How to use Chrome OS on a Raspberry Pi

Want to use Chrome OS but don't want to spend money on a new computer? Wondering if a cloud operating system can improve the performance of the Raspberry Pi and turn it into a productivity tool? Don't worry anymore, you can now install Chrome OS on this $ 50 computer and find out how well the operating system is running.

Why install Chrome OS on a Raspberry Pi?

Many different operating systems are available for Raspberry Pi. While the default option is preferred by many, there are many Raspbian alternatives available only for Linux.

But Chrome OS offers something different: Cloud computing. The relatively low specifications of the Raspberry Pi make it ideal for Chrome OS. The operating system is designed to run most software as web applications, relying on servers to process.

If the Raspberry Pi is set up with wireless Internet or Ethernet connection, you will benefit from this dynamic feature. This may allow you to set up your Raspberry Pi as a cheap yet efficient desktop!

Another reason to install Chrome OS on a Raspberry Pi is that it is very easy to use. Google has spent years perfecting and polishing its name for this operating system. These changes have been felt in the official release as well as the open source Chromium OS.

Open source Chrome OS

Although Google manages and releases Chrome OS, it is actually based on an open source project. Chrome OS has been released on many different devices and thanks to the FydeOS project, this operating system can be installed on Pi.

Note that some other versions of Chromium OS have been released on the Raspberry Pi. But these versions are now discontinued; FydeOS is more likely to be "abandoned" in the future. As such, you can download and build from the original source code available at www.chromium.org.

For this tutorial, the article will use the preconfigured code available in FydeOS.

Things to prepare to install Chrome OS on Raspberry Pi

To install and run Chrome OS on a Raspberry Pi computer, you will need:

1. A Raspberry Pi 3 or 3B + (there is no working image for Pi Zero, or for Raspberry Pi 4)
2. Minimum of microSD cards with 8GB capacity
3. 7-Zip
4. Etcher
5. Image FydeOS Chromium from GitHub
6. Desktop

With your mouse, keyboard, HDMI cable and backup screen, you're ready to get started with Chrome OS.

Prepare an SD card for Chrome OS

The downloaded IMG file is compressed in XZ format, so you will need to extract this file with an appropriate tool. 7-Zip is the best option on Windows; XZ can be manually extracted on Linux systems.

Next, the IMG file needs to be written to the SD card. The simplest option here is the great Etcher tool, which will also format your SD card. Download, install and run Etcher, then click Select image to browse for the Chromium IMG file.

Accordingly, confirm that the memory card is detected by Etcher. If not, reinsert the card in the PC's SD card reader and wait until it appears.

Finally, click on Flash to write data. A few minutes later, Chrome OS will be installed on the microSD memory card, ready to boot.

Boot Chrome OS on Raspberry Pi

After safely removing the microSD card from the PC, Chrome OS will be ready to boot in Raspberry Pi.

The first boot may take a while to complete. You will then be prompted to complete the setup steps. If you're already using a Chromebook or Android device, you'll recognize this. It is basically about entering (or creating) Google account details.

After logging in, you should see a basic desktop, ready to configure. You will find the launcher (launcher) in the lower left corner and notifications in the lower right corner. You will see everything familiar.

You will notice that the Chrome OS on the Raspberry Pi is not exactly the same as the version seen on Chromebooks. For example, the Launcher icon on the Shelf is a circle, instead of a 3 × 3 grid. However, it is only a matter of form and there is no difference in the function of the operating system.

If you're wondering what the first step should be, right-click on the desktop and select Set wallpaper .

With a beautiful set of backgrounds, you're ready for everything!

Will Chrome OS software run on a Raspberry Pi?

Different applications will come pre-installed with the Raspberry Pi version of Chrome OS, just like with the main version. For example, when logging in with a regular Google account, you will have Photos, Google Keep and more.

Chrome OS is based on Linux and supports mostly web applications. Web applications rely on web browsers to run.

Almost all Chrome OS applications will run on the Raspberry Pi. If you're looking for suggestions beyond the usual Chrome OS options, try the list of essential apps for the new Chromebook.

Feel like you own a $ 50 Chromebook?

Chromebooks are affordable computers, typically in the price range of $ 150 to $ 1500. Installing Chromium OS on a Raspberry Pi with FydeOS gives you the opportunity to build your own Chromebook.

You only need to spend $ 50 (VND 1,150,000) for a new Raspberry Pi. While not as fast as leading Chromebooks, the Chromium OS on the Raspberry Pi is definitely on par with low-cost Chromebook devices.

After installing all your favorite productivity apps for Chrome OS, you'll be ready to go. Refer to some cheat sheet Chrome OS that TipsMake.com has suggested.

Chromebook and Chrome OS lines have been the biggest challenge facing Microsoft and Apple over the past decade. Can they really replace standard desktop and laptop computers?

It is still difficult to conclude. But you can definitely find out if Chrome OS is something you are interested in, by following the steps above to install Chromium OS on Raspberry Pi with FydeOS.

You don't want to use Raspbian but prefer Raspberry Pi? Check out the list of other operating systems for Raspberry Pi that TipsMake.com has suggested.

Hope you are succesful.