On Tuesday, the organization introduced its ideas to launch Chrome OS Flex, a completely no cost offshoot of the Chrome OS working method you will frequently come across on economical laptops and all-in-just one desktops. The distinction? Rather of relying on new hardware, Chrome OS Flex is intended to operate on PCs and Macs as outdated as about 13 a long time. That usually means some of the computers amassing dust all-around the house can be pressed into company as World-wide-web searching devices, this time with up-to-day safety and some clean capabilities.

Google states Chrome OS Flex is technically intended for “businesses and universities,” but typical individuals will be able to obtain it by themselves. And with just a minor fiddling, it need to be easy plenty of to get the software program working on 10 years-old devices — assuming they nonetheless convert on, that is. But should really you choose the plunge and set up this stuff?

In time, perhaps. Chrome OS Flex is available now as “early access” software package, which suggests it probably won’t be as secure as the total-blown release coming in a couple of months. However, the application may possibly be just what some persons need to have to get their aging PCs doing the job reliably again. Here’s what you must know about how Chrome OS Flex works.

Almost certainly, unless you acquired it perfectly in advance of 2010. If your computer system has at the very least 4 gigabytes of RAM and a difficult drive with at minimum 16 GB of storage house, your new functioning method will likely operate just good.

That mentioned, the application will (obviously) run greater on some equipment than other people, and Google has experimented with to hold items uncomplicated by putting with each other a checklist of devices that have been “certified” to function with Chrome OS Flex. Don’t stress if your outdated computer’s unique design title doesn’t appear there, even though — most Home windows equipment and Intel Macs from the previous 10 decades must be able to operate the software program.

“The crew has definitely gotten some extremely obscure and outdated products doing the job,” reported Peter Du, communications supervisor for Google’s Chrome OS, in an email.

Beyond that, some evident caveats implement. The computer system even now has to flip on and be in decent doing work problem — Google can not magically unbreak bodily problems.

Google states the system is really clear-cut but we’ll have to test that claim for ourselves — the company’s set up manual receives really included. You’re meant to down load the software program onto a USB stick, which you then plug into the outdated pc in problem. The moment you have set that pc to look for USB drives initially when turning on, it ought to load the program from the USB adhere and allow you get Chrome OS Flex for a examination push before committing to anything.

If you make your mind up to make the change to Chrome OS Flex lasting, you will use the very same USB adhere to set up that software in excess of what ever else could currently be on that challenging drive. This is a long term adjust, so this now is the time to back up all your vital files and media from your machine if you haven’t currently.

Not like your regular Windows or Mac computer system, a machine running Chrome OS Flex is primarily intended for receiving people up and functioning in a Web browser. That sounds fairly constrained — and it can be — but that however usually means you can stream tunes, binge video clips, edit pictures and get some creating finished.

If poking all over on the Web is a thing you or your relatives spends a large amount of time undertaking, an added personal computer operating this software could come in handy. A few takes advantage of come to brain: It’s possible it becomes a committed machine for the youngsters, which you can remotely regulate with Google’s Spouse and children Connection application. A Chrome OS Flex pc would also make for a terrific “guest” device for folks who quit by and want to do anything on the net their telephones can’t manage. (I preserve effectively-beloved laptop computer in my living place for just this cause.)

Given that this is Google software package we’re chatting about, it also comes with a handful of familiar-sounding capabilities, like support for Google Assistant and the potential to connect to your Android mobile phone to get incoming notifications on your pc screen. That reported, not all of these new options will perform on just about every previous personal computer, so it’s worthy of holding your expectations in look at.

By significantly, the most significant disadvantage is software help. There basically is not any.

Until the corporation at the rear of your favourite software has a version that functions within a Net browser, you are most likely out of luck. And although modern day Chromebooks have the ability to down load and install Android applications from Google’s Play Retail store, you can not do that on an previous computer functioning Chrome OS Flex. (If you know your way all over solutions like Citrix Workspace, you could use software within digital versions of Windows within Chrome, but that gets tricky fast.)

There are also some points Chrome OS was never seriously built to do, like participate in audio or motion pictures off CDs or DVDs. (Yes, that suggests the CD or DVD drive that arrived crafted into your laptop or computer won’t get the job done anymore.) The identical is legitimate for fingerprint scanners, face recognition cameras and styluses that your pc could have been meant to perform with. Google’s software program merely does not know what to do with them.

If Google’s computer software doesn’t seem to be like a excellent in good shape to you, there are a lot of other issues for which to use your aged computer systems.

Convert it into a server: Obtained a assortment of home videos and, ahem, legitimately obtained digital films? If they can fit on your previous computer’s tough generate, put in an app known as Plex and use that machine as the cornerstone of your individual individual Netflix.

Recycle it: If your computer is not super aged, it could possibly be a worthwhile donation to an individual else who could use it. Punch your Zip code into Digitunity’s research device — it’ll display you nearby nonprofits searching for the tech you no extended need.

Sell it: Feel it or not, there is no shortage of folks inclined to invest in previous desktops from expert services like eBay and Facebook Marketplace. Some of them want further elements. Other folks are on the lookout for period-precise devices to engage in older video games. Either way, there is a really good prospect somebody out there will find as a great deal value in your outdated tech as you made use of to.