Repairable Google Chromebooks Vs Cheap Windows Laptops: What’s best for students and the environment? | Digit

Google is trying to showcase its dedication to the “Right to Repair” phenomenon spreading worldwide. It recently took to Twitter to tout how repairable and sustainably made the Chromebooks are. Google further wants to start a repairability program to enable Chromebook repair workshops in Schools and simultaneously help children learn valuable IT skills. 

With Google Chromebook currently dominating sales in schools in the US, Microsoft is slowly trying to catch up with cheaper and affordable Windows laptops. Here’s what you need to know.

Google Chromebooks Vs Cheap Windows Laptops

In addition to Google, a number of other third-party OEMs also manufacture Chromebooks. In a blog post, the tech giant claims that over 50 million students and teachers currently use Chromebooks in US schools. Moreover, with a combined effort from third-party OEMs, Google claims 46% less energy consumption while manufacturing Chromebooks.

While Google supports repairability for such devices in the US, it does not offer a similar program in India. Moreover, the 3rd party OEMs will still void your Chromebook’s warranty in case of any self-repair. 

Most Chromebooks available in India are available with an Intel Celeron Dual-Core processor, around 4GB RAM and 64GB of storage. HP Chromebooks however use an ARM-based MediaTek processor instead of Intel or AMD. Compared to Chromebooks, Windows laptops are still expensive, very much so if you’re talking scale. One of the cheapest ones starting its range at around Rs 25,000 in India. Compared to Chrome OS, which runs on Chromebooks, Windows is relatively more resource hungry. However, it supports a much larger number of creative and productive applications. 

Google’s repair learning program seems like a direct response to the Right to Repair bill which is actively gaining support from both parties in the US. Therefore, it’d be interesting to see how the self-repair idea reaches our shores after spreading across assemblies in the US and enables Google to introduce an equally favourable learning program for Indian students.