Cloudready - First Glance

Over the last four weeks of 20% time, I've been dabbling with Cloudready, a product made by Neverware. Cloudready is a Debian Linux based operating system that installs on older desktops and laptops to create a Chromebook-like experience. I deployed it on some older Dells in several schools in the district, and for a number of reasons, the results have been outstanding.

First, Cloudready lets a machine running unsupported windows xp but with otherwise good hardware enjoy an extended service life. Second, even machines running windows 7 can benefit. Our students no longer have access to active directory (Microsoft) accounts, so even if the windows 7 machines were accessible, students are locked out and unable to use the machines. Third, the machines are much zippier than when running windows. Given the age of the hardware on which test are being run, boot times and login times are all excellent. In the video below, a machine nearing seven years in age is usable from a cold boot in about 60 seconds. That is a major leap in performance over its windows tied to active directory iteration.

Cloudready is not perfect. Updates do not seem to be as quick to arrive as updates for ChromeOS or the Chrome browser. And, flash must be updated manually by clicking an update button in Cloudready settings. Consequently, it is fair to say that Cloudready does not provide the same incredible level of security as a genuine Chromebook or Chromebox. Still, if you are working on education related issues and not F-35 fighters, Cloudready probably offers a level of security that can work well enough for your needs. Bookmarks, extensions, docs, sheets, and drive all seamlessly follow. It certainly offers a level of performance that will please most. If you are invested in the Chrome and Google Drive experience, you will like Cloudready a lot.

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