chromeOS Flex Comes To My Rescue For Free. It Can Do The Same For You.

Forbes

08-06-2025

Convert your tired old computer into a blazing fast Chromebook. At no cost.
My nine-computer odyssey started around mid-April. The Chromebook I'd been using as my everyday laptop for two years suddenly broke. So I ordered a replacement. After two days, the new machine started going bonkers – as if it was possessed. The keys looked like they were actively pressing things on the screen. At first, I assumed a key was stuck down. After closely examining the keyboard though, I realized that wasn't the issue. Assuming it was software-related, I rebooted the machine. The next day, I not only had the same issue but this time it jumped into my email program and started mass-deleting emails right before my eyes. Like in a horror movie. Which is especially odd because the email program does not allow you to do that manually. I immediately powered down the machine, only to later discover that 200-some emails had been permanently and mysteriously deleted. A Chrome expert ultimately checked the machine and suspected it was caused by a Chrome extension in the browser. Whatever. Machine No. 2 was long gone by then, back to the manufacturer.
In desperation, I tried using a brand-new Windows 11 laptop (Computer 3). Haven't used Windows in a decade and was quickly reminded why. It took two or three steps to accomplish anything that takes one step on a Chromebook. That doesn't sound like a big deal, until you're doing these steps every day all day. It adds up quickly. So I returned the laptop.
I then converted my son's old Windows laptop (Computer 4) to a Chromebook by installing chromeOS flex on it. This is a free program that I encourage anyone to try who is about to throw out an old Windows or Mac machine. It will revive the computer into a fast, useful existence. Well, most of the time. The laptop soon started doing the same thing as the other machine – with the uncontrollable cursor. But this time the cause was a cracked screen. Apparently the computer misinterpreted the screen crack as me pressing down on the touchscreen, which would override where I was trying to place the cursor. So I wiped the PC clean and donated it.
Then a friend graciously volunteered to give me two old Macs (Computers 5 and 6) to convert to chromeOS flex. I'd done it once before for a Macbook Pro, and it worked great. But for these two machines, it failed. The Macbook Air didn't have enough memory to support the job, while the iMac was able to take the software but it had no Bluetooth and another broken internal part. Six machines down, at this point.
I borrowed my wife's Chromebook (Computer 7) for just a week, and vowed to just go buy a new model (Computer 8). I did, and even though it was billed as an upscale model, I found the screen to be simply awful. To make matters worse, every video loaded up super slow. Returned it. And then finally, my same friend found an old laptop (Computer 9) at his office that had gone unused the last few years. I was able to install chromeOS flex on that and it's been a winner. In fact, I think it works better than any of the actual Chromebooks I've used through time. Maybe because its specs are better. This one is a keeper.
Which is why I'm a huge advocate of chromeOS flex. Converting your old machine is fast and easy. Seriously it does all the work, taking about five minutes to remove everything off your old machine and install a cloud-based operating system that's secure and easy to manage. As Google points out in its marketing of the software, it's a great way to breathe new life into your existing devices. Once it's installed, you'll be able to boot up your machine in six seconds. It performs automatic background updates, and it won't slow down over time. You'll be astounded at how your old laptop that could barely get on the web is suddenly surfing through like a brand new, high-end machine. As I found out, not every machine is compatible with it but most are. You can even try it on your old machine before permanently installing it.