

The one key feature missing is support for Android apps. You can read more about the basic differences between the two if you’re curious, but all you need to know is that Neverware has made the experience of using CloudReady nearly identical to Chrome OS. How to convert a laptop into a Chromebookįor this project, we’ll be using Neverware’s CloudReady operating system, which is based on Chromium OS-the same open-source code that Google built Chrome OS on. The process takes less than an hour, and the end result often feels snappier than today’s dirt-cheap Chromebooks.

You just have to install the equivalent of Chrome OS on it.

In fact, you can create your own Chromebook for free if you have an older laptop lying around. More importantly, Chromebooks run a lightweight operating system that feels fast and responsive on older and budget hardware, making them far more affordable. A Chromebook’s simplified interface does away with driver management, endless system updates, and even malware avoidance. Complexity often makes life harder for users easily confused by computers-and the people who provide them IT support. Sometimes, a Chromebook beats a Windows laptop.
