Google Wants to Turn Your Old Mac into a Chromebook With Chrome OS Flex

[LV426]

Google didn't "volunteer". They found a way to make money from users with old Macs.

And no, if Apple did the same with old Chromebooks, it wouldn't be "super-embarrassing for Google". For example, if Apple turned old Chromebooks into machines that run Apple Music and Apple TV+, that would make Apple money and wouldn't be of interest to Google. Google did the equivalent here.

Try looking up the word "volunteer" in a dictionary: a person who freely offers to take part in an enterprise or undertake a task.

And try reading what I wrote: Apple installing an operating system on a Chromebook, the equivalent of what Google has done, would be an embarrassment to Google. Nothing to do with installing Apple Music etc on devices.

 

[TiggrToo]

I'm not "blaming" anybody for anything. And you are guessing incorrectly, without justification, that I see Google as a benevolent company. I regard Google in exactly the opposite light, as it happens.

I'm getting a bit fed up repeating myself: Google are doing something new. They are providing an easy install of their OS to consumers, not to linux hacks, and this announcement has had massive publicity. Listen, it's not something I would ever use, but they are targeting your average Joe who has old Apple equipment.

Your own words betray you.

You're bearing the drum for Google loud and strong, totally given them a free pass for their own failures, and pretending that this is something new.

In addition, as much as you.may claim otherwise, this will be another Google failed project.

When you champion Google you champion a company that is horribly willing to cull projects left, right, up, down and center.

But you are willing to ignore all this because?

And yet, you pushed this part of the thread. Don't be surprised if folk push back on your posts.

 

[TiggrToo]

Try looking up the word "volunteer" in a dictionary: a person who freely offers to take part in an enterprise or undertake a task.

And try reading what I wrote: Apple installing an operating system on a Chromebook, the equivalent of what Google has done, would be an embarrassment to Google. Nothing to do with installing Apple Music etc on devices.

The opposite is actually more true.

Want to know just why it's so hard to install other operating systems on ChromeBooks? It's because Google deliberately and methodically made it so.

Last I remembered you had to take the bloody machine apart first just to disable the BIOS protections.

Older Intel Macs - not as much.

But hey, you do you and champion the ad-slinger for being "nice" enough to offer this "solution" up.

There's no free lunch with Google. They're not doing this to be nice, They're doing this to get your data.

The exact opposite of what you get with Apple.

 

[chucker23n1]

I'm getting a bit fed up repeating myself: Google are doing something new.

There's not much new here.

They are providing an easy install of their OS to consumers, not to linux hacks, and this announcement has had massive publicity.

Yes. It's literally made headlines on page one of newspapers today. Oh wait, no, that was quite a different story involving Europe.

Listen, it's not something I would ever use, but they are targeting your average Joe who has old Apple equipment.

So nice of them.

Try looking up the word "volunteer" in a dictionary: a person who freely offers to take part in an enterprise or undertake a task.

Yes. In other words, definitely not Google. They're not "volunteering"; they've found a business model.

And try reading what I wrote: Apple installing an operating system on a Chromebook, the equivalent of what Google has done, would be an embarrassment to Google. Nothing to do with installing Apple Music etc on devices.

No, it's exactly the same thing.

The scenario here is that Google has found a way to collect data from more users. The equivalent would be for Apple to find more paid services customers.

 

[LV426]

Your own words betray you.

You're bearing the drum for Google loud and strong, totally given them a free pass for their own failures, and pretending that this is something new.

In addition, as much as you.may claim otherwise, this will be another Google failed project.

When you champion Google you champion a company that is horribly willing to cull projects left, right, up, down and center.

But you are willing to ignore all this because?

And yet, you pushed this part of the thread. Don't be surprised if folk push back on your posts.

Please stop telling lies. My words most certainly do not "betray me". You will never find any post I have ever made on this website championing Google. Further, I repeat: I am not a Google fan and would never install any of their software, myself.

I will let The Register explain to you why this is a big deal.

"What's new is that this is now Google-sanctioned. As of now, Chrome OS Flex still has some limitations. Significantly, Flex can't run Android apps, although supported hardware can run the Crostini container for full-fat local Linux apps."

"What this really represents is a potential mass-market free client OS for people and companies who are already happy with exclusively web-based tools. Yes, it's just an extremely cut-down Linux distro that works well on very low-end hardware, and there are lots of those – but this one comes gratisfrom a big, well-known name and it has existing management tools."

