xijian/Getty ImagesWhen I first explored ChromeOS Flex, it felt like a minor miracle. Here was a platform that breathed new life into aging x86 hardware, transforming dusty laptops into lightweight, secure, and efficient devices. At the time, I saw it as a solution with great potential -- not just for reducing e-waste but for extending the usability of older systems in an increasingly fast-paced tech world.But even then, I recognized its flaws. As innovative as ChromeOS Flex was, the lack of nat...