Revive your old PC or Mac with this free download

Many computer users feel the need to keep their devices up to date with the latest hardware. After all, if you don’t have the latest components or accessories, your laptop or desktop computer might not be compatible. Tap or click here for seven laptop maintenance steps you should do regularly to keep yours happy.

An excellent example of this is Windows 11. Your system must meet a few strict requirements before installing the operating system. So, if your computer didn’t make the cut, you might have opted to buy a new one that does.

But what do you do with your old machine? Or what can you do with a computer that hasn’t been powered up in a few years? Read on to discover how new software can give your once-dead computer a new lease on life.

Here’s the backstory

Windows 11 or even Windows 10 needs a fair bit of computing power for your machine to run efficiently. If you have an old MacBook, newer updates to macOS might not be compatible or could slow down your device.

So, what are you to do? Thanks to Google and some clever engineers, the company released an operating system that doesn’t much care for the components in your computer.

Google’s ChromeOS Flex is free, explicitly developed for businesses with a small turnover or cash-strapped families. The operating system lets your PC or Mac work like a Chromebook, needing fewer resources to run.

It can turn an old Windows laptop or MacBook into a Chromebook. The benefits of ChromeOS Flex are:

  • Laptops boot up quickly and the operating system updates automatically in the background.
  • Google’s apps and services like Docs and Sheets are always available.
  • You can sync your iCloud account with ChromeOS Flex.
  • Security features include the ability to block executable files from triggering.

It does come with a caveat, though. The entire experience is cloud-based, meaning you need a reliable and constant internet connection. You can still browse files on your device, but you won’t be able to access content in Google Drive or iCloud without an internet connection.

How to get ChromeOS Flex

If ChromeOS Flex seems like a good option, you’ll be happy to know that the installation process is relatively simple. You have two options, and Google will guide you through each.

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5 ways you're killing your laptop’s battery without realizing it

Computers get faster and more advanced daily, but that doesn’t mean you should constantly upgrade. Here are essential laptop maintenance tips that’ll keep your rig running smoothly for a long time.

Batteries aren’t meant to last forever. The one in your laptop has a limited lifecycle, just like any other. You don’t want it dying when you’re in the middle of some big project, do you? 

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Tech spring cleaning: Guide to a fresh phone, computer and TV

Moment of honesty. When was the last time you cleaned up your digital life? Maybe you dusted your monitor, cleared your inbox and sanitized your devices a couple of months ago. 

Good for you! And for the rest of us, it’s time for a fresh start.

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