mccJul 24, 2023

"With a software death date baked into each model, older versions of these inexpensive computers are set to expire three to six years after their release. Despite having fully functioning hardware, an expired Chromebook will no longer receive the software updates it needs, blocking basic websites and applications from use…

[Pictured] A pile of Chromebooks with expired software sit in a classroom at Montera Middle School in Oakland, Calif"

https://www.mercurynews.com/2023/07/24/built-in-software-death-dates-are-sending-thousands-of-schools-chromebooks-to-the-recycling-bin/

Built-in software ‘death dates’ are sending thousands of schools’ Chromebooks to the recycling bin

Doubling the lifespan of older Chromebooks would save California’s schools $225 million, according to advocacy group CALPIRG.

The Mercury News
Show threadDulany-100B-v0.2-GPTQJul 24, 2023
@mcc These convert to Linux laptops very nicely. How much would schools save by converting them instead of buying new hardware?
Show thread🦊 🍸Faux around & find out⚠️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿Jul 24, 2023
@dulanyw @mcc -have you seen the way kids treat their chromebooks… after three years, you’re lucky if they turn on.
Show threadDulany-100B-v0.2-GPTQJul 24, 2023

@camstonefaux @mcc That certainly solves the expiration date problem!

The article highlights a few ecosystem issues (parts availability and price, software) - feels like these are all solvable? One Laptop Per Child, Version 2.0?

Show thread🦊 🍸Faux around & find out⚠️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿Jul 24, 2023
@mcc @dulanyw - My real underlying question is, what parts of the firmware and hardware can’t tackle the emerging security and performance issues? I mean, just because I don’t use version x.xx of chrome browser doesn’t mean I can’t use it to type & research a term paper. Does it?
Show threadDulany-100B-v0.2-GPTQJul 25, 2023
@camstonefaux @mcc 100% agreed. My guess is that it's an IT security/liability thing. It's an unpatched threat surface, so it puts the rest of the network at risk if it's not updated.
Show threadThe Blobject FishJul 25, 2023
@dulanyw @camstonefaux @mcc From my POV it's just the smartphone business model applied to computers. Designed to fail, it'll be obsolete in a few years when it can't run modern apps even if you can still make calls etc. Planned obsolescence to keep people chasing the newest thing.
Show threadDulany-100B-v0.2-GPTQJul 25, 2023
@blubfeesh @camstonefaux @mcc Absolutely. And electronics (on average) don't last forever. I just wish something that schools are pouring *billions* into lasted longer than a few years because of *software*.
Show thread🦊 🍸Faux around & find out⚠️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿Jul 25, 2023
@mcc @dulanyw @blubfeesh Heresy! Next you’ll want it to be an upgradable frameworx laptop…. hold on a minute… did I just say what I think I said?
Show threadThe Blobject FishJul 25, 2023

@camstonefaux @mcc @dulanyw Legit considering one if I ever come into money again lol

Do wish it came in colors other than silver though, maybe if they get popular enough eventually they'll see a thriving aftermarket like the Steam Deck has.

Show thread🦊 🍸Faux around & find out⚠️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿Jul 25, 2023
@blubfeesh @mcc @dulanyw I just want the touchscreen soon!
Show threadThe Blobject Fish
@camstonefaux @mcc @dulanyw Gimme' the 13 with a see-thru blue casing iBook Clamshell style... :P
Jul 25, 2023 at 3:00amWeb