Google: Chrome OS Flex is now available to everyone

On July 18, 2022By Garmin Philip

Google operating system for old hardware

Google has announced the general availability of Chrome OS Flex. The operating system with low requirements is intended to breathe new life into old hardware as a Chromebook.

News

Woman uses laptop with Chrome OS Flex — With Chrome OS Flex, Google wants to give old devices a second life as Chromebooks.

Google’s lightweight Chrome OS Flex operating system is now generally available. Like the company in one blog post announces that Chrome OS Flex is now available for free download. Older PCs and Macs in particular should benefit from the operating system. Chrome OS Flex had already started a test phase in February.

Chrome OS Flex is a cloud-based operating system that is supposed to impress with its easy installation and management, high energy efficiency and efficient use of hardware. At the same time, security should not be neglected and electronic waste should be reduced through the extended service life of the devices, as Thomas Riedl, Director of Product Enterprise and Education at Google, explains:

“Upgrading devices to ChromeOS Flex rather than replacing them entirely is a powerful way to reduce e-waste and prevent this growing problem. And if the fans really need to be running to stay cool, you can rest easy because devices, Running ChromeOS Flex consumes on average 19% less power than other devices.”

Chrome OS Flex is based on the open source software Cloudready. Its manufacturer Neverware was taken over by Google in 2020. Existing cloud-ready systems are to be transferred to Chrome OS Flex in the future.

In addition to the broad availability, Chrome OS Flex also wants to score with problem-free distribution and integration in corporate environments. A Chrome Enterprise Upgrade is available for administration that allows joint administration with existing Chromebooks.

At the moment, several hundred devices from manufacturers such as Acer, Apple, Dell, HP, Intel and Lenovo are already certified for Chrome OS Flex. Google provides a complete list of all compatible models in the Operating system help area ready.

If you want to test Chrome OS Flex yourself, you will find both an (English-language) USB Installation Instructions for private users and one Test opportunity for companies.

Online Safety

Apple, Google and Microsoft encourage login without a password

Large companies such as Apple, Google and Microsoft want to encourage logins without a password in the future. As an alternative, the extended FIDO standard…

18.7.2022 from
Alan Friedrichs

Continue to home page