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Chrome OS Flex turns an old Mac or PC into a Chromebook for free
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Have you got an old laptop that just can’t hack the demands ofWindowsand macOS anymore? Google has the answer – turn it into an effectiveChromebookfree of charge.
The new Chrome OS Flex software (formerly known as CloudReady in its former guise) is launching in early access today, and pledges to grant a new lease on life to hardware no longer supported by native operating systems.
Chrome OS Flex is the eventual result of Google’s purchase of Neverware in 2020, and offers a tempting solution for those seeking to use their old laptop as a lightweight option powered by Google’s cloud-based OS.
It could also be handy for schools seeking to extend the lives of the older computers housed in classrooms and libraries, as well as those seeing to donate machines rather than scrap them.
Users will get access to web apps and virtualisation, fast boot-up, background system updates and automatic protection against the latest security threats and a whole lot more.
There are two ways to try it. Initially, you can download Chrome OS Flex to a USB drive and then boot directly on top of the existing OS. If you like what you see it can be installed on a PC or Mac, replacing the old OS completely.
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You can learn more about Chrome OS Flex andget started here.
In a post on theGoogle Cloud blog, the company explains: “Chrome OS Flex is a new, free-to-download operating system from Google. Built for businesses and schools, it’s fully compatible with Google’s powerful cloud-based management. Chrome OS Flex modernises devices you already own, allowing you to experience the benefits of Chrome OS on PCs and Macs.”
It goes on: “Use Chrome OS Flex to maximize the life of your existing device fleet. Rather than disposing of aging PCs and Macs, refresh them with a modern and fast operating system to reduce e-waste.”
Chris Smith is a freelance technology journalist for a host of UK tech publications, including Trusted Reviews. He’s based in South Florida, USA. …
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Founded in 2003, Trusted Reviews exists to give our readers thorough, unbiased and independent advice on what to buy.
Today, we have millions of users a month from around the world, and assess more than 1,000 products a year.
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
