With Chrome OS Flex, Google wants to turn your old PC or Mac into a Chromebook

Chrome OS Flex is the new initiative just announced by Google. The concept ? Bring your old computers back to life and turn them into real ones Chromebook
.

An initiative in the continuity of what the giant behind Google Chrome had undertaken in 2020, with the acquisition of CloudReady.

Extend the life of old computers

Give a second wind to a dated computer, or one that lacks power, this is the goal of Chrome OS Flex. Indeed, this solution proposed by the Mountain View company aims to transpose the experience of Chrome OS, in its entirety, to any computer, whether it is a Mac or a PC. If the target of this initiative remains above all companies as well as people working in the educational field (sectors often brought to recycle en masse), Chrome OS Flex is open to anyone who wants to try it.

In 2020, Google acquired CloudReady, a solution similar to Chrome OS Flex today, originally designed by Neverware. The goal was then the same: install Chrome OS from any computer. And this is obviously not a simple coincidence since Chrome OS Flex is itself based on CloudReady technology and in this case presents itself as a logical evolution, more accessible and above all more ” transparent “, in the words of Google.

Chrome OS Flex: how does it work?

To install Chrome OS Flex on your computer, you will simply need to go through a USB key, before then accessing the BIOS of the device in order to proceed with the installation. With Chrome OS Flex, Google wants to offer a user experience broadly similar to that of Chrome OS, although one important point should be noted: it is still only an early access version and it will most likely still include some bugs.

Also note that Google has posted a list of certified models, sorted by brand, listing the different computer models guaranteeing full compatibility with Chrome OS Flex (most models prior to 2016 should be compatible). Finally, while Google isn’t permanently closing the door on any solution to improve Chrome OS Flex in the future, support for the Google Play Store and Android apps is regrettably not on the cards.

Anyway, this initiative, although in reality already known through CloudReady, presents itself as an interesting way to recycle its old devices (and undoubtedly an attempt by Google to attract more people to Chrome OS, by the way).

Source: TechCrunch