Linux on Chromebooks
Discussions focus on installing and running full Linux distributions like Ubuntu or Debian on Chromebooks via Crouton, developer mode, custom firmware, or built-in Linux containers to support development and hacking.
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I used a Samsung ChromeBook 2 (ARM) for about 3 years. You can load a full GNU/Linux environment such as Debian or Ubuntu with Crouton, but you have to enable developer mode.This involves an annoying beep every time you turn your machine on (or otherwise hitting ctrl-d at the right time), and you run the risk of disabling developer mode--thereby reformatting your drive--if you accidentally hit Spacebar.Unless they're changing how dev mode works on the new PixelBooks, I do not rec
The problem is chromeos. With the right model chromebook, one can flash coreboot and use a normal linux distro instead.https://mrchromebox.tech/#devices
Why not install Linux on your Chromebook?
Chromebook with Chrubuntu might work
Most Chromebooks support Linux, though? You just turn on developer mode.
Google is working on making Chromebooks more developer-friendly. Some of them support running full desktop Linux apps now, but it's still in the experimental stages and I wouldn't recommend buying one for that specific feature until it's more mature.That said, I've been doing light webdev work on a Chromebook using Crouton (to run desktop Linux alongside ChromeOS, with seamless switching) and aside from difficulties with the MicroSD slot and apt-get on Ubuntu it
Chromebooks are quite literally linux...
Chromebooks can run linux. I learned development on a Chromebook running Ubuntu. It's great being able to switch between the lightweight ChromeOS for browsing, videos and cloud stuff and Ubuntu for actual development.
I have a Pixelbook that I picked up on ebay for cheap. I was planning on loading MrChromebox's custom firmware and installing a "real" Linux and all that, but honestly the thing does everything I need (a browser and a shell) so easily I didn't even bother. You can install an Ubuntu VM in a couple clicks, it supports Wireguard natively and it has a touchscreen. I don't even run it in developer mode any more. I'm really happy with the stock ChromeOS these days shr
The hardware of every chromebook I know is enough to run a terminal emulator and a browser. You can install a gnu/linux distribution on most x86 based chromebooks. Gnu/linux is arguably better suited for "serious" development, so I don't understand the premise in the question.