Chrome OS Is A Google Disaster! A True Linux Distro Is The Solution
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- Опубликовано: 13 окт 2024
- In this video, we take a look at Chrome OS on an HP x360 Chromebook with an Intel i3 to see how this OS has progressed. We look at the Linux implementation and how it's simplified over the years to expanding the capabilities of a Chromebook. Finally, we ask: where does this device fits into the PC marketplace?
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I recommend this to basically everyone who isn't in IT. 99% of people only use a web browser and that's it.
I'm not surprised they sell well, they're cheap. But I am surprised that no one else has made a similar inexpensive Linux based system, when there's clearly a market for it. The Pine64 laptop is the only such system that I've seen, that offers a Linux based laptop for under $200. But it's a small company, not easy to find/buy, and they have to be imported from Hong Kong. If a large company were behind the pinebook, they'd sell like crazy and just about everyone would have one.
Only in the US have we historically had to pay for the baked in Windows OS. I used to work a Best Buy, and found out you could get computers in the UK for much less with either no Operating System or with Ubuntu Linux for more than 100 dollars less. This pinebook sounds great! I'll check it out!
@@Andy-AJC72 The reason that most schools use Chromebooks, is because they can have restrictions for sites, apps, itd.
Nobody can make profit selling laptop in this range. Google undercuts (sells Chrome at a loss) the price because they are building a market for Google services. Its like HP which doesn't make money in selling printers, but they sell cartridges at exorbitant prices. Sell the gun for free and charge for propriety bullets
@winux Most people don't even know how to install an OS, and of those that do, most don't want to bother with it or are too lazy to install another OS. But a very small number of people probably would do it, yes, despite the foolishness of it, and they'd also end up paying $100+ more just for a Windows license as well, suffer performance losses, and lose flexibility, and lose convenient access to 10s of thousands of software packages. How many people do you see switching their Steam Deck's over to Windows? Not many, other than just showing it can be done. Case and point.
@winux Unstable? How so and In what way? I don't even have a running Windows system at the moment, and use Linux exclusively, for gaming and everything else. So, I'm very curious to hear your explanation of how you believe it's unstable.
I'm also curious when the last time you even used Proton? Assuming you have, of course. Because, it's become a very rare thing for me to even be able to find a game in my Library that doesn't run with Proton. 95% of all games run on Proton, and it's quite stable. In many cases, it runs better than on Windows. Is it perfect? No, but it's getting there, rapidly, I might add.
If your from Brazil, you might consider giving RegataOS a try. It's specifically tailored for Brazil. You may just find that gaming on Linux have greatly improved from whenever you last tried it, as things on Linux tend to do in time. Nothing is static, and if there is one observation I've made in the last 20 or so years I've been using Linux, it's that if there's something that doesn't run or doesn't run well, it's only a matter of time before it does.
Hmm...have to disagree. Chromebooks are generally light on resource use, super fast booting and shutdown, proper hibernation, battery life which leaves linux and windows laptops for dead, stability, monthly tested (optional) updates, and a productivity suite which isn't far short of MS, and of course if you have a 365 account then the mobile and online versions of Office are pretty functional. Sensible inbuilt utilities such as screen recorder at the click of a button and recent improvements to the file manager. They also handle android based classic game emulation really well.
In short they do what 90% of computer users want at a fair price, without the bloat and resource requirements of Windows and the unreliable mess of Linux today.
All systems have their place. Having run Linux on the desktop for about 5 years I conclude it should stay in server land (I use it now as a music server), Windows suits the corporate workplace where access to heavy standardised apps is required, and Chrome OS works as the lightweight home user OS for general use without hassle.
I agree, I personally are on the other end and think this review misses the whole point. I use linux daily, I use chrome os, I use Mac os. But I think the os in the middle is chrome os it ticks so many boxes and with web applications and cloud computer I could do everything on a chrome book.
@David Kim That's deep ...🤔
It's funny how you somehow manage to distil ChromeOS's popularity down to the education, enterprise and people's ignorance. I used Linux as my daily driver for almost a decade and I am a web developer but yet I own a Pixelbook Go. Why? I wanted something that can facilitate a solid media consumption experience, is portable, elegant, fanless and has solid battery life but can do more if I am in a pinch. What Linux vendor can provide that experience for me, *especially* in the battery life department? People don't live in platforms as much as they live in apps and the most important app in the world today is the web browser. A lot of people just need a device that gives them access to the web and Chrome OS does that extremely well.
This entire video is a living, breathing stereotype of the typical Linux enthusiast - you can't see past the walls of your echo chamber and you need to drag down an alternative to elevate the thing you have chosen. That's not surprising though. The Linux community is notorious for doing that within their own community (KDE vs GNOME, Ubuntu vs Arch, Systemd vs systemvinits, QT vs GTK, etc.)
Slapping Linux onto a machine isn't the answer to everyone's computer woes. For some people, perhaps more than you would be willing to acknowledge, something besides Linux might be the better option. Linux has a long way to go before it becomes mainstream on the desktop. ChromeOS isn't the disaster you think it is, especially when compared to the Linux ecosystem where there are forks of forks that were forked and which is so chaotic its own community can't rally around any one technology and is busy fighting with itself. I can't even plug in headphones without having to do finger gymnastics in the terminal to switch outputs and you're out here talking about another platform being a disaster?
