3 ms·

Why all the shilling for ChromeOS? We've been able to resurrect old PCs for years with the right GNU/Linux distribution, or NetBSD, or OpenBSD. I'm typing this

Why all the shilling for ChromeOS? We've been able to resurrect old PCs for years with the right GNU/Linux distribution, or NetBSD, or OpenBSD. I'm typing this on a Thinkpad T42 running Slackware 15, for shit's sake.

allears 4y ago
Google is pushing this story -- it's appeared on other sites as well. Obviously, Google would love to add more nodes to its information-gathering network.
CrankyBear 4y ago
Because, as the record shows, only techie people resurrect PCs with Linux. This is aimed at people who just needs basic web-browser based computing and wouldn't know a shell from GNOME.
- EddieDante 4y ago
  And they're supposed to be able to install an operating system? Is the ChromeOS install process that schmuckproof?
  - RalfWausE 4y ago
    It is. I have recently "revived" an older Sony Vaio laptop with ChromeOS Flex after hearing about it in nearly every media, and the installation process is totally idiot proof.
jaclaz 4y ago
Also the "old" might be "relative", the minimum hardware requisites are: https://support.google.com/chromeosflex/answer/11552529?hl=en https://support.google.com/chromeosflex/answer/11552529?hl=e... Minimum device requirements: Architecture: Intel or AMD x86-64-bit compatible device RAM: 4 GB Internal storage: 16 GB Bootable from USB drive BIOS: Full administrator access. You’ll need to boot from the Chrome OS Flex USB installer and make some adjustments in the BIOS if you run into issues. Processor and graphics: Components made before 2010 might result in a poor experience. Note: Intel GMA 500, 600, 3600, and 3650 graphics hardware do not meet Chrome OS Flex performance standards. And the actually certified list is not that big (possibly it will grow in time): https://support.google.com/chromeosflex/answer/11513094 https://support.google.com/chromeosflex/answer/11513094 I had hoped that the memory and processor requirements were lower (I was expecting that it could work on pre-2010 stuff, 2 GB ram and older processors). In this article on ZDnet: https://www.zdnet.com/article/how-i-revived-three-ancient-laptops-with-chrome-os-flex/ https://www.zdnet.com/article/how-i-revived-three-ancient-la... the Author defines "ancient" the three PC's he tested: 1) Dell Inspiron Intel i7 and 16GB RAM 2) 2011 iMac with i5 and 4 GB RAM 3) 2011 Mac Mini with an Intel i5 and 8GB of RAM At least #1 above seems to me like pretty decent hardware, I am clearly getting old.

allears 4y ago

Google is pushing this story -- it's appeared on other sites as well. Obviously, Google would love to add more nodes to its information-gathering network.

CrankyBear 4y ago

Because, as the record shows, only techie people resurrect PCs with Linux. This is aimed at people who just needs basic web-browser based computing and wouldn't know a shell from GNOME.

EddieDante 4y ago
And they're supposed to be able to install an operating system? Is the ChromeOS install process that schmuckproof?
- RalfWausE 4y ago
  It is. I have recently "revived" an older Sony Vaio laptop with ChromeOS Flex after hearing about it in nearly every media, and the installation process is totally idiot proof.

jaclaz 4y ago

Also the "old" might be "relative", the minimum hardware requisites are: https://support.google.com/chromeosflex/answer/11552529?hl=en https://support.google.com/chromeosflex/answer/11552529?hl=e... Minimum device requirements: Architecture: Intel or AMD x86-64-bit compatible device RAM: 4 GB Internal storage: 16 GB Bootable from USB drive BIOS: Full administrator access. You’ll need to boot from the Chrome OS Flex USB installer and make some adjustments in the BIOS if you run into issues. Processor and graphics: Components made before 2010 might result in a poor experience. Note: Intel GMA 500, 600, 3600, and 3650 graphics hardware do not meet Chrome OS Flex performance standards. And the actually certified list is not that big (possibly it will grow in time): https://support.google.com/chromeosflex/answer/11513094 https://support.google.com/chromeosflex/answer/11513094 I had hoped that the memory and processor requirements were lower (I was expecting that it could work on pre-2010 stuff, 2 GB ram and older processors). In this article on ZDnet: https://www.zdnet.com/article/how-i-revived-three-ancient-laptops-with-chrome-os-flex/ https://www.zdnet.com/article/how-i-revived-three-ancient-la... the Author defines "ancient" the three PC's he tested: 1) Dell Inspiron Intel i7 and 16GB RAM 2) 2011 iMac with i5 and 4 GB RAM 3) 2011 Mac Mini with an Intel i5 and 8GB of RAM At least #1 above seems to me like pretty decent hardware, I am clearly getting old.