It wasn’t your traditional operating system. It was a full-on OS that consisted of a web browser and a web browser only. There are no dirty hacks required-it just works. Chrome OS was literally designed as an extension of Chrome. You can even watch Netflix in Chrome on Linux now. They’re also a great way to upgrade any old computers you have that may be running Windows XP or Windows Vista, giving them a modern operating system with security updates and an up-to-date browser for free.

Linux distributions make a great choice if you’re just looking for a basic desktop environment to browse on. Consult our guide to the best Linux distributions for beginners to choose one that works for you. On the surface, this sounds a little crazy who would spend more money to buy an expensive. RELATED: The Best Linux Distributions for Beginnersįor example, Lubuntu is a great option if you’re looking for a lightweight Linux desktop that will run well on an older computer. Chrome OS Flex is a cloud-first operating system that is built to install on a Windows PC or a Mac. Rather than attempting to install the open source version of Chrome OS or a Linux distribution designed to look like Chrome OS, you can just install a Linux distribution with a lightweight desktop environment-or any desktop environment, really-and use Chrome on that. Any lightweight Linux distribution can work well, providing a minimal desktop where you can run Chrome-or another browser, like Firefox. Google officially supports Chrome on Linux. Alternatively: Try a Lightweight Linux Desktop

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