You realize that ChromeOS is based on Linux right? So the accusations you throw around about the community and it not being ready for mainstream is inherently flawed. The point of this video was that instead of neutering Linux and then trying to add portions of it back in sloppy as they did, they should just put an actual distro on it. It’s fine you disagree and I’m happy you enjoy your Chromebook.
@@dasgeek ChromeOS isn't considered a traditional Linux OS or part of the Linux family. I just find it interesting that the least Linux-like Linux OS is actually the most popular and also the one that's growing in any meaningful way in terms of market share. ChromeOS is second to none for what it does, which is providing a fast, efficient, secure and reliable gateway to the web. And with the advent of Microsoft 365, GeForce Now and the shift to cloud computing services in general, Chrome OS will become an even more viable and attractive option over the competition, including something like the Apple silicon laptops. Google would be crazy to give all that up to ship a "true" Linux laptop.
@link4566 I would love to see these stats to show how the operating system that literally runs the internet, powers 90% of every cloud service including Microsoft Azure, Amazon Cloud, Google Cloud, generates hundreds of billions in revenue, is now the main OS of Steam Deck, is the base for Chrome OS, powers 100% of every supercomputer in the world, the base for Android, powers space exploration including the Mars Rover is dying... I can't wait to see these figures.
@link4566 I honestly have no idea what you're talking about. AMD has hired more open-source driver programmers recently. Nvidia is increasing their support just added DLSS support and working on Wayland. Intel is and continues to be one of the biggest contributors to the kernel. As mentioned Steam Deck from Valve will run entirely on Linux with support for all of their hardware. I would definitely agree Linux is not dominant on the traditional desktop but there is absolutely zero evidence Linux is dying...it's bigger than ever before. Desktop is a hurdle but one of the biggest reasons it lagged was gaming and that is changing rapidly with Proton.
@link4566 Would love to see it. If Proton wasn't a game changer, Valve wouldn't be pushing it. If you're sending me the Lunduke video, spare me please.
That's the thing: most people don't need to do any "real computing". They are ignorant about computers, they don't want to learn, they have other interests in life. All they want is a simple system to do their jobs easily. That's why Chromebooks are popular and Linux is not. If Chromebooks used Linux, they probably wouldn't be so popular. I've seen a number of examples of schools and universities using Linux and students just hate it with a passion! On the other hand, they love Chrome OS, it's like a big version of their smartphones.
@David Kim In theory, yes. In practice, ChromeOS is not even considered a Linux distro in the community.
I have been using a chromebook for years and it does 99 percent of what I need to do. Only my ham radio stuff needs windows. NO security to worry about, updates happen flawlessly, it's light weight and can go all day on a charge, including watching videos.
Yeah this guy really misses the point. 90% of computer users don’t even know what operating system they are using. For non technical users these devices provide a super easy way of getting up and running. Of course Google wouldn’t put a proper operating system on it as they want to make sure it is only used for what Google want you to use it for. The reason they are successful is everyone has heard of Google and Chrome so it’s an easy sell
@@I_Was_Chrispy_Kreme It seems like he is just angry and jealous that ChromeOS is doing so much better than traditional Gnu/Linux distros among the general population. Aside from larger hard drive space and the ability to install popular programs from other operating systems, none of his points actually hold up.
@@tornadot2025 I would dearly love for a proper open source, freedom respecting laptop that was affordable and available main stream here in the UK. Sadly Linux lets itself down due to all the infighting, which to outsiders appears to be senseless "systemd is the devil" "snaps are the future..." etc.
I think even if such a device existed at a range of price points, the first thing most people would do is chuck Chrome and Facebook on there and it's blown.
I had one of the original Asus chromebooks (C720) and it was useless without wifi.... now I have an Asus chromebook with touchscreen, stylus, android and linux apps, would I like it to be a bit more open... sure, but for what I need right now it's great. Super fast and super reliable.
It's really interesting reading the comments on this page because the techies pretty much hate it, the fanboys love it but the unifying theme that ties both groups is that to an extent, almost everyone who owns a Chromebook has found at least one good reason to keep using it and in my books that can't be a bad thing! 😃
I’m a techie (definitely not a fanboy) and I don’t hate it, it offers things that other operating systems don’t and outperforms them when it comes to normal every day use types of tasks. Wouldn’t want it to be my one and ONLY system by any means but it’s still pretty awesome for several reasons.
I'm a techie too and like it. chrome os minus the poor native integration is something the rest of Linux desktops should strive to be. it's straightforward to use.
I was gifted a cheap chromebook and wasn't sure what I was gonna do with it. It is now my portable emulator and I love it for that. Other than that it's just something to lay in bed and watch youtube or browse the web. Dreamcast saved it from never getting used.
I think those are fair use cases
That’s actually genius
I hate to say it but you're totally missing the point of ChromeOS and don't understand why people buy these things, the point isn't to have control or capability, the point is to have a computer that turns on and runs Chrome, that's all it's supposed to do and for many people that's enough, for many people more than that just over complicates things and makes using a computer cumbersome.
I think the problem is that us Linux users forget how to empathise with the average computer user, most people just want a computer that turns on and runs Chrome, that's it, anything else over complicates things as far as these people are concerned and that's totally fine and valid. As Linux users we're not the target audience of these devices, not even remotely close.
