking, creating electronic waste and costing taxpayers money. 

Chromebooks in schools typically see rough use, and repairability is a key issue, due to a lack of parts and expensive repairs. For instance, 14 out of 29 keyboard replacements for Acer Chromebooks were found to be out of stock, and 10 of the 29 cost $90 each — nearly half the price of some models. “These high costs may make schools reconsider Chromebooks as a cost-saving strategy,” the report states. In another instance, HP only stocked power cords and AC adapters for one model, but no other parts.

The devices also have built in “death dates,” the report reads, after which software updates end. “Once laptops have ‘expired,’ they don’t receive updates and can’t access secure websites.” Google does …read more