ChromeOS Flex

[tmleafs]

We are thinking of converting old laptops to ChromeOS Flex, They are all on the Certified list but some End of Support in 2025 or 2026.

What happens when support stops? do they continue updating? or don't but continue to work, or just google won't help you if there's an issue?

 

Was going to start with the Library laptops a Dell E6440 but support will end on 31st December 2026 so just over 3 years.

Are the licenses like neverware cloudready, where I can take them back so they can be reused if I replace the device?

[rogerdnixon]

For ChromeOS Flex, end of support just means it might break with updates. Just like old hardware might not run the latest version of Windows or have bugs.

 

You manage the devices on the Google Admin console and when you enrol a device it uses up one of your Chrome Upgrade Licences. There is no separate licence on top of this like in the old Neverware times.

[tmleafs]

So worst case reinstall an old version of flex to device and freeze it to that version I guess

[dmj]

I hear that Chromebooks now get 10 years worth of support, so presumably there is scope for flex devices to still get some updates:

https://blog.google/outreach-initiatives/education/automatic-update-extension-chromebook/

[jthompson]

Would be worth checking whether the documented installation procedure will still work for a device once outside of support. If not, then it may mean that a device needing a reinstall has to be abandoned.

[rogerdnixon]

Installation work on unsupported devices - just be aware if its not on the list there is no support and in might not work long term. However, I've found the vast majority of devices work fine.

[DrCheese]

We've tried it on a few unsupported devices, but I wouldn't want to deploy in production as you don't know if an update will one day zap it, or break something important with no warning.