I think that ‘was’ the point of Chromebooks originally. The incorporation of 3 different ways to get apps make it more than a simple browser on a laptop and it means they want it to be more than just a browser. The increased power of the hardware being offered also means they want it to be more than a simple browser interface. The issue is like Android not having a vision for messaging service, the Chromebook seems to lack any vision. Simple services like file management is implemented poorly. It’s not simpler at all and that’s the real problem.
@@dasgeek Having used Chrome OS I still believe it to be much simpler than the alternatives since fundamentally it's still a device to use Chrome.
The inclusion of the Android app store was actually fairly genius since the target audience for these devices is already used to phone apps so it's pretty easy for them to understand them there.
The only thing I'll agree with you on is that the file management is pretty bad, I don't understand why there aren't at least folders for documents and photos.
Despite all that though, I still think Chrome OS is leaps and bounds better than the alternatives for it's target demographic
I got the Samsung chrome book plus v2 for 270$ just to mess around with it..I have 2 MacBooks but the chrome book has a really good screen, decent keyboard and usable touchpad...it gets around 7 hours battery life with moderate usage and has a touchscreen. The screen itself is really close to the MacBook retinas. I’m actually impressed with the thing for the price. You can use chromeos with virtualized Linux apps or just install gallum or some other distro but either way I hate bloated windows on portable devices. It’s a battery drain
I have apps on my phone for editing and music that are imo better than equivalent programs on Linux, and require less power because they're mobile apps. I don't have a chromebook but this video is very biased. Chromebooks seem similar to buying a decent tablet, just that you have the keyboard attached. Linux is good for privacy, but most everything else is amateur hour and why you will never see the average linux distro have any real appeal to most people.
Once again, Chrome OS is based on Linux. It's a terribly limited version. So if anything I would be PRO Chrome OS if I was bias. Editing music on a phone is great for small tasks but nobody doing serious audio work would rely on their phone to edit audio. A laptop should be more capable than a 6" cellphone.
Don't really understand the problem here, or all the sarcy comments. If you want something bigger than a phone, with a decent keyboard to browse, email, blog, etc then a Chromebook is great. If you need to run complex/heavy local applications then a Chromebook is not for you. Simple. When my mum's 10 year old Win7 laptop finally dies then a Chromebook is so obviously the right choice for her.
Security
Does the keyboard have proper function keys? Every Chromebook I've used has their worthless media keys.
Same worthless media keys. You have to use a different key combination in order to replicate function keys. Another silly choice.
I think you can just change it to be function keys or "media keys" the real thing missing is number pad and caps lock. However I think caps lock is pointless but I know people do use it. Another thing is right click it's there but it stumped so many people when we rolled it out . 😂
Well, smart people are buying them for the hardware. They are highly subsidized by google because of the user data that they are going to sell. Buy the chromebook for the hardware spec, wipe it and install a linux distro. Freedom and control is yours…
does linux have gpu hardware acceleration ?
@@mrthp Not much to gain in the way of GPU cycles in a Chromebook 👍😉
Most people are not technically inclined enough for Linux, and windows doesn't run very well unless you spend a shit ton of money on great hardware, which most people can't afford. Don't get me wrong I love Linux, been using it since the late 90's, but at the same time if you have both Chrome OS and Linux running on systems with the same hardware, Chrome OS is generally more snappy, polished and easy to use. Allowing android and Linux apps to run on it is just icing on the cake... I'm not really into a lot of the chromebooks that are out there because of the low spec hardware, I'm a performance snob, so instead I'd rather take an old windows 8/10 laptop, throw a Samsung 870 EVO in it and install chrome os to use for normal every day things like email, web browsing, downloading shit, scanning and eFax-ing documents, etc... For games and media production I have a windows 10 desktop, and for anything else like playing around with UI customization I have Linux on a surface 2-in-1. I wish Linux had the polish of Chrome OS... that would be amazing!
@David Kim Not exactly, it’s BASED on Gentoo but they butchered the shit out of it and slid the chrome browser into the spinal cavity. That’s why you have to enable the Linux subsystem in order to run Linux apps. ChromeOS’s relation to Linux is similar to that of Android’s, and you generally don’t call Android “Linux” either even though it’s based on it.
The main thing I say about Chromebooks is that if you think they're too weak and featureless, you're not the target demographic.
The target demographic is the people who want to surf the internet, stream video, check their email.
Indeed, Google has pivoted to more deceptive marketing strategies, and Chrome OS feeds into Google's main business as an advertising company.
However, Google has been very open to letting users install an entirely different OS. I got one when I started high school, and I installed Manjaro when my Windows laptop fell apart in my freshman year of college. I now have EndeavorOS GNOME on it and it runs like a charm. It's not powerful, but for a 11-inch computer I can shove into a bag for coding or creative writing, it does the job.
As for Google's data harvesting, you can't really avoid it. Most jobs use G Suite, their ad trackers are all over the internet, and your ISP also sells you out to Google. At this point, the only solution is for government to step in and ban this surveillance capitalism.
Chrome os laptops are actually the most easily available corebooted devices that can often kinda easily be “liberated”, so I’m ok with them spreading them. I’m just frustrated that so many companies push their flagship tablets with the newest crazy ARM chips out with android and not chromeOS, that would be much more convenient ;)
Of course, overall, it’s not great.
