Old Chromebook Repurpose: Keep Your Device Alive After a Googlebook Upgrade

When Google announced the Googlebook, many users wondered whether their aging Chromebooks were still worth keeping. The answer is a resounding yes, provided you know how to turn the device into a second monitor, a media server, or a smart-home hub. The steps below are drawn from the official release notes and community guides that surfaced in late 2023.

Turning a Chromebook into a Second Monitor

Chromebooks can act as a secondary display for a desktop or laptop using the Duet Display app. The app installs on the Chromebook from the Chrome Web Store and requires a one-time purchase of $9.99 for the Pro version. Once installed, the Chromebook connects via USB-C to the host computer and mirrors or extends the screen. The host computer must run Windows 10 or macOS 10.15+. The performance is limited by the Chromebook’s 4-core Intel Celeron or MediaTek Helio processor, but for basic productivity tasks the latency stays below 30 ms.

Practical Use Cases

  • Remote Work: A second screen for spreadsheets or email while the main monitor runs a video conference.
  • Gaming: Use the Chromebook as a dedicated HUD for a PC game, though the 1080p resolution and 60 Hz refresh rate may not match a high-end monitor.
  • Presentation: Project a slideshow from the Chromebook while the host computer runs the presentation software.

The cost of the Duet app is the only recurring expense; otherwise, the Chromebook remains free to use.

Installing Linux for Media and Retro Gaming

The Chrome OS developer mode allows installation of a Linux (Beta) container. The process, documented in the 2023 release notes, involves enabling Developer Mode, running a command in the terminal, and selecting a distribution such as Ubuntu 22.04. The container shares the Chromebook’s storage, so a 64-GB model can hold up to 50 GB of media files.

Once Linux is running, users can install Plex or Jellyfin to stream media to other devices. Benchmarks from the community show that a 2019 Chromebook with a MediaTek Helio processor can stream 1080p video at 30 fps without stutter, but 4K playback requires a more powerful CPU.

Retro-gaming enthusiasts can install Batocera, a lightweight Linux distro that emulates classic consoles. The 2018 Chromebook model can run NES and SNES emulators smoothly, but performance drops for PlayStation 2 or Xbox 360 titles.

Caveats

  • Linux installation removes the automatic Chrome OS updates, so users must manually patch security vulnerabilities.
  • The battery life drops by 20–30 % when running Linux continuously.
  • Some Chromebooks disable the camera and microphone after enabling Developer Mode, limiting use as a video conferencing device.

Using a Chromebook as a Smart-Home Hub

Home Assistant, an open-source home-automation platform, runs in a web browser on Chrome OS. Users can open the Home Assistant web UI on the Chromebook and control lights, thermostats, and sensors. For a more integrated experience, Home Assistant can be installed natively on Linux via the same container used for media servers.

The native installation offers lower latency and the ability to run custom Python scripts, but it requires a separate login and consumes additional storage. The web-based approach keeps the Chromebook lightweight and preserves the Chrome OS update cycle.

Real-World Impact

  • Cost Savings: A single Chromebook can replace a tablet and a dedicated smart-home panel, cutting the device count by 50 %.
  • Energy Efficiency: The Chromebook’s low power draw (15 W idle, 30 W active) keeps the home energy bill down compared to a full-size smart-home hub.
  • Security: Running Home Assistant on Linux exposes the device to the same attack surface as any other Linux server; users must keep the container patched.

What Happens When the Chromebook Reaches End-of-Life?

Google’s end-of-support policy for Chromebooks is 5 years from the device’s release date. After that, the device stops receiving security updates. Users who keep the Chromebook for repurposing should monitor the Chrome OS update channel and consider moving to a newer model if the device’s CPU or RAM no longer meets the demands of the chosen use case.

Bottom Line

An old Chromebook can still serve a useful purpose after a Googlebook upgrade. Whether you need a second monitor, a media server, or a smart-home controller, the device’s modest hardware can handle the workload if you accept the performance limits and manage the security implications. The next step for users is to decide which role fits their workflow and to follow the official installation guides to avoid data loss or bricking the device.

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