Please take up your unconvincing arguments with The Register.

 

[LV426]

There's not much new here.



Yes. It's literally made headlines on page one of newspapers today. Oh wait, no, that was quite a different story involving Europe.



So nice of them.



Yes. In other words, definitely not Google. They're not "volunteering"; they've found a business model.



No, it's exactly the same thing.

The scenario here is that Google has found a way to collect data from more users. The equivalent would be for Apple to find more paid services customers.

You can stop spreading lies and obfuscation as well. See post 306 above for further details.

The "scenario" is described exactly as reported in The Register. Google's ability to make money and/or collect user data is not relevant.

 

[webkit]

Please read my numerous responses to this question as to why Apple should be embarrassed. Regardless of whether it makes the company more or less money.

I don't see what Apple should be embarrassed about. Apple actually tends to support their phones and computers longer than competitors, and doesn't seem to have a problem with third party companies providing support for old devices. It's just not a business they're interested in themselves.

Google doesn't recommend using Chrome OS Flex on Chromebooks. Why doesn't Google want to support old Chromebook devices?

 

[chucker23n1]

The "scenario" is described exactly as reported in The Register. Google's ability to make money and/or collect user data is not relevant.

Are you now contending that Google doesn't have a profit motive in this?

Talk about… embarrassing.

 

[kc9hzn]

Many in here keep on going on about Linux. What these people fail to understand is that Linux is not an easy OS to install or use for the computer illiterate. Also, if Linux is the better OS to use on old macs and PC's then why hasn't a company come forward to do just that? Millions of old mac and pc's get thrown out because Microsoft and Apple no longer support the OS that ran on them and they end up on the scrap heap because it is not in the companies interest to keep old computers running, they want you to purchase the latest and best.

Nearly everything in todays society needs to use the internet, sending emails, online banking, watching movies and sport via web streaming services, ordering products and food. Finding information about jobs, education and they all have one thing in common, they need a working and usable web browser but the problem is many old computers are not able to use the web because the software is too old and does not support many of the features of todays web browsers. If Google is able to do this with Chrome then it is good for the masses who are unable to afford the latest computers. As others have already point out, it would benefit those who do not need powerful computer,s just a basic computer that allows them to connect to the internet.

No, offense, but have you actually tried installing Linux? Especially a fairly mainstream distro like Ubuntu? Honestly, it’s no harder than installing Windows 10 (might actually be easier, depending on whether drivers for your SSD drive are included in Ubuntu, I had to seek them out on my phone last time I installed Windows). So long as you’ve got a fairly sane hardware configuration, it’ll probably work (especially if you’re letting Linux take over the whole machine instead of dual booting and needing to muck around with partition tables, and that’s true of any OS).

Oh sure, there ARE Linux distros that are harder to install (like Arch Linux), but the appeal of those is the level of customization that their install process gives (including the ability to choose everything, down to your favorite bootloader, graphical login, and desktop environment). Those distros just aren’t the sort that mainstream users would put on an older machine or that Linux fans would direct a newbie to (that would more likely be Ubuntu, especially Xubuntu, or Mint).

Edit: Oh, and, if your hardware configuration breaks under Ubuntu, it’s likely to break under Gentoo (and by extension, Chrome OS Flex), too. Chrome OS Flex is likely no easier to install than modern versions of Ubuntu.

 

[TiggrToo]

Are you now contending that Google doesn't have a profit motive in this?

Talk about… embarrassing.

Meanwhile @LV426 seems to be so excited by this they've not even checked the compatibility matrix from Google:

So, only iMacs up until mid 2010 are supported and the only MacBook Pro is the mid 2012 model, etc.

Yup, I can see why Apple would be worried and concerned... /s

Certified models list - ChromeOS Flex Help

Last updated on: May 06th, 2025To ensure a consistent and high-quality experience, Google individually certifies and maintains a list of models that you can use with ChromeOS Flex. Model status

support.google.com

 

[MacBH928]

Er, wot?

You can continue to use your hardware AND all the apps - even when unsupported.

And why won't folk address the issue that ChromeBooks have a fixed 5 year lifespan - from launch day.

Why do the Google apologetics here focus on Apple and totally ignore that the situation is far worse with ChromeBooks.