Really? I was looking into this specifically because for my use case, I want to run a livestream on a quiet, passively cooled and small device. Looked into some of the netbooks out there and saw some Lenovo Duet 5 chromebook which would have been absolutely PERFECT for my use case, even having a nice OLED screen but as I looked into an OS that would run on it, there was just ONE and that one still left like half of the hardware non-functional.
I REALLY wish I could just buy a cheap netbook to run a browser and slap a arm based Manjaro on there and have it actually work but it doesn't seem to be that easy.
I've been using Chromebooks since 2013 and find them very useful. They are between tablets and laptops in terms of functionality.
I used this working in an educational environment where just a single pc was available in every classroom as a universal workhorse used for lecturing, registration, and any number of pedagogic and administrative tasks. Switching from one task to another was a pain (for instance, interrupting a presentation to check an urgent email or register a latecomer was a pain, turning off the projector then on again to hide anything confidential). It is possible to use a phone or tablet for some of this, but a supplementary chromebook was light enough to move around the classroom and transport between classrooms/institutions, big enough to share the screen where necessary, had really good battery performance and was cheap enough to cope with the everyday disasters that happen in busy colleges (i.e., both relatively secure and easily replaced - I got through a few of them). Having a keyboard in this context was great compared to tablet or phone - a useful supplementary workhorse.
But outside this environment its use is much more limited and its built-in obsolescence a disaster. And why anyone would buy a top end chromebook at those prices beats me!
pretty much same as what I got. AMD64 and all that.
okay so how do i replace Chrome OS with ubuntu without having a live disc or USB? because yeah. I fucking hate google.
You dont even understand Chrome OS dude. Why comment on it and make Linux community a bad community that just brags on every company
Wow this one is best review i have seen. Thanks for sharing this info. 👍
Well I would give a chromebook to an absolute non techy person instead of windows machine everyday since they're usually used to android and windows is crap.
+ A detachable one as a tablet replacement for media consumption is nice otherwise, I'm a dev + Arch and tiling wm user and that's better than an android tablet and you can have a GNU/Linux container when you want to do some quick things on the terminal like checking some code in vim or other light work without termux's limitation. You also have the option to switch to a GNU/Linux distro anytime you want although I doubt actual Desktop Environment's could provide a similar tablet exeperience.
I bought a cromebook cause I wanted to have a tablet for reading books and watching movies and for almost the same price I got ASUS flip c214. I am quite happy with my purchase you can do everything a tab can do and more. . But I agree, for any serious computing work . its a joke.
As an owner of multiple business', a chromebook is great to purchase whole sale for all employees. Great for business applications like inventory and use as a POS device. For what I do, a chromebook shines.
People like them because they are simple...point and click and inexpensive. They don't have to worry about doing something wrong and breaking the os. They just get on the net and go
I have always used Windows computers (well, except for when I was still using MS-DOS), but I finally gave up on them. I got tired of the long boot time, the never ending bugs, and the cost of applications. I tried using iPads, but the limitations of IPADOS (mainly only having two windows) drove me crazy! My Chromebook does everything I need it to do as a user. I use the free on-line version of MS Office, I use the free version of PowerDirector, I use other free services for photo editing. I use the free Zoom PWA for my weekly meetings on occasional on-line classes. A young lady that attends our church is starting college and needs something that will run the free MS Office 365 web application (free for students, including a 1 TB cloud storage. I bought her a $100 Chromebook 2-in-1 because it will fulfill that role as well as any higher end unit. Will it be enough to get her through her whole degree program? Maybe. Probably not. But it will certainly get her through her first two years. After that she will be more aware of what her degree choice will be, and can pick up a Mac or a Windows computer.
A Chromebook can do 100% of what I need it to do. If I was a gamer, I’d probably want something else. But most people just want something that can perform simple tasks. Can a Chromebook be used to create a professional video? Probably not. But it is more than adequate for creating the very amateurish videos that I post on RUclips.
And that’s the point of Chromebooks when you get right down to it: they are computers for people that don’t really need computers. They are “the computers for the rest of us”, and they fill that role very well.
Lmfao 😂😂😂😂 Chromebooks are great my Lenovo duet + Xbox cloud gaming = portable Xbox 👌🏻
So you have to subscribe to another service to do something other laptops can do without the subscription (game natively) and that makes it great?
@@dasgeek 1- already have gamepass its unbeatable value especially for families with kids like myself.
2- Chromebooks less $200 have no issue running xcloud so still a portable Xbox 1080p with 6-8hr battery 👌🏻
@@dasgeek another service, so when you go on your PC to game please don't tell me you use the another service like steam of online and buy your games. I hope you are using the built in games like solitaire. Don't be using another service. 😂😂
Lots of companies use Chromebooks only we do at work. Automatic updates and security unrivalled, managing chrome os mates Group policy look like a aged dinosaur. Chrome os is incredibly Linux, android chrome and updates, what more do you need?
ChromeOS is actually a very good concept and idea, it brings web apps (both online and offline) to the level of native apps which saves storage and runs faster, also making all of your files available in the cloud to collaborate and use on any other device, other Linux distros are good, I'm a fan of Mint but it takes effort to learn and thosebLinux distros are not totally user friendly compared to ChromeOS, Android, Windows...
this is true chrome os is the only Linux that's easy asf to use. I just think the Linux community just needs to work on better integration of native apps on chromium os while making it work with Googles window manager etc which are way more polished than the previous Linux alternatives that chrome used to use before they replaced them with Googles own creations then we'd actually have a distro good enough to promote to the public
It makes sense if all you want is an extremely good battery life with all you’re computation being in the cloud. Imagine coding in the woods in a hammock or at the park on a bench!?
