Entry-level Chromebook computers would not hold up. And would even quickly be good to throw away! This is what emerges from a survey by an NGO which denounces the difficulty of repairing these PCs affected by planned obsolescence.
With the pandemic and the various confinements that accompanied it, distance learning has become an obligation. Many schools then had to urgently equip their students with computers so that they could follow their lessons. In the United States, many schools have turned to entry-level Chromebook-type models: $200 laptops offering a good price/performance ratio while fully integrating Google services – including the office suite. Work space. Thus, in the last quarter of 2020, Chromebook sales increased by 287% compared to 2019!
However, there is a flip side, since, as pointed out in its report by the NGO Public Interest Research Group (PIRG), Google devices have a limited lifespan due to planned obsolescence. Result: American schools and other Chromebook owners are starting to see their devices fail one after the other. They are therefore obliged to replace them, which generates significant costs and electronic waste, in a context of inflation and ecological crisis…
Chromebook: repair issue and expiration date
The NGO raises three main issues. First of all, spare parts to repair Chromebooks are particularly difficult to find, even out of stock, in particular for elements such as screens, hinges and keyboards, which are particularly vulnerable to falls, shocks and splashes that can occur when using your computer at school. Also, when the user manages to find them, they are more expensive because of their rarity. Result: repairing the device is not profitable. In its report, PIRG takes the example of Acer brand devices, of which 10 of the 29 observed keyboards cost “$90 or more, almost half the price of a typical $200 Chromebook”.
Another problem: design choices that complicate repairs. Indeed, to reduce electronic waste, laptop parts must be highly compatible, so that commonly used parts can be shared between several models and parts that are still usable can be recovered from the devices. However, between the different devices, there are modifications considered to be totally arbitrary. This is the case of the plastic “frame” that surrounds the edge of the screen. “For example, the only visible changes to the bezels of the Dell Chromebook 11 3100 and 3110 are the addition of small notches on the bottom of the newer model. On the back of the bezels we can see that the 3110 has missing or less pronounced clips, making them incompatible”explains the NGO.
Last problem: Google has implemented expiration dates for Chromebooks. When the device passes its expiration date, it no longer receives automatic updates from the Chrome OS. In theory, the device is guaranteed with eight years of updates. However, and this is where buyers are fooled, this period officially begins when Google certifies a Chromebook, and not at the time of the first purchase. This means that consumers or schools who buy a used or refurbished one thinking they’re getting a good deal can end up with a laptop that’s unusable after a year – some sites become inaccessible. According to the report, once a school successfully purchases, receives, installs and deploys a fleet of Chromebooks, expiration usually occurs “in four to five years”. This planned obsolescence also makes it more difficult to resell the devices, which ultimately greatly increases the final bill, which can amount to several million dollars for schools!
Chromebook: solutions for more durable devices
However, Microsoft proves to us that it is possible to have a different operating system. “If you bought a laptop 20 years ago, it probably came with Windows XP. Microsoft supported XP until 2014, 12 years after the OS was released. When support ended , many users have been able to upgrade their devices to the new Microsoft Windows 7, 8 or 10 operating systems. Chromebooks are another story. These devices come with an expiration date built in from the start, which limits the useful life of a Chromebook”deplores the NGO.
In addition to the financial aspect that impacts consumers, this has a catastrophic ecological impact. According to PIRG, the information technology sector is responsible for as many greenhouse gas emissions as the airline industry. The more than 31 million Chromebooks sold worldwide in the first year of the pandemic account for approximately 8.9 million tonnes of CO2 emissions. Remember that the production of a device is the most polluting phase of its existence, because of the extraction of raw materials. Therefore, the longer a piece of equipment will be used, the lower its environmental impact will be. Suffice to say that this is not the case for Chromebooks…
To limit the electronic waste generated by Google computers, the association recommends that the Internet giant postpone this famous expiration date and facilitate, once it is reached, the installation of operating systems. alternatives, like Linux. In addition, manufacturers would have to produce enough spare parts for 10% of their stocks. Finally, regarding the material design, she believes that “Manufacturers should prioritize standardization of batteries, displays, keyboard and other components across all models to enable reuse and enable repair.” The PIRG believes that “doubling the lifespan of the 31.8 million Chromebooks sold in 2020 could reduce emissions by 4.6 million tonnes of CO2, which is equivalent to taking 900,000 cars off the road for a year”. Let’s hope that Google reacts…