Google launches Chrome OS Flex: turning “ancient” PCs and Macs into Chromebooks

Many of us have an old computer that we haven’t used for a long time. It may have started very slowly, has outdated software. If only there was a way to repurpose the machine into something useful instead of sending it to the landfill!

And that’s why Google released Chrome OS Flex, which you can use to install Chrome OS on Windows or Mac machines. It basically turns your laptop, Windows PC or Mac into a Chromebook for free.

Google is touting Flex as a super frugal way for companies to use Chrome OS. However, the operating system is also free and open for users to freely install, which could allow individual users to reuse old machines or simply experience what Chrome OS is all about.

Chrome OS Flex is built on the same code base as Chrome OS on Chromebooks. However, Flex does not support Android apps, Google Play, or Parallels Desktop.

Installing Google Chrome OS Flex is also very simple, you only need a USB with a capacity of 8GB or more.

To run Flex, your computer will need at least 4GB of RAM and 16GB of storage. Regarding the CPU, just a 64-bit CPU. It’s basically any processor made after 2000.

There are GPU limitations, however: The Intel GMA 500, 600, 3600 and 3650 don’t meet Chrome OS Flex’s performance benchmarks, Google said.

Google has published a list of models that have been tested for compatibility with Chrome OS Flex, and many of them are listed with the warning “minor issues may appear”.

All of this makes installing Chrome OS Flex onto a PC a game of chance, it may work well, it may not. But anyway it’s free and you can try it once before you put the computer back in the closet.

Currently Chrome OS Flex is still only in early beta, you can sign up here.

Reference: AA