As Microsoft ceased support for Windows 10 six months ago, numerous laptops are now vulnerable to cyber threats and malware due to the lack of essential security updates. While some newer laptops can be upgraded to Windows 11 through Microsoft’s update program, older PCs that do not meet the system requirements present users with a challenging dilemma.
Users of unsupported laptops have three options: continue using them without support, pay for extended updates (ESUs), or replace the devices with new ones pre-installed with Windows 11. In a bid to offer an alternative for aging PCs and prevent them from becoming electronic waste, Google has partnered with refurbished electronics retailer Back Market to introduce a USB kit featuring ChromeOS Flex software.
ChromeOS Flex serves as a lightweight operating system that can breathe new life into older computers, essentially turning them into Chromebook-style devices. By installing ChromeOS Flex, users can access services like Chrome, Gmail, Docs, and the Android app store without the need to purchase a new laptop.
While ChromeOS Flex has always been available as a free download from Google, the new USB kits aim to simplify the installation process. Users can even test the system directly from the USB drive before proceeding with a full installation, a feature that has garnered significant popularity, leading to the current unavailability of the kits.
In a blog post, Google stated, “Last October marked a turning point for hundreds of millions of computers. Microsoft Windows 10 reached its end of support, putting those computers at risk of obsolescence. This left many people with a difficult decision: spend hundreds on a new device, or continue using an insecure, outdated one.”
The ChromeOS Flex USB kit, priced around £3, offers a reusable USB stick to reduce electronic waste further. Demand for the kit is high, with Back Market reporting it as currently out of stock.
Besides extending the lifespan of old laptops, ChromeOS Flex could also have environmental benefits, as Google highlighted, “The manufacturing process of a new laptop is responsible for a large part of its carbon footprint. ChromeOS Flex allows the already-manufactured device to be used for longer, which keeps hardware out of landfills and avoids the emissions of making a new device. Savings do not stop there, ChromeOS also consumes 19% less energy on average than other comparable systems.”
For those considering the switch, ChromeOS Flex is compatible with various devices.