Instead of typing on the Chromebook I have today, could I have just transformed my old Dell laptop into Chrome-capable computer? No way. I thought, and I am sure I’m not alone in this, that when we have an old laptop, we either repair it (a great option), replace it, or just let it rot in our closet. Ironic but true, that poor old laptop of mine probably had more horsepower inside of it than most of the brand new Chromebooks I could’ve chosen from. When it comes down to it, a cloud-based device isn’t going to need what a heavier operating system needs, which is what makes CloudReady some of the coolest news in a while.

New York City startup Neverware, says CloudReady is ready and willing to take a laptop, like my old Dell, out of retirement and into my lap again. Using a modified, open-source version of Chrome, called Chromium OS, CloudReady works with either Windows or Apple computers by making them faster and more usable- all by simplifying them. The OS will look a lot like Chrome, “replicating many of the same features you find on newfangled Chromebooks”, says Expert Reviews. If you’re curious about the minor differences between Neverware’s CloudReady and actual Chromebooks, the company has made available a document of variances in technical functionality.

As long as you’re okay with the cloud-operated lifestyle, CloudReady also carries the advantage of saving a few bucks (or a bunch of bucks), especially for the low-budget students out there that could really opt for recycling over repurchasing. Giving an older item a new lease on life a great option, and in this case, free for personal use, or only $59 per computer used in an educational setting. Installation takes 42 minutes, pending you have “a USB flash drive, 8GB to 16GB in size, a PC with Chrome installed that you can use to create a bootable recovery image, and an old system you’re looking to upgrade”. If your laptop was built within the last 5 years or so, it should contain common Intel components. Not every hardware type is supported by CloudReady, so you may want to peek at their list of compatible hardware.

Expert Reviews not only has links to these resources, but took the time to break down a how-to installation of CloudReady for you. Another good bit of news, thanks to The Verge, is that CloudReady no longer asks you to completely ditch your old OS, and ultimately everything else on your computer’s hard drive. Neverware decided to launch a new feature, allowing you to dual boot your machine, and choose between Chrome or your old OS any time your PC is on. Sure, you may not want to go from Chrome to Windows, Windows to Chrome. However, doesn’t the ability to access all your old favorite downloads and music files from years back sound appealing? Best of both worlds. Thanks Neverware.