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Google might breathe new life into old Chromebooks with ChromeOS Flex (www.techradar.com)

submitted 11 months ago by Salamendacious@lemmy.world to c/technology@lemmy.world

9 comments fedilink hide all child comments

Don’t throw away your out-of-date Chromebook just yet as newly found evidence suggests Google may expand the availability of ChromeOS Flex to the old laptops.

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[–] TheGrandNagus@lemmy.world 12 points 11 months ago (2 children)

So it's like installing a normal Linux distro, only more cumbersome, complicated, less capable a system, and full of the usual Google spyware. Cool.

Just install Linux Mint or something.

[–] Illogicalbit@lemmy.world 6 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago)

I’ve installed this on an old Chromebook already and it does work. You have to dig around for it a bit online but it has been available publicly for a while.

However , surprise, if it’s an old Chromebook you’re going to have to remove the internal write protect screw or use a Susie-q cable to make it the primary operating system on the device as they never intended for you to overwrite the existing os.

You can boot from usb or dual boot though.

Edit: plug for this awesome site that lets you update bios on chromebooks : https://mrchromebox.tech/#home

[–] SamVergeudetZeit@feddit.de 1 points 11 months ago

I love LinuxMint

[–] kaitco@lemmy.world 9 points 11 months ago (3 children)

Just run Ubuntu or Mint on the old Chromebook and be done with it.

Linux turns a Chromebook into a fully functional machine, and since they are so cheap, you can get a halfway decent “Linuxbook” for less than $200.

[–] fernandorincon@reddthat.com 7 points 11 months ago (1 children)

The advantage seems to be that you would not need to reflash the bios. For some models getting to the screw is not as easy and the cable needed to unlock other models is not being sold anymore.

[–] kaitco@lemmy.world 3 points 11 months ago

I could see that being a huge benefit. It became a matter of principle for me when it came to getting that screw off in the end. 😬

That said, they could just not put that screw in there that prevents people from doing what they want with their equipment.

[–] db2@sopuli.xyz 4 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Chrome OS is Linux though, so you're basically just degoogling it with a cousin distro.

[–] logicbomb@lemmy.world 2 points 11 months ago

degoogling

a worthy cause

[–] Salamendacious@lemmy.world 2 points 11 months ago

I tried putting Linux on an old Chromebook once and it became unusable. Probably my own fault but I'm very reluctant to try again. If Google released something then I'd feel more confident in the process.