Old Chromebooks to use FlexOS?

[garethEds]

Afternoon,

 

This may be a stupid question; apologies if it is. If I have 100 Chrombooks that went out of security update in 2022 (running ChromeOS), would changing them over to Google FlexOS add more usable life to them? Can I even put FlexOS on an ageing Chromebook? These are HP Chromebook 14 G4 devices. The Google Admin console tells me they didn't get any more updates after October 2022 - surely that doesn't mean they are EOL? They are running fine, but we want them off our network and have considered giving them to our FSM pupils as standalone devices - if we can get more life out of them. I thought Flex OS - but am happy to be wrong.

 

Cheers

 

Gareth

Edited March 25, 2025 by 6Foot2

[TheHyperTechie]

Hi Gareth, unfortunately Google doesn't support the installation of Chrome OS flex onto AUE expired chromebooks. It covers it here in their FAQs.

[PotNoodleTech]

I dont think you can even install flex on a chromebook.

 

But yeah once the gogole update expires they are effectively EOL and won't pass any cybersecurity audit/certification/insurance.

 

We just get ours recycled sadly.  Mind you with the 1:1 the devices are pretty much decrepid if they manage to last to EOL.

[garethEds]

What a waste of tech.

[dmj]

just put a linux on it https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/HP_Chromebook_14

[Primus]

50 minutes ago, garethedmondson said:

What a waste of tech.

I dunno, it was an inexpensive device that was released in 2015 - everything has a limit, schools are just used to pushing the limit to and beyond breaking point. At least Google tell you upfront what the lifetime of the device is and when support ends and if anything they've been increasing the time between a device launching and it going end of life.

[icechris]

The way I read the statement is they won't provide help if there is an issue?

 

Google does not support installing ChromeOS Flex on a ChromeOS device that can no longer receive automatic updates.

While you might be able to install ChromeOS Flex on Intel or AMD x86 ChromeOS devices, we don’t support devices that can’t automatically receive updates. You might have issues with firmware and hardware compatibility, installation, and updates.

 

 

It is definitely possible to install the Flex OS onto the old HP's (I think might even be the same model as yours) as I've done around 10 so far. You need to remove the R/W screw on the motherboard to be able to install it. I used this guide - https://docs.mrchromebox.tech/docs/getting-started.html

 

I'm hoping we can get a year or two further out of them before we have to replace them. 

edit; I couldn't attach the image I was going to attach but I can drop you a PM with some info if you want. 

Edited March 26, 2025 by icechris

[paulkerton]

If Chromebooks are part of the eligible for the 10 years of extended support updates releases for Chromebook, then that is what you're getting anyway. The extended support version for devices older than 2021 is ChromeOS Flex, basically.

These dates are always and have always been published when devices are released, it's not like it's a surprise.

[PotNoodleTech]

It's a shame but nothing lasts for ever.

 

You've pretty much gotta throw ipads and androids out after 5 years due to o/s issues too.

 

At least chromebooks are cheap, unlike ipads.

[FN-GM]

20 hours ago, garethedmondson said:

What a waste of tech.

I disagree, Chromebooks have a considerably long lifespan compared to other devices. 

Edited March 26, 2025 by FN-GM