The file manager is a disaster. I've been using one for my business for a couple months. Also the app store has the apps. The apps can be installed but sometimes they are pretty useless if they need USB access or printer access. I found your video because I was just thinking about going with a pure linux install.
This video seems almost tone-deaf to the incredible popularity of ChromeOS (Chrome book, Chrome box, Chrome AIO, etc.). It's as if you didn't even fully research the ChromeOS use case(s). Additionally, have you ever met anyone who uses an iPhone? That should have answered most of your questions right up front. Many of us use Linux and ChromeOS, or Windows and ChromeOS, or Mac and ChromeOS. It's another useful tool in the toolbox. It's a poor craftsman that attacks every problem with only one tool.
Chromebooks are popular because they're cheap. Education institutions use it because it has great management for lock down, distribution and control. For everyday users there is absolutely nothing Chromebook does better than a standard PC or Mac. They could however fix the issues I highlighted in the video and have a real treasure on their hands.
The early Chrome OS (oh crud now a geezer's gonna blather about the good old days of chromebooks) was incredibly robust. My daughter could destroy any OS, downloading animated cursors, themes, and other PUP-infested tchotchkes until it collapsed under the cruft. But she couldn't break Chrome OS.
So that's the one use case that I've encountered. It's sad to hear that Google have gone from "a browser wrapped in minimal hardware" to a klugey collection of software globs, glued sideways onto each other, as you reported (more elegantly) here. But their goal is not an elegantly integrated software architecture; it is, rather, Google-ish monitoring and control of their end product, the "users" they deliver to their advertisers. Hope the OS protections are still robust, at least.
I love how everyone has a opinion but in reality only want the side they choose to credited. If you're going to speak on something don't hide behind a wall. I reallly would like to know the like to dislike ratio of this video.. Interesting...
Mostly dislike I would say as it's hugely biased, I am biased like chrome os.
Well if you're on a chrome book you can install an extension that's called "Return RUclips Dislike" It will show the dislike button like it was originally on RUclips with the number of dislikes.
I have a Chromebook from 2017, but in 2022 I can't get any more updates also the system slows down and I either have to powerwash it or go into incognito for the Chromebook to speed up and for now I just use it to watch youtube or check my email on Yahoo! And I have a windows laptop for word processing and for online classes!
Chrome os is not for power users but for schools and old people chrome os is not so bad what you made out to be but you have to be realistic what can do😉
Bit ageist there! I'm 58 - probably old to you, but currently run MX Linux and Arch on main laptops, but love the simplicity, ease of use, security updates, super quick boot up of my three Chrome books. So MX for more demanding computing tasks, Arch Linux or derivative for hobbyist tinkering and CBs for social use of the Internet/ media consumption.
Sadly, this is YT video is an ill-informed Linux fan boy dig at CBs.
@@barriewood9336 I don’t mean all old people
It also means there skill level 😉
You have to change your mindset and work within the limitations of the browser rather than trying to control everything. If the latter’s important to you, stick with Windows, MacOS and a regular Linux distro. ChromeOS is designed to help you surf the web, chat with friends, do email and basic office work. If you’re expecting more, that’s not going to do what you want.
I like chrome os more than almost all the other Linux distros and I've been an Ubuntu user since 2008
I installed Linux but my processor couldn't handle both. Scrolling was slow and choppy. I think you need at least a I 3.
Great video summarizing all the problems with Chromebooks. Above 600 USD / Euro a Chromebooks does not make sense to buy, For Google this is not a problem but for Lenevo , HP, Asus and Acer this is as they need to sell the device in a market segment where there is a very low margin. Above 600 USD / Euro the same spec Chromebooks is expensive then similar spec Windows device. Biggest problem is that Google has reached a the maximum at lower price points and need to move up so hardware manufactures are incentivated to sell expensive hardware were there are better margin. Now Google doesn’t know what to do they killed local Chrome apps in favor of web apps, then introduced a limited Android to get some apps. Problem is that no developer is developing android apps fo bigger screen device but only phones. The Android misses a lot of functionality such as Widevine L1 so streaming apps are not displaying HD or 4K. Then they introduced Linux, but this is also handicapped without hardware video decoding acceleration such as VA API or VDPAU. Now they area are with Steam trying to get games on Chromebooks by creating a new Linux container using another Linux distro and hiring people to create a OpenGL passthru via virtio, Proton as emulator for running Steam games. Hardware manufacturers are beginning to sell Chromebooks games laptop even when Steam is still in alpha phase. Simply Google does not know what they want with Chrome OS/ Chromebooks.
I got so tired of of Chrome that I opened my chromebook up disabled the feature that dosen't allow you to delete chrome and then downloaded linux mint on a usb and booted it. Just to get linux mint.
Ubuntu supposed to have a Chrome OS like distro instead on Chrome it's Firefox. Forgot what it's called
one thing that would make chrome os flex greater is that it shuld be taking advantage of the hardware and not to cheap out on that.