But no, let's talk about how Apple are bad leaving MUCH MUCH older devices unsupported. Folk, don't stare at the elephants in the middle of the room - all those ChromeBooks released in 2016 that are now totally out of support.

My 2015 MacBook Pro is still rocking Monterey and will most likely still get security updates for another 3 years yet...

well when you use Apple software it will be unsupported and unsupported means you will lack new updates and securities although your hardware can totally handle it.

According to the article the new ChromeOS will keep your apple hardware up to date with the latest software unlike Apple that will abandon you. This is also true if you use a linux distro which releases modern software for older devices.

Modern linux software can run on some crazy low specs like 16MB RAM and 200Mhz (video )
No its not pleasant but its modern I guess and supported! You can just imagine the spectrum of linux distros now for all hardware specs.

 

[MacBH928]

Many in here keep on going on about Linux. What these people fail to understand is that Linux is not an easy OS to install or use for the computer illiterate. Also, if Linux is the better OS to use on old macs and PC's then why hasn't a company come forward to do just that? Millions of old mac and pc's get thrown out because Microsoft and Apple no longer support the OS that ran on them and they end up on the scrap heap because it is not in the companies interest to keep old computers running, they want you to purchase the latest and best.

Nearly everything in todays society needs to use the internet, sending emails, online banking, watching movies and sport via web streaming services, ordering products and food. Finding information about jobs, education and they all have one thing in common, they need a working and usable web browser but the problem is many old computers are not able to use the web because the software is too old and does not support many of the features of todays web browsers. If Google is able to do this with Chrome then it is good for the masses who are unable to afford the latest computers. As others have already point out, it would benefit those who do not need powerful computer,s just a basic computer that allows them to connect to the internet.

I used linux mint and was easier to use than Windows. Don't believe me? try it yourself!

 

[saulinpa]

According to the article the new ChromeOS will keep your apple hardware up to date with the latest software unlike Apple that will abandon you. This is also true if you use a linux distro which releases modern software for older devices.

Yes, it will be up to date until Google decides to give up on the project like they have done with so many others. The support is from a company that Google bought which they can sell or shutdown at any time. It may be fine now but don't depend on it.

 

[LV426]

Are you now contending that Google doesn't have a profit motive in this?

Talk about… embarrassing.

No, I am not contending any such thing. If I did, I would have said so.

Google will certainly monetise this, but that is completely irrelevant to the issue at hand: namely, that supporting old unsupported Macs with a new supported operating system is, or should be, an embarrassment to Apple. I would remind you that 70% of posters on this thread agree with this proposition.

 

[TiggrToo]

well when you use Apple software it will be unsupported and unsupported means you will lack new updates and securities although your hardware can totally handle it.

According to the article the new ChromeOS will keep your apple hardware up to date with the latest software unlike Apple that will abandon you. This is also true if you use a linux distro which releases modern software for older devices.

Modern linux software can run on some crazy low specs like 16MB RAM and 200Mhz (video )
No its not pleasant but its modern I guess and supported! You can just imagine the spectrum of linux distros now for all hardware specs.

Oh I get that - none of this is lost on me.

Three things though:

1) All you get is the ability to reuse the hardware. Software wise - you’re **** out of luck since you’re now on Chrome Flex OS.
2) Right now Google have a very limited list of validated targets and they’re all very old hardware
3) ChromeBook users with devices older than 5 years (from release date) are also **** out of luck.

This move just feels exceptionally disingenuous by Google and more a thinly veiled attempt to stick a middle finger towards Apple and less giving a tinkers-bell about actually supporting users of old technology (given 3) above.

 

[TiggrToo]

No, I am not contending any such thing. If I did, I would have said so.

Google will certainly monetise this, but that is completely irrelevant to the issue at hand: namely, that supporting old unsupported Macs with a new supported operating system is, or should be, an embarrassment to Apple. I would remind you that 70% of posters on this thread agree with this proposition.

You keep saying that but apparently Google FAILING to support older ChromeBooks isn’t embarrassing for Google?

Why are you so fixated on something so emotional? Focus on facts.

 

[chucker23n1]

I would remind you that 70% of posters on this thread agree with this proposition.

I haven’t seen anyone other than you make this argument.

 

[LV426]

I haven’t seen anyone other than you make this argument.

Then you haven’t counted the number of up-votes in my original posting.

 

[webkit]

Google will certainly monetise this, but that is completely irrelevant to the issue at hand: namely, that supporting old unsupported Macs with a new supported operating system is, or should be, an embarrassment to Apple.

