The New Chrome OS Flex Lets You Turn a PC or Mac Into a Chromebook

Have you acquired a previous laptop computer or MacBook mendacity round? Google desires you to breathe a brand new lease of life into it by working a brand new model of Chrome OS, dubbed Chrome OS Flex.

The OS is supposed for previous PCs that are too gradual for each day’s utilization. You can set up Chrome OS Flex and repurpose them for another use as an alternative to throwing them away.

What Is Chrome OS Flex?

Chrome OS Flex is a particular model of Chrome OS meant to increase the lifespan of older units and cut back e-waste. It will probably be helpful for faculties and enterprises, as they’ll set up the working system on previous PCs and proceed to utilize them. It will probably be out there without cost when it launches to the general public later in 2022.

Chrome OS Flex remains in early entry mode; however, a put-upon Google Cloud blog confirms that the OS has identical codebases and appears to be the model working on Chromebooks.

It will even be on the identical launch cycle, so count on frequent updates. Some hardware-dependent options may not be available on older PCs, like always-on “Okay Google,” Android telephone syncing, and extra.

Unlike Home windows or macOS, Google claims Chrome OS Flex units will boot shortly, will not decelerate over time, mechanically replace within the background, and supply simple administration for enterprises. Do word that the OS is just suitable with Home windows and AMD-based PCs, with ARM units not being supported.

Whereas not helpful, you may additionally be capable of setting up Chrome OS Flex on Chromebooks that have reached their finish of life and not obtain updates from Google.

Chrome OS and Chrome OS Flex Are Not the Identical

There are some variations between Chrome OS Flex and Chrome OS, although. Because the latter runs on Chromebooks and different licensed Google merchandise. It provides extra safety features like Safe Boot, Trusted Platform Module to retail encryption keys securely, and automatic firmware updates.

Moreover, Chrome OS Flex doesn’t assist Android apps and misses out on Google Play Retailer entry, although Google Assistant might be current.

Proprietary ports and USB equipment like fingerprint readers, stylus, and Thunderbolt performance are usually not supported as effectively. You additionally can not run digital Home windows machines utilizing Parallels Desktop.

Chrome OS Flex misses zero-touch enrollment and compelled re-enrollment for simple fleet administration. The shortage of a Google safety chip also signifies that it doesn’t verify the entry and verified mode.

For now, the OS is within the early entry stage and is consistently being labored on, with the primary steady model anticipated to be out there within the “coming months.”

You Can Strive a Stay Model of Chrome OS Flex

You’ll be able to set up Chrome OS Flex in your previous PC or MacBook by making a bootable USB drive. For enterprises, the OS additionally helps community deployment.

You’ll be able to even check out a dwell model of the OS by booting instantly into it from a USB drive to get a grasp of the way it works earlier than deciding if it is value putting in in your previous PCs and MacBooks.

To strive for an early model of Chrome OS Flex, you may have to enter your particulars on the Chrome enterprise website to obtain hyperlinks and the setup directions.

Chrome OS May Assist Convey Previous PCs Again to Life

Chrome OS Flex feels like an ideal resolution to resurrect previous PCs and make them helpful once more. This can even get pleasure from lowering e-waste.

Nevertheless, whether or not the OS lives as much as its promise or not is one thing we are going to know when it’s launched publically solely.