I was thinking of getting a cheap chromebook for the express purpose of wiping it to install linux
It would actually happen to be that I have the same model of chromebook you showed in the video, and I'm going to install ZorinOS on it
Why microsoft still not considered Chromebooks os ...they haven't being office suite for Chromebooks
Have you used Google docs, sheets and slides, drawing, etc. Google office suit is very good and cloud based as well as being free. Also you can install office app from the play store or use 365 online office suite. Via Linux on chrome os you can install open office or libre off etc. Personally use Google suite it's really good especially Google sheets that is amazing when you start linking and querying different sheets together.
but the Google things they added are pretty good. they got rid of x and pulse audio with something better. and they removed the need for the terminal which is good for the common public
You did not tell us how to get the hardware form factor with just ubuntu
I install Linux from USB on an old heavy laptop
Why not the same on this hardware ??????????
if you wanna browse the web you can just buy a galaxy tab or lenovo pad thingy
When their on sale for 100 to 130
dollars it's a good buy , anything
costing more than that for a
Chromebook does seem
ridiculous.
Although my new Samsung Chromebook 4 does seem comparible to the speed of a
expensive laptop with an i3
processor .
But definitely for people looking
to get one , no don't pay more than
130.00 for one.
Adding to my previous comment, the weirdest part of it all is that in India most Chromebooks are much more expensive than entry level laptops! I think a 15 year old laptop has more use than the latest chromebook.
No chromebooks doing the same tasks will be faster and have better battery life along with likely being lighter and quieter. Chromebooks do not have as much flexibility though so if you have a bit of money you really would want a full fledged budget windows laptop.
I totally agree with you if you are a professional Windows user like me. My 5 year old I7 gaming laptop that I mostly use to edit videos with Sony Vegas whil sitting in Starbucks sipping coffee died on me, so I wanted something lighter and affordable to replace it. (I have a powerful windows desktop at home to edit as well). So I said I would try a high specced Chromebook instead...A 500$ asus with Amd rysen 5 series cpu 16 gig ram etc etc...Boy was I wrong with this one....I never felt so limited in my choices of editing software and general operation of that asus Chromebook...I loved the chrome OS simplicity and the security of it all with fast boot times and no driver downloads etc...but it was limited for me. I think those high specced 500$ and up chromebook are overkill and waste of money. You can simply by a 100$ one that can do the same job I felt that i have already my samsung note 20 in my pocket that can do the exact thing. I returned it and got myself a 1 year old used windows 10 gaming laptop for 500$ and job is done...Its great for my mom or a school kid wich what intended for in the first place to chek emails, watch RUclips and do school work. But I can see the potential of the Chromebook in the future...
Asus Flip 234touchscreen, i am testing with linux apps/ch OS for a few weks until i switch fully to a linux distro. What i fail to find is a distro which is optimal with touchscreen. Linuxmint has a TABLET and Ubuntu option, any suggestions for other distros ? Mahalo for the video.
you realize on any linux distro you can install any touchscreen driver package and see which one works best for you
Good news is that either Mint or Ubuntu will serve you well. There are so many amazing distros to try and you might get the bug to try them all out eventually but Ubuntu or Mint is a great starting point as you will have lots of tutorials and info easily found online.
How is it so shocking that a cheap machine with an OS that allows the average person to do 90% of what they would do on any other OS is selling so well among the general population? Hmm, a linux user has the nerve to call something else sloppy and a complete mess? The irony is so rich that you can cut it with a knife.
So Linux let you go through anything on the Google chrome without you being limited on every site?
Really an underappreciated os
Lol everyone just tell your parents to install Linux because they should know better...
Yep let's tell my parents you need to learn these Linux commands. 🤣 I start by asking my mum what distro she wants is she more a Ubuntu mainstream, arch kind of gal or a purest and thinks debain is her thing.
It's pretty cheap, so deleting ChromeOS and slapping on Arch or Bunsen is a great alternative. If you're not afraid of bricking it in the process, that is....
I really like my chromebook, its usefull for me and makes no noise, great battery-life, etc
I got a chromebox for $30 because I needed a very small PC to power a monitor so my wife can watch soaps in the middle of the night. A full PC would have been too large and too expensive.
well if you know , about the storage , if it's possible , you can just buy and install a new ssd
I don't get the high end but the low end $100 Chromebooks I get. Wish I had gotten over my tablet - light and all day battery
Ha Ha , I am using that same Chromebook to watch this. The OS is good for basic users. if I need more power I fire up my zorin pro
But to be honest about it chrome takes care of 90% of what I need to do. Nice video.
I think your ignoring the fact that millions just use their computers for some very basic stuff, shopping, writing letters, the ability to have an email address, To book holidays, flights, ferries and hotels. To book tickets for shows etc etc. In fact, the number of people that want to know what goes on inside their computers, is about the same as the number that want to know how what goes on under their car hood. Chrome OS is fine for all that and more. Most users don't need to spend $1000's on a mac or a windows machine, a chrome book is just fine. Before you buy any computer you need to work out what you need it for, and for millions chrome will do the job.
Amazing video. A lot of my questions were answered, i know where i stand with my Chromebook now.
Wasn't sure if Linux was worth getting, now i know i can finally get some good editing software and some freedom with it.
Big Help. Big Thanks
Chrome OS does what its supposed to do and it does it well.
Tech guys always overcomplicate things, Chrome OS is popular for a reason, The hardware is cheap, it's integrated and syncs well within the Google ecosystem, it's low powered, it has general ease of use, it's efficient and what it does and because of Chrome OS Flex, it can breath new life into old computers.
