HOWTO… Turn an old laptop into a Chromebook

What you need: An old laptop (minimum 2GB memory); USB stick (8GB or 16GB) Time required: One hour

Abrand new Windows laptop can feel like driving a new car, but hardware and software move on relentlessly. Within a few years even a high-end model can feel sluggish. It’s tempting to take this as a cue to buy a new machine, but it’s a shame to write off laptops that still work. One way you can give an ageing laptop a new lease of life is by turning it into a Chromebook.

You may see Chromebooks as Google’s alternative to the Windows PC. In truth, they’re nowhere near as powerful. The main difference is that they run Chrome OS, which is more simplified than Windows (see screenshot above right for a typical desktop). You also have less control over the operating system, and you work in a web browser, rather than in software installed on your laptop.

However, this simplicity is why many like Chromebooks. It means they boot faster and use fewer resources, making them speedy to work on. Another reason why they’re so