Google might breathe new life into old Chromebooks with ChromeOS Flex
(www.techradar.com)
from Salamendacious@lemmy.world to technology@lemmy.world on 18 Oct 2023 12:19
https://lemmy.world/post/6974370
from Salamendacious@lemmy.world to technology@lemmy.world on 18 Oct 2023 12:19
https://lemmy.world/post/6974370
Don’t throw away your out-of-date Chromebook just yet as newly found evidence suggests Google may expand the availability of ChromeOS Flex to the old laptops.
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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.
Chrome OS is Linux though, so you’re basically just degoogling it with a cousin distro.
a worthy cause
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 : mrchromebox.tech/#home
I love LinuxMint
The amount of Chromebooks that go to waste in K-12 schools is insane. So it is nice to see Google taking action on this, especially since its largest market are schools.
Even if they couldn’t be used for whatever reason the schools could sell them or give them to students.
That’s a potential solution but the problem is that IT departments in schools are replacing them when they reach EOL in regards to security patches (since testing software isn’t supported). While there may be people interested, I can’t see many wanting to buy chromebooks that won’t be getting security patches and are sluggish.
The batteries are usually trash on these too because they’re constantly cycling the battery. Sometimes multiple times a day. Anything that potentially keeps them out of a landfill is a win in my book.
Agreed. This and Googles announcement last month of supporting new chromebooks for 10 years is a step in the right direction.
My Chromebook went EOL this summer. I can’t decide if I want to get another Chromebook or a Windows laptop. Chromebooks are not as cheap as they used to be but I’ve been hearing Windows is considering a subscription model. In the vein of Adobe’s subscription suite I imagine. 10 years of updates plus some kind of post-EOL Linux path might push me over the edge.
what about Linux? you get a real OS plus security updates until your hardware lasts
In another comment I said that I tried putting Linux on a different EOL Chromebook and something went wrong, it’s entirely possible I did something wrong, but it won’t work now. I don’t want to take the chance of killing this Chromebook too.
well you were considering buying a windows laptop. just do that and put Linux on it. better and more varied hardware than Chromebooks, a OS with no EOL, no spyware, and if you’ve been using Chromebook you probably don’t need nothing windows specific so it’s a win.
I’m not a Linux aficionado. I’ve been using Windows machines for a long time and I feel confident doing basic things like navigating control panel and updating drivers but I’ve never used a fully functional Linux OS. I wouldn’t know how to do anything and while I might consider trying it on a backup netbook or something I don’t want to spend money on something with a learning curve. Years ago I put OS/2 Warp on my machine and it was a nightmare trying to figure out how to do anything. I’m not interested in doing that all over again.
Okay if you want to dip your feet into Linux and see how you feel consider a live USB. It is a whole operating system on a flash drive. At this point you need a flash drive to install it anyway so you can play with it first and see how you like it. I would recommend Linux Mint. It is one of the most user friendly flavors out there. It comes with most of not all proprietary drives ready to go. Its goal is to make Linux the most user friendly experience. It can be installed with a few different desktop environments. If you are trying a light weight machine go for Xfce. Really at this point the difference between the user experience between mint and windows is almost zero. It is entirely possible that you could never open up a command line terminal.
You’re saying it like they didn’t create this problem in the first place.
Also, you know what would’ve been a better solution? If you can install whatever you want to install (e.g. Linux or Windows) like you can with regular laptops.
Oh in no way am I saying that Google is a good guy here. I’m sure that if it were up to them, they would keep the current status quo.
They are only doing this due to the pressure they’re getting for their poor track record of supporting their devices. But it is still a step in the direction nonetheless.