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As a Linux fanatic myself, I've been really interested in flashing a cheap Chromebook into Arch or something low resource, and using it as a super mobile workst

by dgzl 8y ago

As a Linux fanatic myself, I've been really interested in flashing a cheap Chromebook into Arch or something low resource, and using it as a super mobile workstation. I guess the only problem is, I haven't given up on my T430 from college. Upgraded parts, extended battery and dock makes for a very comfortable setup that's hard to leave.

stevewillows 8y ago
Take a look at https://galliumos.org https://galliumos.org -- its Xubuntu tweaked for certain Chromebooks. I've been running it on a first gen Toshiba CB2 (4gb ram, 16gb eMMC, 1080p display) -- and it runs really well. I run i3 and the other standards. I use it as my out-on-the-town laptop out of fear of either dropping or losing my late 2013 macbook pro. Anyway, the dev community around this is pretty decent, and other distros do run with varying degrees of success. If nothing else, its a fun, quick little project to get it up and running. edit: I should also mention that having a 8-10hr actual-use battery life is a dream come true.
- dgzl 8y ago
  > I should also mention that having a 8-10hr actual-use battery life is a dream come true. This really is where the gold is. Many people don't prioritize battery life when picking a laptop, which is just hilarious in my mind.
  - stevewillows 8y ago
    Its crazy, right? I confess that I was totally in that camp prior to getting this little chromebook. I always figured that 4 - 5 hours was as good as I'd ever get, but now I've seen the light. I even gave it a cute cover (that most people think is hideous) using some mactac -- https://i.imgur.com/wO1WW2t.jpg https://i.imgur.com/wO1WW2t.jpg
guenthert 8y ago
I don't think Chromebooks make good Linux laptops. I had a cheap Samsung one and still use my '13 Pixel. The latter's screen is too reflective, the keyboard is mediocre and there are no PgUp/PgDown keys, so editing would be cumbersome (uh, yeah, I know of C-v and M-v, but still). It is awesome at watching Netflix and browsing the Web though (when looking at the screen at an angle avoiding the worst reflections ;-} or rather was, as it is now EoL'ed by Google, hence I actually might perform the conversion soonish.

by dgzl 8y ago

stevewillows 8y ago

Take a look at https://galliumos.org https://galliumos.org -- its Xubuntu tweaked for certain Chromebooks. I've been running it on a first gen Toshiba CB2 (4gb ram, 16gb eMMC, 1080p display) -- and it runs really well. I run i3 and the other standards. I use it as my out-on-the-town laptop out of fear of either dropping or losing my late 2013 macbook pro. Anyway, the dev community around this is pretty decent, and other distros do run with varying degrees of success. If nothing else, its a fun, quick little project to get it up and running. edit: I should also mention that having a 8-10hr actual-use battery life is a dream come true.

dgzl 8y ago
> I should also mention that having a 8-10hr actual-use battery life is a dream come true. This really is where the gold is. Many people don't prioritize battery life when picking a laptop, which is just hilarious in my mind.
- stevewillows 8y ago
  Its crazy, right? I confess that I was totally in that camp prior to getting this little chromebook. I always figured that 4 - 5 hours was as good as I'd ever get, but now I've seen the light. I even gave it a cute cover (that most people think is hideous) using some mactac -- https://i.imgur.com/wO1WW2t.jpg https://i.imgur.com/wO1WW2t.jpg

guenthert 8y ago

I don't think Chromebooks make good Linux laptops. I had a cheap Samsung one and still use my '13 Pixel. The latter's screen is too reflective, the keyboard is mediocre and there are no PgUp/PgDown keys, so editing would be cumbersome (uh, yeah, I know of C-v and M-v, but still). It is awesome at watching Netflix and browsing the Web though (when looking at the screen at an angle avoiding the worst reflections ;-} or rather was, as it is now EoL'ed by Google, hence I actually might perform the conversion soonish.