When I first tested the Remix Mini at the end of last year, I was blown away. Sure, the hardware is interesting and portable , but it’s the fork of Android adapted to make the Remix Mini into something resembling a desktop system that really took me by surprise.

It’s what Chrome OS should be, in some ways: productivity-focused and instantly familiar, with full support for Android apps from the Google Play store.

Now, Jide , the company behind Remix OS has announced that it’ll be releasing an x86 version of Remix OS as a free global download.

The company says that it will be a major help for users in emerging markets, freeing them from the need to own their own devices, as it can be stored on something as small as a USB stick and then just plugged in to any old hardware.

Minimum requirements for the OS are a USB 3.0 flash drive that supports FAT32 format with a minimum capacity of 8GB (and a recommended writing speed of 20MB/s) and a PC that supports booting from a USB.

“In emerging markets where computer hardware is inaccessible for many, Remix OS aims to make personal computing more accessible than ever before. Individuals will no longer need to rely on personal desktops or laptops to create, store, and manage data, they will merely need to be within walking distance of a device–in their village, in libraries, in internet cafes, or in community centers.”

It also means that anyone with any Intel or AMD-based x86 hardware gathering dust in a cupboard can put it to use again, should you so wish.

Right now, Remix OS 2.0 is based on Android Lollipop, but it will be getting an upgrade to Marshmallow in the near future – and either way, it’s free, so you’ve not got much to lose in testing it out.

The alpha build will be available to download from January 12 onwards directly from Jide or project partner Android-x86 .

➤ Remix OS for PC [Jide]

HP takes on the MacBook Air with its ultra-thin Spectre

HP has launched its all-new Spectre notebook which features an aluminium chassis that’s only 10.4mm thick – that’s as much as a AAA battery and only a few hairs more than your smartphone.

The 13.3-inch Windows 10 device comes with your choice of Intel Core i5 or i7 processors, along with a full HD display and Bang & Olufsen speakers.

It features a hybrid battery that split into thin pieces and capable of powering the Spectre for nine and a half hours, Gorilla Glass to protect the display as well as three USB-C ports – two of which support Thunderbolt for connecting to high-end monitors.

You’ll either love or absolutely hate the glossy copper accents and the piston-powered hinges, but the Spectre’s ultra-slim profile makes it hard to ignore. It’s also fairly light at just 2.45 lbs.

HP believes the Spectre will help it shake up the ultra-thin notebook segment. Speaking to The Wall Street Journal ahead of unveiling the notebook, HP’s PC chief Ron Coughlin said, “For years, Apple has been seen as the innovator and the driver of innovation,” but now “HP is really taking over that mantle.”

Prices start at $1,170, depending on your preferred configuration. You can get up to 8GB RAM as well as up to 512GB of SSD storage. It’ll be available to pre-order online at HPom and BBYom on April 25. Best Buy will have it in stores on May 22 with a starting price at $1,250.

Acer unveils new USB-C-compatible monitor and 24-inch Chrome all-in-one

Acer has unveiled its new H7 monitors today, which happen to be the among the first to support USB Type-C .

As we are slowly nearing the day when we only need one cable to transfer data and connect or charge our devices, this makes the displays very appealing off the bat. Of course, the new H7 monitors also support HDMI, as well as having a DisplayPort and USB Type-A port.

Due to be available to buy in February, there are two variants – a 25-inch and a 27-inch version and prices will start at $500, according to Acer.

The company also revealed its new Chromebase – a 24-inch 1080p IPS unit that offers touchscreen support. Up until now, the largest screen size for a Chrome all-in-one was 21.5-inch. It’s also running on an Intel Core processor, which is a step up from the less powerful Intel Celeron chips used in previous models.

Acer says it will come with space for up to 8GB of RAM, which may suggest there will be more than one model available, and it supports 802.11ac WiFi and gigabit ethernet connectivity.

The Chromebase also features a HD webcam and four noise-cancelling microphones, which is handy for users who do a lot of video calling. Prices and availability have not yet been confirmed by Acer.

➤ Acer Excites with Game-Changing Monitors: R1 Series, H7 Series and XR Series [Acer]