The good news is that if you already have a computer, Google is making it easier for you to run Chrome OS and you don’t even need to format your computer to do so. This is because Google has since announced Chrome OS Flex. This is a slightly modified version of Chrome OS that users can download for free, put onto a USB drive, and have your computer boot from it.
This means that you will be able to try out Chrome OS on an existing computer and it works on both Windows and Mac computers. For the most part, the majority of features are the same as Chrome OS which means you’ll be able to enjoy features like Google Assistant, Nearby Sharing, and more. There are some differences that Google has highlighted on its support page, but you should have more or less a similar-ish experience.
There are some requirements when it comes to hardware and your brand of computer, but you can check out the list of compatible devices on Google’s website. Right now Chrome OS Flex is available as an early access which means that it’s still kind of in beta, but if you’re curious enough, it might be a good way to give an old laptop a new lease on life.