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It depends on the team, and the individual. Generally, a Googler does actually get to pick their OS, it's part of the onboarding process that every Noogler goe

It depends on the team, and the individual. Generally, a Googler does actually get to pick their OS, it's part of the onboarding process that every Noogler goes through, and you're given 30 days from your start to swap around and test the other platforms (gLinux, macOS, gWindows, or Chrome OS).

vinkelhake 4y ago
I was under the impression that unless you have an actual business need that calls for something other than gLinux, then it's going to be gLinux. Like a Chromium dev who primarily works on the Windows side of Chrome obviously has a need for it. I'll fully admit that my onboarding experience is quite out of date since I've been there for a decade. When I joined I didn't really have a choice for workstation since I only worked on server side stuff. Sounds like things have changed.
- esprehn 4y ago
  No they're the same. Pretty much all google3 work is done on Linux, but folks usually get 2 machines: a laptop you pick the OS and the workstation (or cloudtop) which is Linux unless there's a special need like chrome eng. Lots of folks do stuff like use Chrome OS + cider + cloudtop though.
  - vinkelhake 4y ago
    Okay, then it sounds like I did give an accurate answer to OP's question (which was about workstations, not laptops) :) I've used different setups over the years, but my workstation has always been Linux. Currently running gLinux on the workstation and cloudtop. My current laptop is running ChromeOS (I'm a ChromeOS swe).
YPPH 4y ago
I was certainly under the impression you got the choice, thanks for confirming that applies generally.
- p_l 4y ago
  You get a choice for the laptop, but unless your work touches any other platform its going to be done on Linux workstation (or remoting to one), iirc
endtime 4y ago
Are you sure you're talking about workstation and not laptop? What you're saying sounds true for laptops, but I was at Google for 10 years on a variety of teams and I was only ever aware of Linux workstations unless one has a specific need for a different OS. (Or you could get a Chromebox at one point, but then you'd be SSHing to and building on a VM.)

vinkelhake 4y ago

I was under the impression that unless you have an actual business need that calls for something other than gLinux, then it's going to be gLinux. Like a Chromium dev who primarily works on the Windows side of Chrome obviously has a need for it. I'll fully admit that my onboarding experience is quite out of date since I've been there for a decade. When I joined I didn't really have a choice for workstation since I only worked on server side stuff. Sounds like things have changed.

esprehn 4y ago
No they're the same. Pretty much all google3 work is done on Linux, but folks usually get 2 machines: a laptop you pick the OS and the workstation (or cloudtop) which is Linux unless there's a special need like chrome eng. Lots of folks do stuff like use Chrome OS + cider + cloudtop though.
- vinkelhake 4y ago
  Okay, then it sounds like I did give an accurate answer to OP's question (which was about workstations, not laptops) :) I've used different setups over the years, but my workstation has always been Linux. Currently running gLinux on the workstation and cloudtop. My current laptop is running ChromeOS (I'm a ChromeOS swe).

YPPH 4y ago

I was certainly under the impression you got the choice, thanks for confirming that applies generally.

p_l 4y ago
You get a choice for the laptop, but unless your work touches any other platform its going to be done on Linux workstation (or remoting to one), iirc

endtime 4y ago

Are you sure you're talking about workstation and not laptop? What you're saying sounds true for laptops, but I was at Google for 10 years on a variety of teams and I was only ever aware of Linux workstations unless one has a specific need for a different OS. (Or you could get a Chromebox at one point, but then you'd be SSHing to and building on a VM.)