Google has announced an operating system designed for old computers, Chrome OS Flex, making it ideal for small businesses and educational institutions. Google aims to have a positive impact on reducing global electronic waste as well. You can run Chrome OS Flex using just a USB drive, and setup takes a few minutes, according to TheNextWeb. This development follows Google's acquisition of Neverware in 2020, a company that enabled the installation of the Chrome operating system on old devices with its CloudReady software. There had been a report suggesting the direct integration of Google into the Chrome OS.
There are specific requirements you must meet before you can run Chrome OS Flex, including device specifications and compatibility. What do you need to run Chrome OS Flex? Here are the minimum hardware requirements to run Chrome OS Flex:
- Architecture: A device compatible with Intel or AMD x86-64 bit
- RAM: 4 GB
- Internal storage: 16 GB
- Device must be bootable from USB
- BIOS: Full admin access
You cannot run this operating system on devices equipped with ARM processors, such as Macs running on M1. Since ARM-based systems are generally newer, most can run modern software and do not necessarily need to be compatible with a lightweight operating system. However, Google warns that Chrome OS Flex may provide a suboptimal experience if your system uses components manufactured before 2010. Additionally, you may need to adjust your BIOS settings if you are unable to boot directly from the USB drive.
If you want to know if your old system can handle the challenge of running Chrome OS Flex, Google has prepared a user-friendly dashboard for approved models. All listed devices come with a "verified to work" rating, "expected secondary issues," and "expected major issues," allowing you to make an informed decision regarding the installation of Chrome OS Flex accordingly.
