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New Chromebooks Rolling Out in the New Year!

Stock photo of a chromebook

New Chromebooks are coming to our students in the new year. The Medford School District’s plans for providing every student with a Chromebook were quickly accelerated in the Spring of 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the need for at-home learning. Our current supply of Chromebooks was purchased from various manufacturers and at different times over the past decade – many during an extended supply shortage, which has now been largely resolved. 

The Chromebooks currently being used by the students of MSD (well over 12,000 of them) have reached or are rapidly approaching the end of their service life. This is not a surprise, and good planning and budgeting over the past few years have allowed us to refresh our entire supply of student devices. 

Plan for distribution to students between January and June 2024:

Students in Grades 6 – 11 must return the device currently checked out to them during the following months:

  • Grades 9-11: Jan - Feb

  • Grades 6-8: Feb - March

  • Elementary Classroom Carts: March - June

  • Current 12th graders will finish the school year with the currently issued device, and, as always, if they need support or repairs, we’ll be sure they have what they need.

Current Chargers will work with new Chromebooks.

Current devices will be evaluated, and any with remaining usefulness may be sold as appropriate. We are excited to provide these Chromebooks to our students, as quality and durability have improved significantly over the last few years!

Still have questions regarding Chromebooks? See these frequently asked questions below:

 

What is a Chromebook?

Chromebooks are computers designed to run Google’s ChromeOS, an operating system using cloud storage with multiple layers of security. Compared to other student devices, Chromebooks are less expensive, more secure, and less susceptible to viruses. Chromebooks are NOT designed for gaming or multi-media projects. Chromebooks are produced by various manufacturers, and all must meet a set of specifications required by Google, but each manufacturer is unique.

How many years will a Chromebook last?

That used to be three to five years, then it became up to eight years for models launched in 2020 or later. Now, according to a Wall Street Journal (WSJ) report. Google will support all Chromebooks for ten years.

Why do Chromebooks have an end-of-service life?

Chromebooks automatically manage updates so they always have the latest features, including security updates. But because Google can only guarantee ChromeOS and browser feature support on non-Google hardware for so long, every device currently has an AUE (Auto Update Expiration) date on which it stops receiving updates. 

What is the difference between a laptop and a Chromebook?

What is the difference between a Chromebook and a laptop? A Chromebook is a portable computer running ChromeOS. They tend to have lower-powered processors, less RAM, and less local storage than their laptop counterparts. There are, however, some high-end Chromebooks that outstrip the specs of most contemporary laptops. 

What happens if I have a lost or damaged Chromebook?

If you have lost or damaged your Chromebook, please report it to your school immediately.

If Chromebooks or chargers are lost or intentionally damaged, students will be charged the minimum replacement fee of:

  • $100 Chromebook
  • $10 Charger

 In the event of multiple devices lost or if loss/damage is due to intentional actions or neglect, your school administration may impose any or all of the following:

  • Up to full replacement cost of devices and chargers:
    • Chromebooks $350
    • Chargers $25
  • School Discipline
  • Individual student plans for appropriately managing district property

 

Financial Assistance may be Available: Contact your school Administrators in the Main Office.

For Technical Support, contact your School Media Center or MSD Helpdesk at (541) 842-1111.