Can Google Chrome OS Be Used on Any Machine?

Google’s Chrome operating system is primarily intended to be installed on notebooks called "Chromebooks," which are specially designed to run the OS. The Chrome OS is not intended as a replacement OS for computers running Windows or Mac OS X. However, some technology media outlets have reported that advanced computer users and developers can install the open-source version of the Chrome OS, known as Chromium OS, on other computers. Users with advanced knowledge can boot their computer from a USB memory stick containing the Chromium OS.

Background

Google introduced the Chrome operating system in July 2009, promising that it would deliver a faster and more Web-centric experience for computer users than traditional operating systems from Microsoft or Apple. “Speed, simplicity and security are the key aspects of Google Chrome OS,” stated a post on The Official Google Blog announcing the Chrome OS. In the Chrome OS, all software and applications run from the Web, allowing computers that run Chrome to turn on and instantly connect to the Internet, avoiding the lengthy boot times of Windows- and Mac-based systems. In addition, Chrome OS-based computers don’t require extensive software downloads, security updates or driver updates. In a November 2009 article, PC World reported that the Chrome OS is not intended to be installed on just any computer.

Chromebook

In 2011, Google introduced the Chromebook, a notebook computer with the Chrome OS installed. Manufactured by Samsung and Acer, a Chromebook can boot up in about eight seconds, instantly connecting the user to Web-based applications. Chromebooks offer built-in Wi-Fi and 3G mobile data network connectivity. Unlike Windows or Mac computers, Chromebooks store very little data on the computer’s hard drive. Instead, the user’s applications and documents are stored on the Internet, also known as the “cloud.” This allows users to access their data wherever they have an Internet connection.

Considerations

In a May 2011 article, ExtremeTech reported that the notebooks offered by Samsung and Acer to run the Chrome OS were “nothing special” in terms of the hardware and software they provided. Chromebooks typically sell for more than $400 as of the time of publication, which is about $100 more than a notebook with similar technical specifications running Windows or Mac, according to ExtremeTech. However, Chromium OS, which is the open-source version of the Chrome OS, is available as a free download. Computer users interested in seeing how the Chrome OS works before buying a Chromebook, or who want to replace their version of Windows or Mac with the Chrome OS, can build a cheaper, unofficial Chromebook themselves, according to ExtremeTech.

USB Drive

To install the Chromium OS, a user needs a USB memory stick with at least 2GB of storage, according to a November 2009 PC World article. Users should then download the Chromium OS software from Hexxeh website, then write the software as an image to the USB stick, making the USB stick bootable. Once this is done, users can boot their computers from the Chromium OS on the USB stick.