Is there a reason why you haven't addressed the fact that Google doesn't support their old products? You are saying it's embarrassing for Apple yet seem to be giving Google a pass for doing, or not doing in this case, the same thing.

Apple actually provides support for their products longer than most, if not all, competitors do for their own products. It is one of the reasons why Apple devices tend to have better resale values. It's too bad more Apple competitors don't step up to support their own products as long as Apple does.

 

[glaze]

I'm a long term linux veteran of almost 20 years. Cutting my teeth on Gentoo for at least 10 of those.

I've got to say, I'm surprised at the number of Apple haters on this site. Why are you here ?

Linux is great for what it is. There is nothing, absolutely nothing that Apple does that cannot be replicated on Linux; nothing !

The difference is in the user experience, and maintenance.

My Apple journey began in 2015, and got earnest since 2019 or thereabouts: so have no concrete experience with Apple/iOS/macOS before then.

Bit-by-bit, I was stunned by the ease of working in macOS: Apple pours resources into setting-up the system in such a way that you get straight to work. There's close to no friction between the idea you have in your head, and executing it in the OS/App. Then there's the integration with the other Apple devices via iCloud. Then you take the privacy considerations into account. All these things add-up to serve YOU ! With Linux, it's the other way around: you find yourself having to maintain config files, customising, filling-in bug reports, recompiling, rsyncing backups, maintaining mixed software versions. These things get in the way of your experience as a user, and deceptively sucks your time away from living your life.

An old MBP/iMac can still perform as a computer with Chrome/Linux etc, but only in essence. The experience would be totally different for the average macOS user. I certainly am never returning to Linux, not even to keep old hardware going, and that's saying something.

The guy who puts his money down for a brand new Rolls Royce, or even a Toyota for that matter, is buying a certain experience, reliability and support, than the person buying a discontinued model. Yes, he can still get support from a third party, but his expectations of experience, reliability and support are completely different. I certainly can't imagine a person who's moved to the Apple ecosystem from Linux, or where ever, be willing to install ChromeOS on his unsupported Apple device just so he can keep the hardware going; maybe if you only use third party apps that are OS agnostic: but then, why buy a new Apple device to begin with ?

To be sure, I'm glad Linux/BSD/Windows/Google etc are all there to keep everybody honest, but my-oh-my, Apple's doing a magnificent job.

MAGNIFICENT.

 

[TiggrToo]

Then you haven’t counted the number of up-votes in my original posting.

Sorry, since when were up-votes anything other than simple up-votes?

 

[kc9hzn]

The more I think about it, the more I really think this is mostly intended for school IT to extend Chrome OS’s hold on the educational market further. Because, yeah, this only works if everything you’re doing is web based multiplatform (often true in education these days) or can easily replace your existing software options with web based multiplatform ones.

 

[gank41]

The more I think about it, the more I really think this is mostly intended for school IT to extend Chrome OS’s hold on the educational market further. Because, yeah, this only works if everything you’re doing is web based multiplatform (often true in education these days) or can easily replace your existing software options with web based multiplatform ones.

I'm really looking forward to having my daughter's Google Classroom contained on a USB drive for on-the-go use as opposed to just signing into Chrome with her Google Classroom account on someone else's computer. I'm still struggling to see why there's so many haters, in any capacity, regarding this whole dealio. Don't like it? Great! Don't use it. But for those that do, and for those of us that have to, this is pretty cool.

 

[TiggrToo]

I'm really looking forward to having my daughter's Google Classroom contained on a USB drive for on-the-go use as opposed to just signing into Chrome with her Google Classroom account on someone else's computer. I'm still struggling to see why there's so many haters, in any capacity, regarding this whole dealio. Don't like it? Great! Don't use it. But for those that do, and for those of us that have to, this is pretty cool.

None of us here "hate" the idea. If Google can do this then more power to them.

The issue is a very few individuals who are singing Google's praises whilst ignoring it's failures - and the scope of the project.

It's rather hypocritical for folk to go on about how this must be embarrassing for Apple, while meanwhile Google are letting huge numbers of their own ChromeBooks go out of support.

A little honesty about this goes an awful long way.

 

[throAU]

Ouch! That’s gotta be kind of embarrassing for Apple. They won’t support old yet viable hardware, whereas Google will.

lol clearly you’ve never tried to contact google for support