Google has launched Chrome OS Flex, a technique to clutch older Windows and Mac hardware and change the working design, turning them into Chromebooks.
Even even though Google is asking Chrome OS Flex an “early entry” and “unstable” project, the realizing that is intriguing: As a exchange of disposing an worn PC that’s nearing the tip of its lifestyles, you may turn it into a Chromebook as a exchange. Google has launched the brand new working design on its dedicated Chrome OS Flex space, even though you’ll own to enroll with an electronic mail to accumulate accumulate instructions.
Google appears to be to be positioning Chrome OS Flex for a twin motive: a plot for shoppers to envision up on out the advantages of Chromebooks, and a plot for enterprises to clutch into consideration how successfully they’ll be managed. As an illustration, a Chrome OS Flex “like a flash” shall be managed with Chrome Endeavor Upgrade, Google says. If this all sounds acquainted, you’re correct: Google equipped CloudReady a pair of years ago, and worn that firm’s work as a plot to snort pc PCs into Chromebooks. Google describes CloudReady as a “previous model of Chrome OS Flex.” “Google will robotically update CloudReady gadgets to Chrome OS Flex, when Chrome OS Flex is stable,” the firm added.
Traditionally, DIY PC fans would either move an older PC working, scavenge it for substances, or change the Windows working design with a helpful resource-gentle model of Linux. Now, Google is providing them a further option: Change Windows with Chrome OS, and expertise the advantages of that streamlined working design. And that’s a blow their own horns be reiterated: Chrome OS Flex doesn’t offer the skill to urge Chrome OS in a window or a virtualized environment, a la the brand new Android apps for Windows. As a exchange, it replaces Windows, and all of its recordsdata.
On a enhance page, Google says that Chrome OS Flex shall be a extra restricted model of CloudReady, no lower than for now: “Chrome OS Flex is now no longer going to allow some design-level entry currently available on CloudReady Dwelling Model, including: listing line entry by job of shell and listing line entry by job of teletype (TTY),” Google says.
Don’t predict things to head with out wretchedness, either. “This working design remains to be in early entry on the dev channel—you may honest expertise some instability,” Google says.
Matthew Smith / IDG
Installing Google Chrome OS Flex appears to be to be like much like putting in Windows 11 by job of set up media on a new PC. You’ll want a USB key with 8GB or extra. PCs will need no lower than 4GB of RAM and 16GB of storage. The CPU restrictions are extra lenient: You’ll want a 64-bit CPU, duration. Which is de facto any processor made after the one year 2000. There are GPU restrictions, even though: Intel GMA 500, 600, 3600, and 3650 graphics hardware attain now no longer meet Chrome OS Flex efficiency requirements, Google says.
The actual gotcha, on the different hand, appears to be to be simply within the diversity of treasure minded PC hardware, and how this would possibly work alongside with Chrome OS Flex. Google has printed a checklist of “certified gadgets” that are either currently certified or planned to be certified with Chrome OS Flex, and heaps, a range of them are listed with the caveat “minor factors anticipated” subsequent to them. (“Devices are liable to enhance no lower than basic efficiency, nonetheless are quiet being worked on by our crew,” Google says barely circularly, in describing what “minor factors” would possibly mean. “You would also urge into minor factors.”)
The certified gadgets encompass each and each PCs and Macs.
So why wouldn’t you pick up to own to install Chrome OS Flex on an older PC? Neatly, there is the mountainous checklist of caveats that arrive with the set up. For one, neglect Android apps, Google Play, or Parallels Desktop enhance—that’s out, Google says. Google can’t effect up firmware updates on Chrome OS Flex gadgets, nor can it present verified boot capabilities. ARM PCs? Nope.
All this makes it appear treasure adding Chrome OS Flex to an older PC is extraordinarily valuable a “exhaust at your dangle menace” affect of project—nonetheless one which would possibly quiet turn your older PC into a Chromebook, with out cost. It’s price attempting out earlier than you toss it out.
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As PCWorld’s senior editor, Designate makes a speciality of Microsoft info and chip expertise, among other beats. He has formerly written for PCMag, BYTE, Slashdot, eWEEK, and ReadWrite.
