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Google's ChromeOS Flex Now Available to Turn Old Macs into Chromebooks

Lobitdepth said:
install linux instead and stop promoting this kind of horror please
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This is the frustrating part for me. There are literally dozens of quality linux distros - some are universal and run great or anything and some are even specifically optimized for Mac hardware. Yet MacRumors (and other blogs) don't cover them. But when Google releases the worst and most intrusive possible version of it, you guys throw it up on the front page.

FFS, be better!
 
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MacRumors said:


Google has officially released ChromeOS Flex, a method of replacing the operating system on older PCs and Macs that essentially turns them into Chromebooks.

chrome-os-flex-mac.jpeg

The idea is that if you have an aging Mac lying around that can't run macOS 12 Monterey, then you can install ChromeOS Flex on it using a bootable USB stick and then try out what Google's cloud-first operating system has to offer.

Google began testing ChromeOS Flex earlier this year with an early access preview. After having resolved 600 bugs since then, the company is encouraging individuals, schools, and businesses to download the software to "easily try modern computing with cloud-based management" while extending the lifespan of older devices, thereby reducing e-waste.

ChromeOS Flex is the result of Google's 2020 purchase of Neverware, a company that offered an app called CloudReady that allows users to convert old PCs into ChromeOS machines.

The operating system is certified to work on over 400 devices, including Macs released after 2010 with 16GB of free storage. Use of OS Flex is free for individuals, but schools and businesses using CloudReady will continue to be charged a fee and subscription rate, respectively.

Google says ChromeOS Flex has the same look and feel as the ChromeOS shipped with every Chromebook, as it's built on the same code base and includes Google Assistant, the Chrome browser, and Nearby Sharing. However, there's no Google Play Store, and Google has outlined some other, mainly system-level limitations of OS Flex that distinguish it from ChromeOS on native Google devices.

If you're not yet ready to install ChromeOS Flex on devices, you can temporarily run it using the USB installer. That way, you can test and verify that device functionality, such as networking and input tools, works as expected. For more help on the installation and configuration process, consult the ChromeOS Flex installation guide.

Article Link: Google's ChromeOS Flex Now Available to Turn Old Macs into Chromebooks
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yea sure lets freely give google even more data. freaking hate an "All-Cloud" OS.
 
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hagar said:
That’s not always the case. My 2015 iMac is useless after upgrading to Big Sur. Due to issues between the OS and Fusion Drive it takes 10 minutes to boot and launch MS Word. So this looks like a compelling alternative.
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Rip that Fusion Drive off!
you can buy adapters froh NVMe to Apples proprietary interface for less than 20 bucks. Get a 1TB SSD for a 100 more and a set of new adhesive strips.
 
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SoldOnApple said:
I'd take Snow Leopard over ChromeOS any day of the week. I actually miss Snow Leopard a lot :(
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There are now some Macbooks that are too new for Snow Leopard (they came out after) but too old for the latest and greatest, Monterey or Ventura. For example, the 2011 Macbook Air is stuck between Lion and High Sierra.
 
quatermass said:
Er... no.... why would anyone do this? Can't run Monterey? No probs, just run the latest Mac OS you device will support. I was using Catalina until last year, perfectly happy with it. What on earth would the benefit be in switching to this abomination? How is this even being considered as an option? Parchment and quill pen before I'd do this!
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There are a lot of older Macs that can't run anything close to a modern version of MacOS. 10+ year old hardware that is perfectly functional is gimped by not having modern OS support. As mentioned earlier, not being able to upgrade safari to get new certificates makes browsing the web impossible. This is a good option to extend the useful life of computers that otherwise would be destine for landfills.
 
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BF1M said:
Even a really old version of MacOS is better then the most current ChromeOS. This is pointless.
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Is it though? There are issues when you can no longer update your browser and will then find certain things much more difficult to do, like online banking. Not everyone cares about updating their computer every 5 years, nor do they need it. This is a simple and free solution to give basic web functionality to an old computer. Pretty amazing the reaction going on in this thread to having OPTIONS. No one has to do this, it is your choice, and that is the good thing, you have a choice, not locked down.

Of course with Apple being so "green" now I am sure they will find a way to stop this so these computers do end up in landfills and they get more money so they can get even greener!
 
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wonderings said:
Is it though? There are issues when you can no longer update your browser and will then find certain things much more difficult to do, like online banking. Not everyone cares about updating their computer every 5 years, nor do they need it. This is a simple and free solution to give basic web functionality to an old computer. Pretty amazing the reaction going on in this thread to having OPTIONS. No one has to do this, it is your choice, and that is the good thing, you have a choice, not locked down.

Of course with Apple being so "green" now I am sure they will find a way to stop this so these computers do end up in landfills and they get more money so they can get even greener!
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My wife's 2009 white unibody MacBook is still functioning fully and there are no limitations that I'm aware of doing anything online including banking, nor are there any limitations on what version of what browser that can be installed on it.

For the most part, Apple laptops outlast any Windows based machine from a functionality standpoint. macOS on our 13 year old MacBook runs smooth and does everything it needs to do. Same thing with her iPhone 7+.
 
I think this is a great idea. Not from google, just in general. Other companies should make operating systems for their competitors old computers. Then use that as a way to entice them into buying a competitors brand. Imagine if Apple let other non Apple computers or tablets install a simple version of their OS on them with basic functionality? I just think is dumb to allow the manufacturer to create upgrades to their own device that turn them into slow unresponsive dust collectors. You can get all the speed back in them with the right OS and some of the compatibility with todays internet if you go around the official OS. Planned obsolescence has caused way too many useful computers to end up being trashed.
 
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torontotim said:
My wife's 2009 white unibody MacBook is still functioning fully and there are no limitations that I'm aware of doing anything online including banking, nor are there any limitations on what version of what browser that can be installed on it.

For the most part, Apple laptops outlast any Windows based machine from a functionality standpoint. macOS on our 13 year old MacBook runs smooth and does everything it needs to do. Same thing with her iPhone 7+.
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Limitations come from the browser security and the bank. Some banks you will not be able to login with an older browser and if your OS is older and cannot use a newer browser then you will have trouble.

While I do agree that Apple computers in general last much longer in terms of being function, Windows stays functional much longer as there are fewer Windows updates that break functionality for apps in the previous version.
 
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Wahlstrm said:
I really don’t get all the negativity.

If we can squeeze a few more years out of any piece of tech it’s a huge win for the environment and the owner.
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Because it's ChromeOS. ChromeOS is crap. It's so barebone, requires an internet connection at all times, software compatibility is non existent, has Google's spyware software on it, and is programmed for planned obsolesce as EACH CHROMEBOOK HAS AN EXPIRATION DATE

There's better OSs than this. If you're truly gonna wipe macOS from that aged Macbook, install a Linux distro over ChromeOS. There's loads of lightweight distros that are miles better alternatives than ChromeOS. I recommend Zorin since it was designed to be user friendly and has a Lite version for really old computers.
 
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I did this yesterday to an old desktop tower for the fun of it. It's pretty cool.

I like the idea of putting something on there I don't have to take care of.
 
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