I’m thinking about getting one and putting Linux on it, but mostly I’ll use Google Sheets and other Google apps. What are the risks of using an old Chromebook that’s no longer updated?
The usual risks apply. You’re using an old version of Chrome on an outdated system. It’s more open to malware (even though it’s a small risk) and eventually, some websites will stop working.
Some websites may not work correctly.
If you switch ChromeOS to Linux, it won’t matter as long as you keep Linux and your apps updated.
The danger with an unpatched system is that if there’s a security hole, malware can take advantage of it. Malware can do a lot of things—steal your identity, ruin your credit, or worse. It’s not likely to do something bizarre like making you attracted to sheep, but leaving an old OS unprotected can give bad software a way in. Hackers use tricks to get people to click on bad links, and once malware is installed, it looks for weaknesses in unpatched systems to take over.
That being said, using an unsupported OS is riskier than one with regular security updates. Still, if you follow good security habits, you can lessen the risk.
As far as I know, there’s no problem using an old Chromebook if you replace ChromeOS with an OS that still gets updates.
If you keep using a Chromebook with ChromeOS after it stops getting updates, it’s less secure. But it’s still more secure than a PC running an outdated version of Windows.
You should be fine. I actually choose not to update my Chromebook. Sure, it’s less secure and eventually, some websites will act up. You can always install Linux and use a newer browser if you want.
For me, I don’t like the newer versions of ChromeOS—they feel bloated, and the interface is pretty bad in my opinion.
Oli said:
You should be fine. I actually choose not to update my Chromebook. Sure, it’s less secure and eventually, some websites will act up. You can always install Linux and use a newer browser if you want.
For me, I don’t like the newer versions of ChromeOS—they feel bloated, and the interface is pretty bad in my opinion.
> I don’t like newer versions of ChromeOS they’re bloated and the interface looks horrendous IMO
I agree with you.
Now I just use Scrcpy and turn my Chromebook into a laptop dock for my phone.
Oliver_james said:
I’m thinking about getting one and putting Linux on it, but mostly I’ll use Google Sheets and other Google apps. What are the risks of using an old Chromebook that’s no longer updated?
Just install ChromeOS Flex on it.
Oliver_james said:
I’m thinking about getting one and putting Linux on it, but mostly I’ll use Google Sheets and other Google apps. What are the risks of using an old Chromebook that’s no longer updated?
Just install ChromeOS Flex on it.
It’s meant for regular Intel desktops and laptops, not for Chromebooks though.
Oliver_james said:
I’m thinking about getting one and putting Linux on it, but mostly I’ll use Google Sheets and other Google apps. What are the risks of using an old Chromebook that’s no longer updated?
No big risks. You just won’t be able to get the newest updates for your programs. After a while, they won’t work right anymore.
I have an old Chromebook that doesn’t show some websites properly. I also can’t update apps like YouTube, and I can’t use AI chatbots.
I only use it for simple stuff—checking Gmail and browsing the web. Complicated forms on websites don’t load.