By Tech Target 
Well, a few days back I faced a really typical kind of problem: better termed as what to do with the old machine now that had been languishing in the corner of my room. After thinking a lot, I figured out a pretty weird but perfectly rational way out: turning it into a Chromebook.
Transforming an Old Computer into a Chromebook
Like most people, I find it hard to let go of one’s things that continue to work, especially if they are somewhat sentimental. Although I could still run my old laptop, it had crossed way beyond the age limit for using the newer versions of Windows or macOS smoothly. Thus, I set out exploring something different: Chrome OS Flex.
This free operating system caters to the relics and reanimates them into living machines. Instead of the typical operating systems, Chrome OS Flex is minimalistic and concentrates on the web and Google ecosystem, making it a pretty good lifeline for people surf, write, or perform other everyday tasks using their machines. It definitely seemed like just the ticket for recycling my ageing laptop into something functional rather than leaving it behind entirely.
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Where to Begin?
First, before all else, my old computer should be checked to see if it would indeed be able to run with Chrome OS Flex. It is quite fortunate because the said system requirements are pretty minimal: x86-64, 4GB RAM, 16GB of storage, and a processor and graphics card from 2010 or later. After confirming that my laptop had all those specifications, I was set for go.
In less than twenty-four hours, my old machine could be transformed into a Chromebook. Thanks to ample instructions from Google, in preparation I created a bootable USB drive and started the installation. The entire setup was quite easy, but paying attention to detail helps in every tech installation.
How Does Chrome OS Flex Actually Work?
The performance of Chromebook Flex has really impressed me, post-installation. The interface is so intuitive, I could quickly customize my settings and preferences, especially for privacy and syncing with my other Chrome devices. I had no devices to sync, but it was surely a nice thought!
Getting acquainted with my “new” Chromebook has been a flowery experience. Browsing, document writing, and video watching have turned this old laptop into a responsive and surprisingly fast machine. Not that it could break records in performance, but it was far better than the uses I had for it while it had a Windows installation that was slow, almost unusable.
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Why Did It Feel Much Better?
Giving my old laptop a second chance was a satisfying thing to do, but this was especially gratifying because it is considered eco-friendly. Extending the life of a device prevents material consumption and reduces e-waste. Less money was spent on not having to purchase a new device. And with innovations such as Chrome OS Flex, it is becoming easier to breathe new life into old tech and have it work for immediate needs.
The best part is, in the end, transforming the old computer into a Chromebook is an asset in practical terms and an asset that one may take his money. So, if you have a telltale sign in your house that is an old device, then why did you not consider the new installation of Chrome OS Flex? It would be easier, less costly, and greener than you think!