Thinking about getting a Chromebook to just do financial stuff on ( looking at brokerage and bank account stuff). From what I’ve read they have at best maybe a 10 year life before they stop getting software updates. Is it worth it to get one for this? I see a price range on them too that is incredulous as some of them cost way more than a standard laptop.
I have a 5 year old chromebook that may have cost $100. I always travel with it to use for sending emails. Much easier than pecking away on a cell phone.
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Agree heartily!
I had two more basic Chromebooks that aged out by no longer getting security updates. I felt they were useful mainly for web browsing and email. I was less thrilled being restricted to using browser-based apps for documents and spreadsheets and storing most things online. One had to have an internet connection to do anything. Also, they have pretty limited power and storage capacity. I found a way to convert them to delete the Chrome operating system and replace it with a Linux version. Now, they work like normal PCs, very similar to Windows look and feel, always updated, and more software options. I personally would not get another Chromebook. They serve a purpose, especially in education, but not for me.
They expiration for Chrome OS was changed.
Microsoft AI says… FWIW…
Yes, Chromebooks still have an expiration date, but Google has extended their lifespan. ChromeOS devices now receive 10 years of automatic updates from their platform release date. This means your Chromebook will continue to get security patches and new features for a decade. However, older models released before 2021 may have a shorter update period1.
Even after a Chromebook stops receiving updates, it still has built-in security features like secure mode, which helps protect the device. If you’re considering buying a Chromebook, it’s a good idea to check its Auto Update Expiration (AUE) date before making a purchase.
Want to check the expiration date of a specific model? You can find Google’s official list here.
Yeah, maybe this autumn I start looking for deals on Chromebooks. I think Clark said he used a Chromebook for only bank and brokerage stuff and never went to non-related things to avoid malware, etc. So, that is what initiated my post.
Review again what @oldpbflyer says just above, and note the drawbacks but also the advantages. They come with no windoze to remove because Chrome is a Linux variant supplied by [evil] google. Being linux it is routine to be able to update it for a long time. But being worthless without a connection is not so great. Requiring a google account to use it is horrible in my book. Maybe for casual surfing, but darned sure not for financial data.
Bottom line is you can do anything that you can do in a browser. If that is all you need and you :love google. have fun. I personally would not have one that I could not load my own linux on, and I do not expect to do that. Much easier to just find a low end laptop fix it up.
Just bought an HP Laptop for about $ 330.00. My last HP lasted 10 years.
At that price and the potential for 10 years of service I prefer the lap top.
Also, by using the same Microsoft account as my desktop I have all my files and software synced across both computers.