$3 ChromeOS Flex stick will revive old and outdated computers

https://9to5google.com/2026/03/10/this-3-chromeos-stick-will-revive-old-and-outdated-computers/

31•pentagrama•2h ago

Comments

Skidaddle•2h ago

Interesting idea - could it be done for a Linux distro?

ge96•2h ago

Is that what a live USB is say with Ubuntu

Not sure if ChromeOS Flex is supposed to wipe the host OS or just run on top of it.

jmclnx•1h ago

I do not understand this question.

Is there a reason you cannot install Linux ? Linux can be installed from a USB and should work on any system running windows 10.

If Linux is too heavy for your system, there is always NetBSD. I have NetBSD on an AMD 300MHz (= PII) with 512 MB memory and it runs fine.

ge96•1h ago

Funny I actually got an old netbook maxes out 2GB of ram, 32 bit, probably looking at some kind of Debian with i3-wm

I got it for nostalgia, the physical design of the laptop even though it's a thique brick

graemep•1h ago

Possibly Antix https://antixlinux.com/ ?

ge96•49m ago

Yeah saw a few options for these 32 bit netbooks

zdragnar•1h ago

Slax (https://www.slax.org/) runs entirely off of a USB stick. There's other options that have been around for awhile aimed at simple experiences for older and weak hardware.

Back in the netbook era, there were quite a few that tried to be internet browser focused like peppermint OS, though I don't know how well any of them faired with the rise of chromeos.

thekevan•1h ago

I still love Peppermint OS and have used it on several low end boxes.

It also didn't try to be internet browser focused, it just gave you easy ability to make the OS browser focused. Out of the box, it was like a better Lubuntu. You had the opportunity to chose what web based apps/services you would add.

ivell•1h ago

This is great! Only concern I have is that it seems Google is moving to Android Desktop OS. So would ChromeOS be supported in the future? What about the hardware support in this case?

Cockbrand•1h ago

Google guarantees ChromeOS Flex support for each supported model for a certain amount of time, see https://support.google.com/chromeosflex/answer/11513094

functionmouse•1h ago

Fighting obsolescence with "most likely to become obsolete" OS

beAbU•1h ago

This is a bootable USB memory stick with ChromeOS Flex on it.

sscarduzio•28m ago

Thanks for summarising

dpoloncsak•1h ago

There has to be a very niche market for people who want ChromeOS on their device but do not have the technical know-how to do so, or without a device that can flash an iso.

I guess for $3 it's not really a cash-grab or anything. Kinda nice to see vendor-supported live USBs honestly

turtlebits•1h ago

I'd say the majority of people don't know how to install an OS on a device and having the ability to run Chrome on what is likely e-waste is a good thing.

ge96•1h ago

I applaud the efforts of people/groups like MrChromeBox who figure out how to flash linux onto Chromebooks. There are great designs like the Samsung Galaxy book in red with Amoled display (thin metal body) unfortunately it only has 8GB of ram.

nix0n•59m ago

It kind of makes sense for it to be a partnership with Back Market, which also sells used hardware.

That way, the ChromeOS USB key can be an add on to the purchase of some old laptop that can barely run Windows anymore.

greatgib•25m ago

Old outdated computer will probably not have usb-3 so using it as a live-cd will be painfully slow.

gradientsrneat•17m ago

A Google partner is selling 3000 USB sticks with Linux distribution (ChromeOS) installers?

Honestly that's not a lot. It probably won't make a dent in either ChromeOS or Linux without considerable marketing effort and the right user expectations.

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