Some people like my mom and many others only use their laptops to plug in their usb and watch videos, browse the web and occasionally play basic games like a word or puzzle game and solitair.
Then there's people like me, if i want to do real heavy computing(and by that i mean gaming) i have my Windows PC for that, but Chrome OS is good for what i would do on a laptop and provides a much better experience on a mobile device, surf the web for research, type out some documents, use it for my blog and browse social media.
I hate how when you download Linux apps they have a default icon
Interesting discussion here - As someone who has used desktop linux, macOS, and windows for 10+ years, ChromeOS certainly has its time and place - if your laptop is your main computing device, I agree ChromeOS doesn't make sense - however, if you're like me and have devices everywhere, and a laptop is more of a couch/bedroom device and you do "real computing" on your desktop anyway, ChromeOS is great. I use a laptop maybe 10 hours a month I don't want to deal with keeping Windows/MacOS up to date or manually running apt-get update
is it possible to install linux distro on Chromebook?
Yes if you enable Linux under Advanced Settings, you can install a Linux desktop as well as applications and dual boot between them and ChromeOS.
Thank you. That´s what I wanted to know.
I've got a Pixelbook i7 and 16GB RAM. I can run some Android apps, plenty of Chrome PWAs, and Linux applications on there with ease. Since I work in IT, and everything is now cloud based, I never have an issue running admin tasks in Azure or 365 from the device. Where I do tend to run into issues is when I need VS Code etc., although that's mitigated somewhat by Crostini. But yeah -- all I do is on this thing. Not sure if that's a good thing or not...
I bought a chrome os tablet a year ago. Honestly, I wish I just bought an Android tablet. It would have been a lot more useful lol. This thing is very buggy. I did write most of my IT works for a semester on it. Plus did some courses, but the experience was pretty jank at the end. Moral of the story, if u want smth with Android apps primarily and with Linux, buy like a Chuwi tablet or smth. It will be a lot better than this
Not sure what you work entailed. A chromebook is essentially a tablet with a keyboard. They are good for going on trips or if your work is simple. However, it is no replacement for a "real" laptop and definitely not a desktop. You cannot get a bright 14 inch screen and a keyboard with loud speakers and 8 hours battery on a tablet for 125 dollars like I did. Unfortunately it won't be supported in 6 months so I will try to put linux on here and see how that works.
TBH, I have personally never find any use for a Tablet or Chromebook. Well, one of the reason is (mostly) belong to a third world country and I can afford one device of this type. And I dont find any use of Tablets (Android/ Apple) or Chromebooks except media consumption. The OSes in these devices are too much restricted.
ChromeOS doesn't make any sense 😑
Visual Studio Code?
Thanks for taking the time so I don't waste mine...
You are exaggerating because most people won’t use anything other than the browser and there is something called Google services and Google documents and Google docs google excel sheets and Google presentations so basically nowadays everything you want as a student or as a person who does the office job you can find in the browser through the Google services so basically you don’t need to do anything else and lately I install a Google Chrome flex and I was surprised because usually I have a Windows laptop and I need nothing but the browser and Google Chrome actually surprised me with fulfilling all my needs which is great I don’t need to be a programmer or anything else I just need to open my word or document Google documents and that’s it I don’t need anything else and maybe watch a film or RUclips on a browser that’s the purpose of a chrome book which is cheaper that than any other windows laptop and with the touchscreen which is amazing and longer battery time
Reason for buying is long battery like on the go.
Why Linux dont have a big market share? - Because of the Linux community which is all about negativity. At this point, I think people who hate companies use Linux. Does Linux dont have advantages to speak about? Why always brah about some company. Plz make Linux community positive. That what's attracts people. Not bragging on companies. please god please.
I think you mean 'ragging' on companies? I like a lot of OS's besides Linux. I like iOS and MacOS and Windows pre version 10 where it turned into a privacy nightmare. Linux doesnt have a market share problem, its dominated every sector from mobile, supercomputers through to the servers and Cloud. ChromeOS is based on Linux. Its a terribly fractured version and I explained why in the video. I applaud you like it but we have very different use cases and thats ok. Chill and enjoy life.
Linux is the new vegan, 🤣. Defo feels like it's a tight knit community. I love Linux in all forms, been using Linux as well as many other OS I can get my hands on. I've tried so many, I always go back to Linux because you can make it so fast on my 12 year old i7, I like the fact you can update all your apps in one command. Windows I'd use chocolaty or patchmypc or something else.
@@dasgeek I used to use Linux, but I can't take the daily dose of negativity Linux community provides. I personally cannot find a single Linux channel that don't brag on other companies. Now I am too much happy with Chrome OS.
@@ravitejaknts You're a snowflake in search of a safe space and chromeos gives that to you. Other people don't take the fetal position because people talk loudly. They use linux.
These things sell like hotcakes because for most people, computers are just access to a browser with a bigger screen and a keyboard....
No disrespect to people that have figured out how to poweruse chrome, because that's what power users do, I'm talking about the general masses of people who are buying this kind of thing.
Very good question why Google would lock down what was really a heavy fork of Gentoo so much
It's not a good question, it's an uninformed one, Google wanted a lightweight unbreakable and the ultimate secure os. That will lock it down if they didn't they couldn't be the most secure os on the market. It is way ahead of any os in terms of security and they are every day making it better and better with instant updates and eventually it will do more and more.
