Google’s Chrome OS is a lightweight, secure operating system that was originally built around Google’s Chrome web browser, but which has become more versatile over the years with a built-in file manager, media player and other tools… and optional support for running Android and Linux apps.

Most folks who use Chrome OS probably bought a Chromebook with the operating pre-installed. But now Google is making it easy to turn pretty much any PC into a Chromebook with the release of Chrome OS Flex. It’s unclear if all Chrome OS features will be available though.

In a nutshell, Chrome OS Flex is a version of Google’s operating system that you can download and install on virtually any PC or Mac. The operating system is free to use and receives automatic feature updates and bug fixes on the same schedule as Chromebooks that ship with the operating system.

Chrome OS Flex is currently available as an “early access” project, and Google notes that users may notice some instability or other problems. But if that doesn’t scare you off, you can sign up to get a download link and installation instructions for preparing a bootable flash drive that you can use to take Chrome OS for a test drive on your computer before deciding whether to install the operating system to local storage.

Google is positioning Chrome OS Flex as a solution for folks with older hardware that might have dated specs or compatibility issues with the latest versions of Windows or macOS. And Google’s timing seems particularly good for folks who may be hanging onto older Windows PCs, since many of them won’t officially support Windows 11 (although Windows 10 will continue to be supported through 2025).

Sure, there are other options – if your old computer can run Chrome OS, it can probably run Ubuntu or another GNU/Linux distribution. But Chrome OS is simple, fast, and fairly familiar for millions of users who may not be comfortable learning an operating system that works as differently as most desktop Linux distros.

There’s also an option for a Chrome Enterprise Upgrade, which will bring support for network administrator features including advanced security services, controlled updates, and granular device controls. This could come in handy for business, government, or educational institutions that want to repurpose old hardware rather than investing in new Chromebooks or other computers.

In fact, the enterprise and education markets are probably Google’s main target for Chrome OS Flex, but it’s available for anyone to use.

One thing to keep in mind though, is that while many Chrome OS features including Google Assistant and Phone Hub are coming to Chrome OS Flex, it’s unclear if support for Android or Linux apps will follow suit. As Android Police points out, neither was supported by CloudReady, the software that Chrome OS Flex is based on. And Google says Android apps are not supported by Chrome OS Flex either, while Linux apps are only supported on some fully certified computer models.

Chrome OS Flex isn’t an entirely new product. It’s the Google-branded version of CloudReady, a service that has allowed you to turn an old PC into a Chromebook since 2015. Google acquired CloudReady maker Neverware in 2020 and last summer it became clear that the company was planning to release its own version of the software.

If you’re intrigued by the idea of Chrome OS Flex, but don’t want to risk running “early access” software, Google says a stable version of the software should be available within months.

Google says when Chrome OS Flex goes stable, folks using CloudReady will automatically be upgraded to Flex, although there are some features that power users may not consider an “upgrade.” For example, CloudReady Home Edition currently supports command line access via a shell or TTY, as well as the ability to disable rootFS verification. Chrome OS Flex does not.

Some other differences between CloudReady and Chrome OS Flex include:

  • There’s just one version of the OS, which means there are no separate Home and Education & Enterprise editions.
  • Chrome OS Flex uses the official Chrome browser rather than the open source Chromium browser
  • The update cycle matches Chrome OS
  • Google Assistant, Family Link, and Nearby Share are supported

Google also notes that Chrome OS doesn’t officially support some hardware that may be included on your old Mac or PC. If you have a computer with a fingerprint reader, IR camera for face recognition, stylus and active pen support, CD or DVD drives, or Firewire or Thunderbolt ports, for example, those features may not be fully supported.

via Google Cloud blog, Ars Technica and Gizmodo

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3 replies on “Turn an old Mac or PC into a Chromebook with Chrome OS Flex”

  1. Google isn’t planning on extending support to existing abandoned ChromeOS devices, such as the Acer C720 series. So folks who bought them in 2019 got 1 year of OS updates, then they were unable to even update their browser for regular security vulnerabilities. Google pulled the plug despite having regularly updated OS images that run perfectly fine on the C720. Why? because you can’t sell new Chromebooks if the people who bought them last year can still get updates. So instead, give them constant security warnings about their outdated browser until these relatively new and powerful devices end up in landfills.

    1. Or someone installs custom firmware and a proper desktop OS on them. I did that to a bunch of them recently.

      But yeah, it’s kind of blatantly hypocritical. You might actually be able to take an old chromebook, install custom firmware, install Chrome OS Flex (or cloudready, except I guess they’re killing that), and thus get continued support indefinitely or for an undisclosed amount of time.
      But only if your model has available custom firmware. If not, or yours is an ARM model, you’re out of luck. It’s actually kind of disturbing just how much of the people’s ability to do that depends on Mr. Chromebox.

    2. Not to defend GOOG (I agree it’s absurd for them to have short support lifetimes), I believe there is a project underway to ship a currently patched and updated Chrome to unsupported models. It’s also possible (for machines that support Linux apps) to install Firefox and use it instead (which would be my preference, but Linux apps are second-class citizens on ChromeOS, so it’s not entirely a replacement).

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