New Chrome OS update makes it easier to check for hardware faults
The diagnostic app can check for issues with the battery, the CPU, and on-board memory


Google has released a diagnostic app for Chrome OS that lets users initiate a scan for hardware faults within a Chromebook.
The app is part of a recent update to Chrome OS that also aims to reduce the number of tabs you open by giving the launcher more instant capabilities.
The diagnostic app will be accessible from the launcher so users can instantly scan various parts of their device for issues. This can be used on their Chromebook's CPU, memory, and battery and give quick insights on what might be slowing their device down.
The Chromebook launcher, which is where users can normally find apps, local files, or Google search, will now also include a calculator, weather updates, stock prices, and even quick word definitions in an attempt to create a single source for all of a Chromebook user's needs.
For example, if the battery is draining faster than one would normally expect, the app can run a 'discharge test' to see if the hardware is the cause of the problem. The app will also offer up links to relevant support articles and save the test results in a session log that can be shared with customer support teams if the problem is severe enough. There will also be a list of standard troubleshooting advice for more minor faults.
In the coming weeks, Chrome OS will also receive the 'Live Captions' feature that was recently added to the Chrome browser. These are automatic, real-time captions for any media that has audio, and will be an option on "most" Chrome OS devices inside the Accessibility menu.
The updates come as Chromebook sales continue to increase, according to recent Gartner research, which suggests that shipments reached "triple figures" for the first quarter of 2021. This follows on from strong sales in Q4 of 2020, where Canalys suggested demand was "through the roof".
Get the ITPro daily newsletter
Sign up today and you will receive a free copy of our Future Focus 2025 report - the leading guidance on AI, cybersecurity and other IT challenges as per 700+ senior executives
Bobby Hellard is ITPro's Reviews Editor and has worked on CloudPro and ChannelPro since 2018. In his time at ITPro, Bobby has covered stories for all the major technology companies, such as Apple, Microsoft, Amazon and Facebook, and regularly attends industry-leading events such as AWS Re:Invent and Google Cloud Next.
Bobby mainly covers hardware reviews, but you will also recognize him as the face of many of our video reviews of laptops and smartphones.
-
NHS set for huge tech investment boost in latest spending review
News The government spending review will fund the NHS App, the single patient record, the Federated Data Platform, and other initiatives
-
Everything we know so far about the United Natural Foods cyber attack
News The attack on United Natural Foods, a major US distributor, severely disrupted systems
-
IT Pro News In Review: Zoom microphone bug, new Google Chrome OS, Intel acquires Tower Semiconductor
Video Catch up on the biggest headlines of the week in just two minutes
-
Developer preview offers first look at Android 13
News Changes include new privacy features, coding tools, and more options for creating bespoke settings at the app level
-
AMD: Ryzen CPU owners should avoid Windows 11
News Company warns upgrading may cause performance dips of up to 15% for some apps
-
Latest Android 12 beta puts privacy front and centre
News Developers roll out a privacy dashboard alongside shortcuts to limit app access to components like the microphone and camera
-
Chromebook demand "through the roof" with 287% growth
News HP leads the pack with 3.5 million units sold in Q4 2020
-
Acer drops Intel for AMD with latest Chromebook
News The Chromebook Spin 514 is Acer’s first to come with AMD Ryzen 3000 C-Series Mobile Processors
-
Apple MacBook Pro 13in (2020) review: Powerful, portable – and almost perfect
Reviews The first business-grade M1 laptop is a huge hit
-
BlackBerry and AWS are developing a standardized vehicle data platform
News Platform will give automakers a standardized way to process data from vehicle sensors in the cloud