Teacher talking to students who are using Chromebooks in the classroom

If your district is in the market for a new fleet of Chromebooks, we have some news for you. At BETT 2020 education conference in London, Google announced that Chromebooks released in and after 2020 will receive eight years of software and security updates. This announcement comes just months after the extension of updates on over 100 current Chromebooks.


How does this affect school districts?

As K-12 tech departments research devices to buy for deployment, the auto update expiration (AUE), or how long the device will receive software and security updates, is a huge factor in the purchasing of new devices.

When we interviewed a California-based Information Systems Specialist in late 2019, he stressed the struggles experienced buying devices for his district.


“I’ve been doing a lot of research in looking for our next Chromebook...I have a hard time making a recommendation on [a the Acer C771, even though it has a rocking processor] because we have a guaranteed 2-3 more years out of the device. My goal is to get the expected life of a textbook out of the devices we deploy - about 5-7 years.”


With the importance of standardized testing, tech-based curriculum, and up-to-date security, tech departments can’t risk using outdated devices.


How Updates Work

All devices with Chrome OS automatically receive updates from Google, which install security features, device updates, and other fixes Google sends. What’s interesting about these devices is that each Chrome device has two copies of the operating system, giving it the ability to multitask. While one copy of the OS is installing, the other is available for use.

Every six weeks, Google sends out updates that are automatically installed to devices running the OS, meaning no disruption in the classroom or in student workflow.

These updates every six weeks occur until their end-of-life (EOL) date. Google’s decision to extend auto-updates from the typical 6.5 years to 8 is a win for the K-12 sector. It’s important to understand, though, that the expiration countdown begins around the time that the device is released, not when it's purchased. If the device is purchased a few years after the release, the lifespan is significantly reduced.

AUE dates on devices can now be searched and filtered in the Admin Console, so you can easily refer to the expiration dates on devices in your district.



Devices Coming in 2020

Google is set to release 20 new Chrome devices in 2020, all with eight years of updates. On that list are the Acer Chromebook 712 and Lenovo 10e Chromebook Tablet, each having expirations in 2028.

A few others include the ASUS Chromebook Flip C214 and Lenovo 500e Chromebooks, made with a 360-degree hinge, touchscreens, built in styluses, and a user-facing and world-facing camera to better collaborate and create both in the standard classroom or online.

Other upcoming devices will be released later this year.


As the lifespan of Chromebooks extend, breakages will continue to happen. If your district repairs Chromebooks in-house, we provide OEM refurbished Chromebook parts to school districts across the nation. We’d love to connect and learn how we can help support your district’s part needs. To do so, please fill out the form below with your district's Chromebook models, part needed, or any questions, and we'd be happy to help.