This $3 ChromeOS Flex stick will revive old and outdated computers

Ben Schoon | Mar 10 2026 - 8:40 am PT

ChromeOS is a very lightweight operating system and, on top of being a solid option for low-end computers, it’s also a great way to breathe new life into an older laptop or computer. A new partnership with Google will make that process even easier with an inexpensive $3 USB stick that can inject outdated machines with ChromeOS.

Announced earlier this month, Back Market is partnering with Google to start selling a $3 USB stick that will help make the process of installing ChromeOS Flex easier and, in turn, give laptops and computers stuck on outdated software a new lease on life.

Back Market explained in a press release:

The idea is simple: many devices still function well; they just need the right software to stay secure and relevant.

ChromeOS Flex itself has been around for a few years now and offers a slightly stripped-down version of standard ChromeOS that’s designed for a variety of different hardware configurations. One of the big missing features is Android app support, but the core experience remains in place. Google maintains a huge list of officially-compatible machines, but you can install ChromeOS Flex on basically any old Windows machine, as well as MacBooks that were released prior to the Apple Silicon revamp.

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Starting on March 30, Back Market will start selling these ChromeOS Flex keys. The company told Wired that they’ll cost just $3, but the “catch” is that this is a limited run at first. Apparently, only 3,000 keys will be available during the first run, but it could expand based on demand. Back Market says it is targeting “sellers, buyers, schools, and small businesses.”

In a world where Windows 10 machines are left completely functional but with software that’s no longer updated or secure, and also when the rising RAM and storage costs are making new laptops very expensive, these cheap ChromeOS sticks might be a good alternative for many.

We’ll update this article when details on how to purchase these USB sticks become available.