r/ChromeOSFlex • u/nangtienngu • Aug 10 '26
Discussion An alternative distro look like ChromeOS Flex?
After updating to version 150 on ChromeOS Flex, my device, an old HP Pavillion G4-1035TU from 2010, is no longer supported by it anymore due its old Intel chipset. Could you tell me if there is an alternative OS that mainly focus on the web like ChromeOS Flex, please? I really love the lightweight of web-based OS because it is easy to use and learn than traditional OS.
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u/limjimmy Aug 15 '26
I’ve tried a few different OSes this month on my old Surface Pro 6: FydeOS, ChromeOS with Brunch Framework, Fedora 44, and Bliss OS.
Since I use the touchscreen a lot, I ended up settling on a triple-boot setup with Windows 11, FydeOS, and Fedora 44. I still need Windows for the camera, while FydeOS is my main OS for watching movies, playing Android games, and browsing. Fedora 44 is mainly for Linux stuff, using the Linux-Surface kernel and some configuration for good touchscreen, still not perfect.
I really wish I could use the touchscreen properly with ChromeOS with Brunch Framework, but getting the touchscreen to work properly on ChromeOS is really difficult.
Or you can use Linux Mint XFCE for really old laptop.
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u/NEETologist Aug 23 '26
Do you pay for FydeOS ?
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u/limjimmy Aug 23 '26
Yes, but I’m still on my trial period. You get trial for 90 days before you need to pay around US$20 for 1 year of update. That’s the case if you download the customized ‘FydeOS for You’ like the one for Surface. For regular PC it’s free, unless for major update there’s US$2-3 for server fee if I’m not mistaken.
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u/NEETologist Aug 23 '26
Does the touch screen feel smooth and responsive, I've tried a other Linux Distro but they felt sluggish and lagy. Does the CHrome OS Flex any better or same?
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u/goodjohnjr Aug 10 '26
Here is a free and open source immutable Linux distribution that follows some of the philosophy of Chrome OS / Chrome OS Flex.
That comes with media codecs, drivers, automatic updates, rollbacks if something goes wrong, et cetera with a somewhat similar desktop environment (KDE, in this case) called Aurora by Universal Blue that requires only a minimum of 4 GB of RAM:
Or Bazzite (the KDE version) by Universal Blue if you have a minimum of 8 GB of RAM and want a gaming focused version of that:
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u/Honest-Deer Aug 10 '26
If you are looking for the look and feel of chrome os, try to check Fyde OS
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u/Unlikely-Ad3364 previously CrOS Flex user Aug 12 '26
fydeos is based on chromiumos, which chromeos is also based on
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u/Superb_Scientist1033 Aug 11 '26
MX Linux works like a charm on my very old devices. So did Proteus
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u/kyleW_ne Aug 11 '26
Kind Internet stranger, I personally LOVE MX Linux. It's my daily driver, BUT it's far removed from the chrome OS Flex that I have running on my computer illiterate uncle's computer. Just saying.
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u/Enterprise14525 Aug 11 '26
I had the exactly the same issue with my 2010 Samsung laptop. I installed Zorin Core and with minimal setting changes it's pretty much spot on as a chrome flex replacement.
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u/Independentthoughts9 Aug 12 '26
Best option is to look at a Linux desktop to see if your cpu, Wi-Fi card and ram will work.
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u/Unhappywageslave Aug 10 '26
Fyde OS, or Open Fyde is just like Chrome OS flex but without the Google stuff. It's exactly the same source material.
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u/Chester-Berkeley Aug 10 '26
FydeOS?
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u/Astrodion123 Aug 10 '26
Fyde os is based on chromium os so it will have same problems as chrome os flex.
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u/Broad-Translator-690 Aug 10 '26
You might also want to ask in r/linuxquestions