Obtained an previous laptop computer or MacBook mendacity round? Google needs 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 at the moment are too sluggish for every day utilization. As a substitute of throwing them away, you’ll be able to set up Chrome OS Flex and repurpose them for another use.
What Is Chrome OS Flex?
Chrome OS Flex is a particular model of Chrome OS meant to increase the lifespan of older units and scale back e-waste. Will probably be useful for faculties and enterprises, as they’ll set up the working system on previous PCs and proceed utilizing them. Will probably be accessible totally free when it launches to the general public later in 2022.
Chrome OS Flex continues to be in early entry mode, however a submit on the Google Cloud blog confirms that the OS would have the identical code base and seem like the model working on Chromebooks.
It is going to even be on the identical launch cycle, so count on frequent updates. Some hardware-dependent options may not be accessible on older PCs, like always-on “Okay Google,” Android telephone syncing, and extra.
In contrast to Home windows or macOS, Google claims Chrome OS Flex units will boot shortly, will not decelerate over time, routinely replace within the background, and supply straightforward administration for enterprises. Do be aware that the OS is barely suitable with Home windows and AMD-based PCs, with ARM units not being supported.
Whereas not beneficial, you may additionally be capable to set up Chrome OS Flex on Chromebooks which have reached their finish of life and not obtain updates from Google.
Chrome OS and Chrome OS Flex Are Not the Similar
There are some variations between Chrome OS Flex and Chrome OS, although. For the reason that latter runs on Chromebooks and different licensed Google merchandise, it affords further safety features like Safe Boot, Trusted Platform Module to retailer encryption keys securely, and computerized firmware updates.
Moreover, Chrome OS Flex doesn’t assist Android apps and misses out on Google Play Retailer entry, although Google Assistant will probably be current.
Proprietary ports and USB equipment like fingerprint readers, stylus, and Thunderbolt performance should not supported, as properly. 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 dearth of a Google safety chip additionally implies that it doesn’t have verified entry and verified mode.
For now, the OS is within the early entry stage and is consistently being labored on, with the primary secure model anticipated to be accessible within the “coming months.”
You Can Strive a Reside Model of Chrome OS Flex
You may 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 may even check out a dwell model of the OS by booting instantly into it from a USB drive to get the dangle of the way it works earlier than deciding if it is value putting in in your previous PCs and MacBooks.
To attempt an early model of Chrome OS Flex, you may must enter your particulars on the Chrome enterprise website to entry the obtain hyperlink and the set up directions.
Chrome OS Might Assist Deliver Outdated PCs Again to Life
Chrome OS Flex feels like an ideal answer to resurrect previous PCs and make them helpful once more. This can even get pleasure from lowering e-waste.
Nonetheless, whether or not the OS lives as much as its promise or not is one thing we are going to solely know when it’s launched publically.
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