Chrome OS on a Desktop
Discussion
I'm moving my office to another part of the house, it'll leave me with a desk space that needs to be filled. I have a spare monitor, keyboard and mouse and it would be handy to be able to use the internet (mainly, but also Android apps) still from the old desk, so I was mulling over how to set something up easily and cheaply.
Then I remembered I have an old HTPC so I booted it up with a Cloud Ready USB key to get Chrome OS on it, which seems to do the job, but my monitor is 4k and the HTPC is 1080p, so rather than spending money on a graphics card for the HTPC, does anyone know what I can buy that'll run Cloud Ready or some other variant of Chrome OS that is a simple setup, and will support 4k? Ideally small form factor so I can bolt it to the back of the monitor out of the way.
I looked at NUCs, but don't know what I'd need to spend to get one good enough. I wondered about Raspberry Pi, but PC architecture seems less faffy as I can just stick with Cloud Ready, but I don't really know what's out there to look at.
Thanks
Then I remembered I have an old HTPC so I booted it up with a Cloud Ready USB key to get Chrome OS on it, which seems to do the job, but my monitor is 4k and the HTPC is 1080p, so rather than spending money on a graphics card for the HTPC, does anyone know what I can buy that'll run Cloud Ready or some other variant of Chrome OS that is a simple setup, and will support 4k? Ideally small form factor so I can bolt it to the back of the monitor out of the way.
I looked at NUCs, but don't know what I'd need to spend to get one good enough. I wondered about Raspberry Pi, but PC architecture seems less faffy as I can just stick with Cloud Ready, but I don't really know what's out there to look at.
Thanks
Reduced Pixelbook (with USB-C dock) ? Then you have a mobile device too when you need it.
https://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/google-pixelbook-...
https://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/google-pixelbook-...
colin79666 said:
Maybe I do, I didn't know they existed. But that one is £200, and the linked laptop one is £400, which is a it strong for a third computer. Cheapest used one on eBay is £45 but it's 9 years old, can I get the latest ChromeOS on it and will it would that work well enough?
I discovered that CloudReady install I've done doesn't support Android Apps either, which is a bit of a disappointment. It'll do a job, but I feel like there should be a £50 something or other that'll run it. Might look at Samsung Dex as I think I have a Galaxy that supports it with a smashed screen somewhere.
Chromebox is exactly the same as Chromebook just in desktop form factor and they are less popular as laptops seem to be in fashion. Google tend to only offer around 4 years support with ChromeOS so I’d only bother with new or nearly new devices unless going the roll your own cloud ready approach. There are a few new Chromebooks with longer support aimed at the education market but still £200+.
If you are willing to take a risk there is always this clone of the Asus:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32966393971.html?a...
If you are willing to take a risk there is always this clone of the Asus:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32966393971.html?a...
Thanks, soundss like there's a few of options but no clear winner. I don't have time for faff at the moment and I'm not moving the desk for a while so I'll play with the simplest options first.
It's a shame that Cloud Ready won't add in Android Apps to their version of ChromeOS as it looks like everything else is time limited in terms of keeping up with new versions of Android and it runs on some terrible (ie cheap) hardware no fuss.
It feels like such an important part of making it work as a desktop OS - the main benefit should be that you can set it up as a big version of your phone, except you can't without losing a significant benefit of Windows - it's essentially supported until your PC runs out of puff.
I found an S8+ with a smashed screen in a desk drawer, so I think I'll start with that running Dex and see how that is and save the spendy until another time.
It's a shame that Cloud Ready won't add in Android Apps to their version of ChromeOS as it looks like everything else is time limited in terms of keeping up with new versions of Android and it runs on some terrible (ie cheap) hardware no fuss.
It feels like such an important part of making it work as a desktop OS - the main benefit should be that you can set it up as a big version of your phone, except you can't without losing a significant benefit of Windows - it's essentially supported until your PC runs out of puff.
I found an S8+ with a smashed screen in a desk drawer, so I think I'll start with that running Dex and see how that is and save the spendy until another time.
Raspberry Pi4? https://www.raspberrypi.org/products/raspberry-pi-...
Pi OS is really good now, or there are loads of other OS options.
Pi OS is really good now, or there are loads of other OS options.
Edited by megaphone on Saturday 7th November 10:53
I'll have a look at Pi OS. My preference is really either to duplicate my phone or my PC, I don't mind putting another W10 machine in but I'd really like the simplicity of Chrome browser + the Android Apps I use on my phone.
It's difficult for anything to compete with that as I can get W10 up and running for under £100 on second hand older kit and if I can't run Android Apps I might as well stick with CloudReady.
I'll see what DEX is like, the answer might end up being to bring my spare W10 machine in out of my workshop and just dock my phone with DEX when I'm out there. Need to play with DEX and see how close it is to what I want.
It's difficult for anything to compete with that as I can get W10 up and running for under £100 on second hand older kit and if I can't run Android Apps I might as well stick with CloudReady.
I'll see what DEX is like, the answer might end up being to bring my spare W10 machine in out of my workshop and just dock my phone with DEX when I'm out there. Need to play with DEX and see how close it is to what I want.
If you want Chrome OS to push a 4k display you'll need a reasonable CPU, so you'll have to spend a little.
I suggest you look at the Brunch Framework with a view to setting it up on some of the older existing gear you have. It's Chrome OS with both Linux and Android, just like factory Chrome OS installations. 4k is still unlikely, but it might push a desktop app environment at a resolution higher than FHD, but you're not going to get 4k streaming or the like - it all depends on what guts your older hardware has.
The other options are Dex as you've mentioned, or a Pi. You can get desktop Android distros specifically developed for the Pi, but I've not used any of them so can't offer a personal opinion.
I suggest you look at the Brunch Framework with a view to setting it up on some of the older existing gear you have. It's Chrome OS with both Linux and Android, just like factory Chrome OS installations. 4k is still unlikely, but it might push a desktop app environment at a resolution higher than FHD, but you're not going to get 4k streaming or the like - it all depends on what guts your older hardware has.
The other options are Dex as you've mentioned, or a Pi. You can get desktop Android distros specifically developed for the Pi, but I've not used any of them so can't offer a personal opinion.
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