Chromebooks have amassed universal acclaim for all the benefits they come with. They boast lightning-fast browsing speeds and an overly friendly user interface, and they won’t break the bank in terms of cost and are firm, sturdy, and compact devices. Businesses, schools, and other domains have opted for ChromeOS.
Now, however, the tech giant and operating system developer Google is genuinely looking to step things up a notch. It has officially come out with a brand-new educational project for schools dubbed the Chromebook repair program, and it’s looking pretty thoughtful.
We’ve put together this guide to cover everything there is to know about Google’s new initiative for educational institutes and what benefits it looks to pose right from the get-go. Let us get started with an in-depth overview of the Chromebook repair program.
- Recommended from Chrome Ready: Chrome Enterprise Demo Day – All you need to know.
What is the Chromebook repair program?
Google is thinking two steps ahead of what other tech companies are currently looking into. The industry tycoon has set a goal to run on carbon-free energy by 2030, and the Chromebook repair program is merely one part of that objective.
That is to say, ChromeOS VP John Solomon announced in a blog post in relatively recent times that the company has launched a repair program for schools in the United States that would teach aspiring students to fix Chromebooks themselves. The ultimate goal here is to create an eco-friendly environment with sustainability in mind.
According to a research study commissioned for Google, it’s been dug out that Chromebooks take up 46% less energy than other types of devices, such as Windows laptops. In addition, it’s been claimed that if you were to replace a thousand devices for ChromeOS, you’d be effortlessly decreasing greenhouse gas release by a whopping factor of 90%.
Some of the benefits of using ChromeOS
If you’re not aware of how the environment works already, know that greenhouse gas emissions are subject to causing great damage to the environment in various forms. The scenario snowballed into multiple health concerns and various other environmental hazards.
It’s becoming more, and more of a serious concern as global warming takes its toll on the world. Therefore, it’s only a matter of time before the prevention of greenhouse gas discharge becomes more prevalent worldwide. Google says it’s possible to reduce your carbon footprint by owning a Chromebook.
The sheer number of repairability options and less energy consumption make ChromeOS a highly sustainable operating system, allowing you to run the device for a longer time and drastically reduce e-waste. The Chromebook repair program highlights all these diverse capacities and attempts to make the world a better place.
Another solid claim made by Google pertains to the overall user base of ChromeOS. It’s been said that more than 50 million students and teachers are currently using Chromebooks. When you have such a level of support backing up your product, it’s pretty probable to gather the community and advise them to work for a more secure future.
This is what the Chromebook repair program is all about, but we’ve still omitted some of the other significant benefits of the latter up until now. Let’s take a look at what these are below.
The main benefits of the Chromebook repair program
In summary, the Chromebook repair program has three salient advantages to the world as we know it.
- Faster device repairs
- An opportunity for students to learn key vital IT skills
- E-waste reduction
Faster repairs
Device repair
Google believes that educational institutes where the Chromebook repair program would take effect would boost device repairs. Creating an environment where you’re putting together students, teachers, and IT personnel is liable to give you quick turnaround times due to augmented learning.
For now, some manufacturers, such as Acer, have initated their own training schemes for schools to teach them crucial repair techniques and the technical know-how surrounding this domain.
More skills to learn for students
Career skills
Taking apart a Chromebook, identifying its various components, digging out the source of the problem, and issuing a fix is nothing but a deep-dyed learning opportunity. Using the Chromebook repair program, students will be able to learn some of the most crucial skills related to IT that would help them become invested in the field beforehand.
Should they follow up with the scheme by pursuing a career in this domain, they’ll already be well-versed with the basics. This will give the party in question a head start and nudge them in the right direction. IT is as technical as it gets, and there’s no better way of familiarizing yourself with it than starting young.
Electronic waste depletion
E-waste
Many Chromebooks, if not all, are repairable. They promise a runtime of several years past their end-of-life date, negating the need to purchase another device when it’s already doing everything you want. If Chromebooks last longer in this manner, they’ll be playing their due part in reducing electronic waste.
The latter is all about those electronic devices, gadgets, pieces of tech, or other products that are no longer functional and are therefore dumped into the trash. All this waste has to go somewhere and let us tell you that the result isn’t going to turn out well for the environment.
However, when you’ve got something like ChromeOS in your fleet of devices, forget about having to replace devices for a long while, especially compared to other operating systems and subsequent devices.
Further details
As iterated earlier, many Chromebooks are subject to repairs, not to mention the eligibility of their warranty that would cover their restoration or servicing. Still, IT administrators in schools tasked with the duty of repairing Chromebooks on their own find it a struggle to dig out essential information from the internet regarding specific devices.
That is why Google has curated a specialized website for the convenience of IT personnel in repairing Chromebooks. Now, it’s possible to visualize exactly what devices can be fixed and how. This site is called Chromebook Self-Repair Program and falls under the parent umbrella of the project in question.
The initiative has been kickstarted with the help of two front-running PC manufacturers, otherwise known for developing the best Chromebooks in the business. Currently, 6 Acer devices have been enlisted on the website, and full repair guides have been allotted to each of them.
Repairable Lenovo Chromebooks
Next in line is Lenovo. The Chinese PC manufacturer currently has three Chromebooks on site with a specialized repair guide. If you’re after something more general as a school head and are wondering whether this program is even suitable for your institution, Google has scribbled down a “Best practices” guide for the project at hand.
You can check that out to make a well-informed decision in this case. Acer has already collaborated with Jenks Public Schools in Oklahoma to teach students the art of repairing Chromebooks, develop ingrained skills, and increase the turnaround time for repairs.
Google has laid out a highly elaborate FAQ area to help new users get started with the program. The section is designed by bearing in mind the common person who doesn’t have much prior knowledge of repairing Chromebooks. It’s undoubtedly worth taking a look at the grand scheme of things.
Conclusion
The Chromebook repair program paves the way for students to learn essential IT skills, promising no less than a bright future in their respective fields. Of course, when you start at such an age and already become adept at the craft, your chances of success in that particular domain are straight up quadrupled.
Do let us know down in the comments section what you think of this new Google project. If you’re in the US looking to teach your children new skills, consider enrolling them in the Chromebook repair program. Chrome Ready wishes you good luck!
- Trending on Chrome Ready: How to type Accent Marks on a Chromebook.
