If your old laptop has been slowing down or collecting dust, Google may have a surprisingly cheap fix. The company has teamed up with Back Market, a platform known for refurbished electronics, to launch the ChromeOS Flex USB Kit.
For just $3, you get a USB stick loaded with ChromeOS Flex – Google’s free, lightweight operating system, along with simplified guides and video tutorials to walk you through the whole process.
Since Microsoft officially ended support for Windows 10 last October, that leaves millions of people with a choice – spend hundreds on a new device or keep running an increasingly vulnerable machine. This $3 kit is Google’s answer to that problem.
What ChromeOS Flex actually does and why it’s worth trying?
ChromeOS Flex is a stripped-down version of the OS that runs on Chromebooks, designed specifically to breathe life into older hardware. It works on a range of PCs and even some Macs, and runs smoothly on machines that would otherwise struggle.
Installation is also pretty straightforward. You turn off your laptop, plug in the USB stick, boot the machine, and install the OS from the drive. The kit includes all the instructions you need, and since ChromeOS Flex itself is free, the $3 just covers the physical drive and guides.
An initiative with sustainability in mind
Manufacturing a new laptop generates a significant carbon footprint, and Google notes that ChromeOS also uses around 19% less energy on average than comparable systems.
The USB drive itself is reusable and covered by a waste-compensation scheme through a partner called Closing the Loop, which collects and recycles an equivalent amount of e-waste per drive sold.
This is currently a pilot program with a limited number of kits available. Google says more will be produced if demand is strong.
You can also download ChromeOS Flex for free and create your own USB drive, but the kit simplifies the process for everyday users. Before you order the USB kit, you should check if your device is included in the list of compatible models.