Where does ChromeOS Flex come from?
We all know Chrome OSthe operating system that we see integrated into, normally, desktop computers and laptops with limited hardware and that Google sells through well-known integrators at quite attractive prices, although we have also recently found more advanced and capable machines, some with nothing to envy in hardware to Windows devices.
ChromeOS is an operating system developed by Google where the installation of applications is very limited and where all the functionality focuses above all on online connectivity and cloud services and of course with special emphasis on the brand's own services.
Chrome is its functional axis, everything is built around it, although Google has opened its hand quite widely allowing, on selected machines, the execution of native applications for Linux. Each ChromeBook, laptop, and ChromeBox, desktop machine, has direct support from Google, must be certified.
ChromeOS, like Chrome, They have an open source base, even more so taking into account that the operating system draws on the entire development of Linux, which as you know is an open source operating system based on Unix, another operating system used in the past and which is currently the basis of countless systems. operating systems and development environments that are the spearhead of modern computing: Linux, macOS, FreeBSD, OpenBSD and Solaris or also, GNU Compiler Collection (GCC), Shell Bash, etc. In fact, its influence extends to Windows from Windows NT with even more presence in Windows 2000 onwards.
ChomiumOS is therefore a Linux operating system which can be installed on almost any machine, regardless of the hardware layer, being compatible with ARM, x86 processors (Intel, AMD and others) as well as other processors such as those with RISC architecture. That is to say, there has never been a real limitation on using this operating system, although it is true that Google has always given priority to supporting its sales version.
One of the most advanced versions of ChromiumOS, in terms of support and ease of installation, was CloudReady. Cloudready was a free version of ChromiumOS that was marketed with support for businesses and organizations.
With careful support of the most classic machines in these environments to give them a new life within the Google ecosystem. The company behind this initiative was Neverware, founded in 2011, and was acquired by Google in 2021, with CloudReady undoubtedly being the real basis of the current ChromeOS Flex open to home and professional environments, these also with dedicated payment services.
The essence of ChromeOS Flex is to open support, to more machines, but also concentrate efforts on reference machines where official long-term support is included. A good example is Microsoft's Surface Pro, which finds more support in this operating system than it has ever had from Microsoft.
How to test and install ChromeOS Flex
We do not need any special hardware but it is clear that the more standard it is, the less problems we will have with wireless connectivity, such as Wifi or Bluetooth, or graphics drivers. All of this counts, but the truth is that the ChromeOS Flex support base has improved a lot over the years. Now it is rare that something does not work properly, although we will always have limitations with respect to “original” machines such as access to the Linux subsystem or the installation of Android applications.
To install it we must have a pendrive on hand, 16GB and can be something fast, especially in reading, so that the start and installation are quick and efficient. Preparing the pendrive requires another computer, with Chrome, because the creator of the units is an application or “addon” of this Google browser.
First we open Chrome, go to this link, to install the Chromebook machine recovery:
- We add the browser extension and run it.
- We hit the start button
- Now we select the model from a list
- Manufacturer Google ChromeOS Flex
- ChromeOS Flex Product
- We click on continue
- We select the USB drive that we have connected to the PC
- Continue and select the stable version, the first one. Click on the “Create now” button.
- We wait for the process to download and finish configuring the USB drive, this takes a few minutes.
How to test and install on the target machine
ChromeOS Flex can be run without installing locally on the target computer, so we can test the operation before formatting the target computer with this new operating system.
The first thing to keep in mind is precisely that we will lose the data of that machine that we want to recovermake a backup of what is important, and that, even if it is an old machine and the objective is to give it new life, without a doubt this operating system It works significantly better on SSD units, of any type, and with a minimum of 4GB of RAM. For me, they are the minimum to have a satisfactory experience and I believe that currently with a minimal investment we can achieve these improvements in machines that are expandable. And we can also find second-hand machines, which are perfect for this system, some with official support until 2026, such as Microsoft's Surface Pro 3, a 2-in-1 launched on the market in 2014.
To run the system test we have to configure the computer to boot from USB. An easy task, properly configuring the system bios.
- We boot from USB
We choose whether to run from the pendrive or install
ChromeOS Flex allows execution from the pendrive, with some limitations such as the possibility of installing Android applications or running the Linux subsystem and also the performance is much lower, although this will also depend on the USB interface and the USB drive of our computer.
We can do the installation at any time, there is a menu for it at login and our profile settings are maintained, even if we use it from the pendrive. It can be a good option to have an “online” operating system on any computer where we are allowed to boot and change the boot to USB drives.
The installation only has one step, click the install button and confirm. It does not ask us if we want to confirm deleting data from the computer's main unit, so we must keep this in mind to avoid any scares with our data. If we need them, we must make a copy first.
My experience on a Surface Pro 3 and an Intel Compute Stick M3-6Y30
I currently use this operating system natively on two different old computers. Microsoft's Surface Pro 3, from 2014, with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. This unit has official support from Google for ChromeOS Flex until the end of 2026, so it still has two years left where care, updates and full compatibility are guaranteed.
Everything on this device works perfectly, connections, wireless connectivity, Bluetooth connectivity, the aspect ratio of the screen is perfectly configured, in addition to its touch and capacitive capabilities, compatible peripherals such as keyboards and pointers also work. The support is complete and seamless. With a fourth generation Core i5, with 2 cores and 4 threads and 8GB of RAM, the truth is that the performance is unbeatable.
The system loads very quickly, it goes to sleep and turns on by closing the keyboard, it supports all function keys, it configures the on-screen or physical keyboard depending on whether we connect the latter or not, there are no problems of any kind and the performance is better. How appropriate. I can't think of a better way than to give new life to this 2-in-1 that I already bought second-hand a few years ago for very little money.
Now the whole family uses it as an auxiliary computer, each one with their Google profile, including child profiles perfectly managed with Google Family parental controls. We can also install the Linux development subsystem, to run any Linux application or also install Android applications, there is no functional limitation between the operation of ChromeOS on this unit compared to other Chromebooks.
As for the other PC where I have it installed, which has also given a new life, it is a Intel Compute Stick with M3-6Y30 processor two cores and four threads. This PC has 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage and its processor is noticeably slower than the Core i5 of the Surface Pro 3.
On this computer, which was no longer supported by Windows 11, due to processor limitations, ChromeOS Flex It is another breath of fresh air so that it can continue to be used as a perfect PC to use on the television, although it does not support 4k at 60Hz, or to get out of trouble at any time since we can power it via USB and it only requires an HDMI port any to function.
Everything also works perfectly, all ports, WiFi, Bluetooth, screen connectivity and charging is fast and agile. Its 4GB of RAM is undoubtedly a limitation but this operating system is designed precisely for machines with similar profiles, little storage because online storage and cloud applications are sought more, and a limited amount of RAM because the running processes are gone. to concentrate on the use of the browser.
In my case, I undoubtedly use the Surface Pro 3 more, the change from Windows 10, the latest supported version, to ChromeOS Flex has been a revolution and the family is also used to this operating system, using it in the educational environment, So the adaptation has been perfect and makes you feel quite proud of being able to continue using with agility hardware that is already ten years old, unthinkable in the PC world.
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