Chrome OS has become an alternative to Windows and macOS in the operating system market, and this is especially true for the category of cheaper devices whose value falls under slightly more modest budgets. Chrome Flex Operating System was previously mostly tied to specific devices like Chromebooks, but Google has recently given the option to install it on PC and Mac devices.
You’ve probably read the news that the new version of Google’s operating system is called Chrome OS Flex and will be available for download from Windows and Mac users for testing.
What’s the Deal Here?
In 2020, Google took over Neverware, which created CloudReady, a Chromium-based operating system that allows you to turn your computer into a Chrome OS device. Chrome OS Flex can be viewed as the next version of CloudReady where Google actually integrated CloudReady into ChromeOS.
All this means that Chrome OS Flex has enabled fast and flexible installation of Chrome OS on PCs and Macs. Google with Chrome OS Flex is primarily aimed at business users and the education sector as it can be easily downloaded in bulk.
On Which Devices Can Chrome OS Flex Be Installed?
Chrome OS Flex can run on Windows, Mac, and Linux devices. Google states that Chrome OS Flex should work on most devices manufactured in the last ten years or so. Although Google guarantees the functionality of the operating system only on certified models, it has been shown that Chrome OS Flex can be installed on other devices.
The minimum hardware configuration for Chrome OS Flex is as follows:
- active Internet connection
- Intel or AMD x86 – 64-bit compatible processor
- 4 GB RAM
- 16 GB internal memory
- USB boot capability
- BIOS with full access as an administrator
Google says using processors and graphics cards older than 2010 can result in poor performance. It’s also stated that the Intel GMA 500, 600, 3600, and 3650 graphics cards don’t meet the required standards for Chrome OS Flex.
You can check out the complete list where you can see your Chrome OS Flex support status at Google’s help page for Chrome OS Flex.
What Do You Need to Know Before Installing Chrome OS Flex?
Chrome OS Flex is a version of Chrome OS, but still quite different from it. It can be said that Chrome OS Flex lacks some features because its distribution can’t be controlled.
Some of these missing features are:
- Verified boot procedure and Google security chip,
- Automated BIOS/UEFI firmware updates,
- Google Play and Android apps
- Linux operating environment (depending on device model),
- Possibility to use a parallel desktop,
- Additional hardware features: CD/DVD drive, fingerprint reader, face recognition cameras, FireWire ports, stylus and Thunderbolt usage, infrared (IR), etc.
Hardware support will be tied to certified device models, and Google notes that encrypted data may be compromised if the system doesn’t have TPM chip support. Even certified models sometimes can’t use certain features at full capacities such as automatic screen rotation, Bluetooth, keyboard shortcuts, touch screen commands, and SD cards.
Google offers a lot with Chrome OS Flex, but it’s also questionable and really depends on the computer model that users will have. Similar restrictions apply to older Chromebook models that don’t have official support for Chrome OS Flex.
The Procedure for Installing Chrome OS Flex
Before installing, you need to know that Chrome OS Flex is currently in the early stages of testing. To install Chrome OS Flex, you need a USB to create a boot device with a capacity of at least 8 GB. You must have the Google Chrome web browser installed on Chrome OS, Windows, Linux, or macOS to create a boot device.
The procedure for installing Chrome OS Flex is as follows:
- Open the Google Chrome web browser and install the Chromebook Recovery Utility from the Chrome Web Store.
- After installation, you need to click on the “Extensions” button in the upper right corner of the web browser and click on “Manage extensions”.
- Within the new interface on the tab associated with the Chromebook Recovery Utility, you need to make sure that the extension is turned on.
- Then, by tapping “Extension” and picking “Get started”, launch the Chromebook Recovery Utility extension.
- Click on the option “Select a model from the list”.
- Scroll to the bottom to “Google Chrome OS Flex” and hit it under “Select a manufacturer”. Then choose “Chrome OS Flex (Developer-Unstable)” from the “Select a product” drop-down selection and click “Continue”.
- Insert your USB into the slot after you are instructed to do so.
- After you’ve selected USB from the jump menu, tap on “Continue”.
- Click “Create now”.
After performing this step, the Chromebook Recovery Utility extension will notify you that the recovery media is prepared, and you should remove the USB from the slot.
You can now use the USB used to install Chrome Flex Operating System on your device. Insert the USB into the device while it’s off, then press the power button on the device and quickly press the button to access the boot menu. For example, these are most commonly the “F” keys (1, 2, 9, and 12), but also “Esc” or “Delete” keys – that if speak about PCs. The “Option” key is usually the key you need for this when using Mac. Select USB as the boot device below and follow the rest of the on-screen instructions to set up Chrome OS Flex.
Finally, it should be noted that Chrome OS Flex doesn’t need to be installed, but can only be tested from USB. Unfortunately, there’s bad news for gamers; even non-demanding video games like Angry Birds aren’t supported by Chrome OS Flex, let alone demanding titles like those popular for playing on PCs and betting on online casino’s sportsbooks at TopCasinoExpert in form of eSports, e.g. LoL, CoD, and others.