Google has recently lengthened its Auto Update Expiration (AUE) date to 10 years for the Chromebooks that educators and students rely on daily in many school districts around the country. Previously, Google stopped supporting Chrome devices with software updates after a period of four to five years. Using unsupported devices can lead to security issues as well as rapidly declining performance, forcing school districts to purchase new devices regularly.

This change is good news for school districts that can now delay purchasing Chromebooks for up to a decade (provided they keep them in good physical condition), resulting in a potential savings of $1.8 billion across the country, according to an April report released by the U.S. Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) Education Fund. Starting in 2024, all Chromebooks released after 2021 will automatically receive this 10-year security update guarantee.

Decision Positively Impacts the Environment

During the global pandemic when remote learning became a necessity, many school districts invested in Chromebooks. Today, more than 50 million students depend on Chromebooks as a key part of their educational experience. In fact, Education Week found that 90 percent of middle and high schools and 84 percent of elementary schools gave all students their own device. 
Google has steadily increased the AUE from 4-5 years to the previous range of 8 years and now a full 10 years.  Years ago the devices became useless in four to five years creating a great deal of electronic waste and requiring schools to secure additional taxpayer money for new devices.

The decision to double the lifespan of these devices will make a significant impact on the environment. According to the PIRG Education Fund report, this extension could reduce carbon emissions significantly over the course of a single year, at a rate that’s similar to taking 900,000 cars off the road.

What You Can Do to Take Advantage of Extended AUE

With Google doing its part to support a longer lifespan of Chromebooks for school districts, the onus shifts to schools and districts themselves to ensure that equipment is protected and usable for their complete 10-year lifespan. That can be a challenge as children and teenagers are not always the most careful individuals when it comes to technology devices. 

Now more than ever, schools will benefit from safeguarding their Chromebooks with protective cases. MAXCases range of case options are specifically designed to stand up under the rigors of daily classroom use, to prevent device damage and help schools keep Chromebooks working and kids learning. MAXCases Explorer Work-In Cases provide a universal fit that can be particularly useful when school’s can’t predict which device models they’ll want to use from one year to the next. The company’s Extreme Shell-F line is ideal for schools that want a slim, lightweight case that fits easily into charging carts.

Additionally, MAXCases offers a comprehensive protection program called AGiMAXProtect, which includes durable MAXCases Chromebook, laptop and iPad cases combined with unlimited accidental damage repair coverage. 

Conclusion

The latest announcement from Google is good news for all school districts trying to do more with less and is a positive step toward greater sustainability in the education technology industry. Be sure to take full advantage of this news by ensuring your valuable devices are protected for the long run.