The problem with many older computers is that they usually get a little cumbersome to use after a few years, as the hardware no longer keeps up with the times. Google thinks they have a solution for Chrome OS Flex, a version of Chrome OS that can be installed on most older computers. So far, Chrome OS Flex is available in early accessor beta as it was called before, but anyone can download it and try it out on their PC.
Chrome OS Flex is based on Cloudready from Neverware, a company that Google acquired in 2020. Cloudready is still available, but it has a number of limitations that Chrome OS Flex has to address. Perhaps the most important difference is that Chrome OS Flex gets updates as soon as Google releases an update for Chrome OS, while Cloudready takes a little longer. Chrome OS Flex also supports Google Assistant, which Cloudready does not.
The system requirements for Chrome OS Flex are relatively low, but initially, at least an 8GB USB drive is required to download the operating system for. You can then boot your computer directly from it, without requiring any installation. This way, you can try it out and see how Chrome OS Flex works on different devices before permanent installation.
Otherwise, an x86-64-enabled processor is required, which means 32-bit processors are not welcome, at least 4GB of base memory and 16GB of storage. Google warns that components older than 2010 lead to a poor user experience.
Google has one List on different computers Tested with Chrome OS Flex, both relatively new PCs and many older PCs from a variety of manufacturers are included. Some models from Apple are also slightly inverted. Dell, HP and Lenovo are over-represented compared to other brands.
It should be added that full BIOS access is required, since you must be able to select the boot device to start Chrome OS Flex for the first time. Google plans to release an exact version of Chrome OS Flex in the second quarter of this year.
Is Chrome OS Flex something you can consider for an older PC?
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