Chrome OS Flex: Google launches new operating system for Windows computers and Macs

Google’s Chrome OS operating system has gained in importance in the last two years but is still in a niche compared to the top dogs from a global perspective. With a fresh start, that could change, because, with the brand new product Chrome OS Flex, Chrome OS can be installed very easily on old Windows computers or Macs. That has potential.

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Almost two years ago, Google took over the developers behind the CloudReady project and announced that it wanted to continue this approach – and now there are the first results. The new product ChromeOS Flex is now available as a preview and can be downloaded free of charge. Chrome OS Flex is a full-fledged Chrome OS operating system that has made it its mission to save old hardware in this step.

The hardware requirements are kept as low as possible so that it can actually be installed on almost all computers – whereby one also speaks of devices that are up to ten years old. Of course, some Chromebook-specific things are missing, from the customized keyboard as a visible difference to the security chip that makes Chromebooks a fortress. Here are the system requirements:

  • Architecture: Intel or AMD x86-64-bit compatible device
  • RAM: 4GB
  • Internal storage: 16GB
  • Bootable from a USB drive
  • BIOS: Full administrator access. You’ll need to boot from the Chrome OS Flex USB installer and make some
  • adjustments in the BIOS if you run into issues.
  • Processor and graphics: Components made before 2010 might result in a poor experience.
  • Note: Intel GMA 500, 600, 3600, and 3650 graphics hardware do not meet Chrome OS Flex performance standards.

Anyone who wants to try out the “cloud-first operating system” can do so immediately – but always under the premise of early access, so problems could still arise. However, everything worked quite well with CloudReady and Google must have already extensively tested this strategically very important product. It is an exciting development that can be used to hijack Windows computers and Macs quite easily.

Chrome OS Flex can also be installed on a USB stick, so you can try it out without much risk and the existing operating system configuration is preserved. The Chrome OS installed in this way still lacks some things like support for Android apps or Linux applications, but that can certainly follow in the future. I think that the final version will only be announced in three months around the Google I/O. And then things will get exciting again on the market for desktop operating systems.

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