Google’s Chrome OS Flex is now available for old PCs and Macs

Image: Google

The new version of Chrome OS is designed for businesses and schools to use on old PCs and Macs. The company has resolved 600 bugs since it began testing Flex in an early access preview.

Businesses running old Windows PCs are the focus of Chrome OS Flex, which has been tested and verified by a number of manufacturers. Flex will work on some older Macs.

Businesses don't have to ditch existing hardware to get the latest modern operating system because of the support of old hardware. Installation is easy with more than 400 devices that are certified to work.

Even if your device isn't yet certified, you can still use Chrome OS Flex, says Thomas Riedl, director of product, enterprise, and education. Minor issues, instability, and boot problems are possible on devices that aren't supported by the government.

The acquisition of Neverware allowed for the creation of Chrome OS Flex, a system that allows users to convert old PCs into Chrome OS systems. Less than a year after Microsoft released Windows 11 with strict hardware requirements, it arrives.

Businesses and schools that want to update and simplify their IT setup or improve security are being offered the chance to do so by Google. Some organizations can reduce e-waste and energy consumption thanks to this flexibility.

The biggest draw will probably be Chrome OS Flex as an answer to the growing threat of ransomware, particularly for businesses that have been hit and are willing to switch to another operating system. Chrome OS is more secure than Windows, making it harder for attackers.

The Nordic Choice Hotels had to shut down operations in December due to a cyberattack. The US government has been aggressively pursuing the Conti Ransomware, which locked the hotel's computers and held them hostage. The hotel chain's 2,000 Windows machines were converted to Chrome OS Flex in less than 48 hours, after considering a switch to the OS as a sustainable effort. The employees were given a one-page document on how to upgrade.

Some businesses and schools won't be able to easily switch to Chrome OS Flex if they use existing Windows systems that are designed with Windows in mind. Microsoft has dominated PCs for more than 30 years, so there are deep-rooted dependencies that can't be solved by a single solution. The drawbacks of relying on a cloud-powered OS include two bad Chrome OS updates that left some locked out of their Chromebooks and others with performance issues.

The world has seen that there is a strong alternative to Windows in the form of Chromebooks. There are people who want to move away from Windows.