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There are several reasons to choose a Chromebook in various situations, particularly for educational purposes. They are typically lightweight and affordable. Many models are made from recycled materials, which is something to consider if you are environmentally conscious. Chromebooks are also known for their extended software support, which has been further improved by Google. Google has announced a couple of new features to enhance battery health and increase energy efficiency.
10-Year Software Updates for Chromebooks
In a blog post, Google announced that Chromebooks will now receive 10 years of automatic updates. This is an extension of the previously offered 8 years of software support. The team has decided to provide an additional 2 years of updates to allow users to utilize their Chromebooks for a longer period of time.
The new 10-year software update policy will take effect in 2024 and applies to all Chromebooks released in 2021 or later. Users and IT admins of older Chromebook models will have the option to extend software support. The 10-year period will be counted from the platform’s release date after receiving the last automatic update.
The post also mentions that even if a Chromebook is no longer receiving automatic updates, it will still have strong in-built security features like Verified Boot. This feature automatically checks the device after every boot and performs self-repair if it detects any corruption in the system.
Google has also announced two new Chromebook features: Adaptive charging and Battery saver. Adaptive charging aims to preserve battery health and ultimately prolong battery life. Battery saver assists users in using Chromebooks for an extended period of time by reducing or disabling energy-intensive processes.
The company is collaborating with partners such as HP, Dell, Lenovo, Asus, and Acer to encourage the use of sustainable materials, recyclable packaging, ocean-bound plastics, and low carbon emission manufacturing processes. When a Chromebook reaches the end of its life cycle, Google will assist all users in environmentally friendly disposal of the device.
In related news, Apple is reportedly developing an affordable MacBook to compete with Chromebooks. This new offering from Apple will feature a metal body but is said to be distinct from the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro lineups. Pricing details have not been announced yet, but it is expected to debut in the second half of 2024. More details should emerge in the coming months if the report is accurate.