Don’t throw away your old laptop, you can give it a second life by transforming it into a Chromebook

Unfortunately, computers (or any other electronic devices) do not last a lifetime. Over time, that old hardware starts to feeland even the manufacturers and those responsible for their updates forget about them and stop updating them, although there are developers who resist longer.

However, you don’t need to throw away the computer you kept in the drawer after replacing it with a newer computer. It is possible to offer him a second vinea, we only need a lighter and less demanding operating system, ideal for browsing the Internet and using web applications, those that we use constantly even on our latest generation computer.

Chrome OS Flex, an operating system to give a second life to your old laptop

The idea of ​​giving new life to a laptop with limited or old hardware is not new, but in recent years new alternatives have been born, some very interesting. It’s been years what I did was opt for a Linux distributionI went through several: Ubuntu, Debian and Linux Mint, focusing on the latter because it is quite light and efficient.

But Google has an operating system called Chrome OS Flex that allows giving new life to old equipment. It should not be confused with Chrome OS, they are different: Flex is a cloud management system focused on Internet connection, ideal for web applications and, of course, for everything you can do from Chrome.

During our tests, we were able to turn a 2014 MacBook Pro into a Chromebook with Chrome OS Flex. Or rather, that’s what my colleague Eva did, documenting her entire experience at Genbeta.

According to Google, Chrome OS Flex is compatible with computers released within the last 10 years or more. They have a long list of certified models, with the following requirements:

• X86-64 architecture from Intel or AMD
• CPU and GPU after 2010
• At least 4 GB of RAM
• At least 16 GB of storage

Comply with the requirements, the installation process is very simpleespecially if we use the Chromebook Recovery Tool, an extension that will help us step by step to create the installation drive.

How to install Chrome OS Flex on an old computer

• We go to the Chrome OS Flex website and click where it says “Are you interested in using Chrome OS Flex at home?” Click here”. Or simply, we click here.
• We install the Chromebook Recovery Tool from this link and follow the steps indicated by this extension, including use a USB stick with at least 8 GB of storage to create the bootable drive. Keep in mind that the USB drive will be formatted, deleting all of its contents.
• In the process of creating the boot drive, we select Google Chrome OS Flex as the product and manufacturer, follow the next steps, and then wait. The process takes approximately 15 minutes and it is important not to turn off the computer or remove the USB stick during this time, or lose access to the Internet.

• On the old computer we backup all the files that we want to save, because by installing Chrome OS Flex the process will delete the entire previous system and its files.
• We insert the USB memory into the old computer (while it is off) and hold the necessary key to enter the BIOS and, in this way, choose USB as the boot drive. Key varies by manufacturerhere are some of the most common:

• After starting the installation process, We follow the steps on the screen and that’s it. Once the process is complete, the laptop will have the Chrome OS Flex operating system so you can give it a new life, either by using it as a secondary computer or by giving it to a family member who can benefit.

The whole process is really simple. In the case of my partner Eva, she comments that It took less than half an hour andCreate the bootable drive and install the operating system on your ten year old MacBook Pro. Giving our old devices a new use not only allows us to continue using them, but also reduces the number of devices that end up in the trash.

This is something we can also do with old cell phones, turning them into surveillance cameras, GPS navigators or even a remote control for television.

Cover image | Eva Rodriguez de Luis

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