Google Confirms that Chrome OS is coming to PCs and Macs

It's intended for use in Schools and Businesses.

Google has revealed early access to Chrome OS Flex, a new version of Chrome OS. The latest version of Chrome OS, which is aimed at companies and schools, can run on outdated PCs and Macs. According to Google's blog post, the operating system may be deployed "in minutes."

Chrome OS Flex, according to Google, will look and feel just like Chrome OS on a Chromebook because it is based on the same code base and follows the same "release cadence."

Some functionality may be depending on the hardware of the PC you're using, however. It said this for every feature I asked about, including Google Assistant's always-on mode and Android phone synchronization. So keep an eye out if you're going to give it a shot.

This isn't the first time Chrome OS has appeared on devices it wasn't designed for. Neverware, which previously provided an application called CloudReady that allowed customers to turn obsolete PCs into Chrome OS computers, was recently purchased by Google. This sparked curiosity about Chrome OS's future on PCs and where it might appear next.

"We've been hard at work integrating the benefits of CloudReady into a new version of Chrome OS," Google said of the acquisition. This appears to be the initial move taken by Google.

You can learn more about Chrome OS Flex on the Chrome Enterprise Website if you want to give it a try. It's worth noting that the OS is still in early access mode, so you can run into glitches – you can boot it directly from a USB drive if you'd prefer play around with it before installing it.

It might be difficult to figure out what to do with old technology in your life. This is particularly true for older PCs.

Some towns and cities have electronic waste recycling programs, and you can always hand over your old computers to big-box merchants. However, ensuring that the technology we use remains useful for as long as possible is a vital aspect of addressing the growing e-waste problem. And it turns out that Google has some new software that could help.

Is it simple to set up?

Google claims that the process is simple, but we'll have to put that claim to the test because the company's setup guide is somewhat detailed. You'll need to save the software on a USB stick, which you'll then insert into the old machine. Once you've configured your computer to check for USB devices first when it boots up, it should install the software from the USB stick and allow you to try out Chrome OS Flex before committing to anything.

If you decide to make Chrome OS Flex your permanent operating system, you'll use the same USB stick to install it over whatever else is currently on your hard drive. This is a permanent change, so if you haven't already, back up all of your important information and media from your machine.