Support window for older devices is questionable. I own a Generation 1 Pixelbook and it has stopped receiving updates (including security updates). Dropping security updates after a couple of years in fact is worse than other operating systems. Am unsure if users are alerted that their devices will not be updated anymore.
Disclaimer: Views expressed are my own and do not represent my employer.
> Also... you've got to treat a laptop pretty gingerly to have one last more than 5 years.
Well it's 5 years from launch which is a big problem in my opinion. For example, they didn't replace the Pixelbook so if you are, like me, considering buying one for Black Friday, you only get 4 years of (guaranteed) support. It also probably harms resale value.
5 years of support from the last day of sale would be much more acceptable to me.
I picked up one of those for Black Friday last year.
Nice little machine, but the 32GB drive is not enough for Windows - Windows update failed within 6 months because of disk full - even with no user data. Way too much hassle
I ended up putting Linux on it - faster and could keep it updated. But still quite a bit of hassle.
It's sitting in a drawer now. But my old Samsung arm Chromebook XE303C12 still gets used. I do miss the more complete keyboard on the Inspiron, though.
At any rate I hope you agree that 5 years (from launch) is not a long time to support a device. This policy is wasteful to the environment and not empathetic towards a large section of users who would find it challenging to divert a few hundred dollars every 3-5 years.
Disclaimer: Views expressed are my own and do not represent my employer.