@@joebrackenborough1051 makes no sense. security is determined by a number of exploits, not if something is locked and not and linux has the fewest out there.
@@IamAWESOME3980 security is a balance between locking down and use ability. So directly related 💯. If you only allow Chrome browser and not all you have locked it down no real user choice but, you only have one browser to patch and update. The more things you add the more ways to get a vulnerability. It's an exact correlation. Also look up vulnerabilities on chrome os and then look up any other OS. Also chrome os automatically updates it has two partitions it updates one while the other is being used and then it switches them from active to passive so just one restart and you have the latest OS, no interruptions no user to decide to not install it because they are busy. So again no user choice on updates but massively secure. Balance.
@@joebrackenborough1051 haha, no. I am a software engineer with a bachelor's in computer science and a minor in cyber security. how locked down a software does absolute nil to the security of its software.
@@IamAWESOME3980 so you are saying having one chrome browser to patch is the same attack vector as having 12 browser apps to patch? Same risk of security? No difference to security?
The mentally displayed in this video is why Linux is still suitable for a minority of users.
A nice, inexpensive device you can use to give Google all of YOURS and YOUR CHILDREN's information to. Big fan. (Makes you wonder why they ended up being so cheap and proliferated in the COVID years)
But everything is siloed, containerized and sandboxed! This is super modern, secure and the future! /s. Other than that, great overview of lame ChromeOS.
Honestly? For the average person siloed, containerized and sandboxed is exactly what they want, it can't go wrong and it's super easy to use, for people who want that I don't see the problem
@@linuxlounge sandboxed? But then how does an app interact with another app?
Chrome OS is my least favourite OS. I like Windows more because it's better for gaming.
I found a used one for $40 so I’ll see if I can save it with Linux haha
Please stop moderating (read: removing) non-toxic comments. Especially when they agree with your video content.
Likely something automatic from RUclips as I haven’t moderated any comments on this video.
Write man, students write and take notes… for that is more than ok 🙄
This is so bias, clearly this guy is so owned by M$ or Apple, computers are not just for IT Tech, Gamers or Developers, many people just want to fire-up their computer to check their emails, browse the web and watch a couple of videos on RUclips, again, something you can do on any other computer, but, there's a learning curve, even more for seniors, which is not that hard with chromeOS, my parents have Chromebooks and Chromeboxes for almost a year now, I haven't got any issues like virus or anything like it since I switch them from a Windows machine, before I had to get to their place almost 3 times a week because they broke something on the computer or got scared because downloaded something from their emails, all past history.
I think you miss the whole point about chrome os 😂 security is amazing on chrome os.
Security without privacy isn't security I want.
@@dasgeek I'd rather Google have my data then a hacker or ransomware. You have privacy Google knows your data but it's private they don't publish it. 😂 I know it's a thing that a big company has your data and they are evil but seriously what is wrong with Google knowing some information? For 90 percent of the public Chromebook is perfect.
@@joebrackenborough1051 it's such an important question you're asking. I feel it's genuine and appreciate that. It's hard to explain in a single comment text. Let's start here first : ruclips.net/video/XtG9qROjacw/видео.html
@@dasgeek i watched the vid, but I don't get it. I am a really open person you ask me a question I will answer it honestly, sometimes to my own detriment people don't want honestly really they want agreeable even if you don't believe it. So being an open person I don't think there is anything Google knows about me that I wouldn't tell someone. I am not a big secretive person I am unlikely to publish info openly but in some ways I trust Google with my info. I wouldn't trust Facebook or social media, which I don't do. Dunno just doesn't see the importance of keeping preferences hidden. I keep bank, ni, pin hidden. But if Google knows I have dental appointment Wednesday and knows Im male with brown hair and like chocolate, Warhammer and RUclips I'm kind of ok with it.
Fantastic information! Thanks! I was thinking to buy a chromebook until I saw this video!
Unfortunately it was too late for me 💀🔫
Let's Go Brandon 🇺🇲
@@dirkdiggler5821 the queen of England just died 💀
Let’s go Brandon 🇺🇸
@@teaser452 ....You are catching on. That's great 👍
👍 I keep my tablet and desktop
I believe that the reason they sell as much as they do maybe schools over pay principals and SUPERINTENDENTS that are getting kickbacks to push chromebook I know a lot of parents that asked me after the school administrators told them that it would be great for them to use as well as their children. Then they found out that had more troubles than ( OH WELL ) and then thay asked me and others finding out how screwy balled. With no Laugh Out Loud B U T T E R was not used to make it any better. That is school politics we need to get rid of school administrators with more than 1 secretary doing all there work, never in there office, salary over a million dollars a year and trying to put 60 to 90 student in classroom per teacher. How sad for public to be robbed like this and teachers be under payed.
I agree. And Google already has too much power.
Ubuntu Web remix
What is it about Chrome OS? Well, it's easy, simple and it plain works! Enable Linux and you can install plenty of Linux applications and free Microsoft Office alternatives. It's a no brainer. It's perfect for 99% of computer users. We're not all computer geeks or hackers with no life. Space is no problem. Just get yourself an external hard drive. Voilà! Not intuitive? I think you're talking about Linux...
minecraft isn't mallware
A fair and balanced review; great insights Ryan!
A completely biased review in the same way if I reviewed chrome os 😂
without downliad virus
Flex is fastee then lubuntu