ChromeOS Flex - a nice alternative for older PCs / Laptops

Like many of you, I have a portfolio of PCs, Laptops, Tablets, Phones, etc.  The challenge often is as these devices age, they have a harder time supporting the latest OS revisions from the major OS makers.  

So then - you refresh a laptop let's say - but the old one still runs fine, albeit maybe slower or maybe doesn't support the latest OS (Windows 11 for example) so you start asking your self - how do I keep this device alive, but still current..

For many years - I would install a Linux distro like Linux Mint or Clear Linux as an alternative OS.  99% of the time those OS would install perfectly, support all the internal devices like WiFi, Bluetooth, Sound, etc and so great you kept that device running.  

Linux on the desktop has come a long ways - the UIs now are excellent, there is a good selection of apps and they run on older hardware great.  But if you were trying to do a hand me down of that device to another family member - Linux can sometimes be just a little too foreign for them to enjoy it.  So now what...

In Feb of 2022, Google announced the development of ChromeOS Flex, a lightweight ChromeOS "like" disro that could be easily installed on older hardware both PC and some Macs.

The first release was in July of 2022 and Google has continued to maintain the builds, so I decided to give it a try.  

First though a few caveats.  As I mentioned above ChromeOS Flex is ChromeOS "like" but not a complete port.  For example ChromeOS Flex does not support Google Play or Android apps, nor does is support Parallels or the Linux Dev Environment.   Think of it more like a simple Chromebook build focused on Chrome browser and apps.  

Here is a link that describes the differences. 

https://support.google.com/chromeosflex/answer/11542901?hl=en&ref_topic=11618314&sjid=10028645039097242452-NA

Second - ChromeOS Flex is compatible with a lot of devices including some Macs, but not all - check the compatibility list to make sure it will run okay.  Generally ChromeOS Flex will probably install - but some features/specialized hardware may not work.   

https://support.google.com/chromeosflex/answer/11513094?sjid=10028645039097242452-NA#zippy=%2Capple

Once you've done that due diligence - its a pretty easy process to install.  Google offers a couple of options and I chose simply to down the image and then used Rufus to create a bootable USB.  FYI the image is NOT an ISO - but Rufus works with it fine.

Like with some Linux distros, once you've booted from USB you have the option to either run from USB to test drive or install on your device.   Like any new OS install it will wipe your device...   With that said the install is super fast and easy.

I installed ChromeOS Flex on a 6 year Dell Inspiron 15 2-in-1 with touch screen with no issues, all the key devices, video, sound, networking all worked including the touchscreen.  The only feature that isn't supported was the Windows Hello style infrared camera, but I wasn't expecting that.  If your system has a compatible TPM chip, Google will also fully encrypt your hard drive.  

From a navigational standpoint, once logged in, ChromeOS Flex looks and feels like ChromeOS.  When I compare it to my Pixelbook it's effectively identical.  

Where you notice a difference is around things like the lack of Android App support, so if you use those features today and expect everything to port over when you login with your Google credentials, it wont.   

With that said - the device boots quickly, responds very well and all other settings from your Google account will sync once you log in.  Plus features like Phone unlock work fine.   

Bottom line is this - if you have an older laptop, PC or Mac and want a lightweight OS that will run your device well and give it a few more years of life, definitely try ChromeOS Flex.  


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