With all the updates and additional service packs for Windows XP, it's a wonder any machine can run this operating system any more. Especially now that so many programs require the .Net framework to run. With .Net installed, machines run even more slowly--even computers that seemed to have pretty decent system specs. Unfortunately, Windows XP is just a terrible, bloated piece of garbage, and older machines should really be running an operating system that is slimmed down and more streamlined. Linux is fine, but for users who aren't comfortable with Unix and command-line interfaces, it's not really a viable alternative. Thankfully, Google Chromium OS is there to fill the gap.

Google Chromium OS allows users to upgrade their operating system to a sleeker, better-designed alternative without slowing their computer to a crawl. This is because the Chromium OS operating system effectively turns your PC or notebook into a dummy terminal, with all the heavy lifting taking place on servers while your computer mainly acts as a display. Obviously, then, users of Chromium will need to have internet access in order to fully use all of its features.

Chromium OS loads up with some serious speed. In mere seconds, a computer running this operating system can go from a powered-off state to being up and running. It's amazing to see older computers suddenly jump to lightning fast performance after having Google Chromium OS installed, and it's an IT support professional's dream-come-true, since there's so little local machine system resource requirements to use it. The best thing of all about Chromium OS is that it's free. All that is required is that the user download and compile the source code--a trivial matter for any tech-savvy friend or coworker.