Google brings Chrome OS to Mac with new Chrome OS Flex

“Today, we’re excited to announce early access to a new version of Chrome OS bringing the benefits of Chrome OS to PCs and Macs. Chrome OS Flex is the cloud-first, fast, easy-to manage, and secure operating system for PCs and Macs.”

What you need to know

There’s a new way to run Chrome OS on a Mac.
Chrome OS Flex is a tool for businesses and schools that can help them run Chrome OS on old Pcs and Macs.
It’s free and totally compatible with all of Google’s services.

Google has a new Chrome OS Flex system that will let schools and businesses run Chrome OS on old Macs and PCs, the company has announced.

In a blog post Tuesday Google stated:

Today, we’re excited to announce early access to a new version of Chrome OS bringing the benefits of Chrome OS to PCs and Macs. Chrome OS Flex is the cloud-first, fast, easy-to manage, and secure operating system for PCs and Macs. Learn more below, try it out, and share your feedback to help us shape this product.

Chrome OS Flex is designed with schools and businesses in mind and hopes to solve the issues of end-user computing that plague both, such as slow boot times, updates, security, legacy device management, and more. Google has built the system off the back of its acquisition of Neverware in 2020.

Chrome OS Flex is free to download and fully compatible with Google’s cloud-based management service and “modernizes devices you already own, allowing you to experience the benefits of Chrome OS on PCs and Macs.”

That includes access to web apps and virtualization, security protection, fast installation through USB or network deployments, and more. Chrome OS Flex is built around the same code base as Chrome OS and is available for testing and feedback now. All users need is a USB drive and a PC or Mac to get started.

Chrome OS Flex could help breathe some new life into old Macs, especially those running on Intel’s chips now the company is moving to its own in-house Apple silicon, which powers all of its best MacBooks and desktops including the MacBook Air with M1 and last year’s new MacBook Pro (2021).

The company is expected to debut a new M2 13-inch MacBook Pro at a March Spring event next month.