Google’s promise of ten years of support for new Chromebooks will only last for eight years, according to a support document titled “What the Googlebook announcement means for your Chrome OS devices.” Googlebooks are the replacement for Chromebooks, which run Chrome OS and have been popular in education. The newer Googlebook range uses more powerful processors and Googlebook OS with Gemini AI.

Google’s support policy states that if you buy a Chromebook today, updates will end in 2034 – eight years, not a decade. The support page says, “For qualifying devices purchased today whose 10-year support lifecycle extends beyond 2034, Google is committed to supporting your transition to Googlebook OS.” However, migration paths don’t exist yet, and “details on migration paths and device eligibility will be shared at a later date.”

When migration paths arrive, they will require a new license for Googlebook OS management tools. While Google has unilaterally changed a policy, it’s hard to imagine many Chromebooks will still be in service come 2034. The shorter support period is largely moot, but Google’s intention to make continued use of Chromebooks unattractive is clear.