Google Chrome OS comes bundled with Chromebooks and Chromebox. Either you will have to purchase these devices from nearest retailers or you may run Linux Distributions of the Chrome OS on any other device including your existing Windows PC or Mac. Linux Distributions of Chrome OS are based on the original Google Chrome OS with limited compatibility. There is an open source installation available on Chromium project site (Google Chrome OS is a modified version of Chromium OS) to install Google Chrome OS on non-chromebook devices but it involves few tech savvy steps. Don’t worry, if you want to try the Chrome OS ( Always a new computer ) without much effort, checkout a simple way to run Chrome OS on non-chromebook devices (like Windows notebooks, netbooks, laptop, desktop etc.) by just booting the device using 4GB+ USB pen drive.
Follow the steps below to get Chrome OS running in less than 5 minutes.
Chrome OS will welcome you with Google Chrome help document. You can navigate to the different options like settings, web store etc.
The desktop of Chrome OS is having only one option i.e. ‘Change the Wallpaper’. Here is how the desktop of Chrome OS looks with a pre-installed wallpaper.
Cloud Print
Chrome OS is all about cloud computing as you store most of your data on cloud and access that from there only. If you want to print a document, you can use Google Cloud Print application which is available on Chrome browser settings panel. You just need to locate the printing devices (Cloud Print ready Printers or normal old printers).
Always a New Computer
Google and Samsung promote the Chromebook or Chromebox as “Always a new computer” because everything is on cloud and the OS, browser etc. gets auto-update without any charges. You are not storing anything on local device and whenever you change your Chromebook or login to your friend’s Chromebook with your Google Credentials, you will see all your apps and bookmarks there as well (just like your own Chromebook).
This is true with this Linux distribution as well. As you are using Google Credentials in this Chrome OS to login, your data will be synchronized with your Google Account. Whenever you login to a Chrombook or Chrome OS Linux Distribution, you will be able to see all your apps and bookmarks everywhere.
Sync all your data like bookmarks, settings, apps, extensions, passwords, autofill, themes etc. in Chrome OS
How much do you save by NOT purchasing a Chrombook or Chrombox?
I am not saying that with this Linux distribution you are having the same device and OS as Chromebook but it is really really close. Google Chrome OS is also based on Ubuntu and Chromium OS which are open source but Google is shipping Chrome OS with Chromebooks only. This Linux distribution is having all the capabilities of Chrome OS (with some bugs and fixes) and it runs as smooth as any other operating system.
If you install this Linux distribution of Chrome OS on your existing notebook or desktop, you save the amount equal to any of the devices mentioned below.
Samsung Series 5 550 Wi-Fi Chromebook Samsung Series 5 Chromebook Samsung Series 5 550 Chromebook 3G Chromebox
$449.99
$349.99
$549.99
$409.99
What are you waiting for, go and grab a copy of Vanilla or Lime version of Linux Distribution of Chrome OS and convert your existing notebook into a Chromebook.
Dell Mini 10 running Chrome OS
Chrome OS Login Screen on Dell Mini 10 (1012)