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I'm curious, why? I can completely understand an "iPad Pro" version of a Chromebook. Something that is an incredible version of a limited device. But I'm strug

I'm curious, why? I can completely understand an "iPad Pro" version of a Chromebook. Something that is an incredible version of a limited device. But I'm struggling to think what a 64gb of RAM with a GPU Chromebook could do that the current ones can't do? If it's run Linux, why not just get a Linux laptop?

hot_gril 2y ago
Chromebook means hardware + software are packaged, which means someone is making sure they work properly together. That's the biggest differentiator. You can maybe get this with some Linux laptops, idk. The Thinkpads we have at work that "support" Linux have known Bluetooth issues; if I ever have trouble hearing someone in a remote meeting, it's someone with a Thinkpad.
- doe_eyes 2y ago
  Lenovo Thinkpads have traditionally been a pretty safe choice for Linux, probably because they're popular with Linux devs. Pretty sure what's what Google buys for their corporate Linux laptops too. If you buy something like a Dell, you might encounter more rough edges, although it's generally not as bad as it used to be 1-2 decades ago.
  - hot_gril 2y ago
    I thought about Thinkpads just before you replied and edited to mention the issues I've seen with them. Yes you're right, Google buys them, and they have minor problems, but I've never owned one personally.
- leetharris 2y ago
  Yeah absolutely. But at that point, why not get a Macbook or a Surface?
  - nolist_policy 2y ago
    Because I want Linux.
  - hot_gril 2y ago
    MacBook is what I've got, but if you specifically need lots of RAM and/or a dedicated GPU, that disqualifies it. 64GB RAM isn't even an option in the $3000 model. Also, maybe you want to run Linux for whatever reason, without experimenting with Asahi. Apple Silicon chips are awesome, but this is the downside. And Surface runs Windows. Gonna plead the fifth on that.
hollerith 2y ago
ChromeOS is more secure than any Linux distro for web browsing and other "user-facing" roles. (Qubes is close, but does not verify the whole stack against hashes stored in a secure enclave on every boot. Also, Qubes has a much lower bus factor.)
malkia 2y ago
I don't want to deal with maintaining a pure Linux laptop, and I don't want to be limited by OSX/Windows (for different reasons). Chromebook, by far, is the easiest to get good amount of linux for development without much issues ... with some limitations. It also works with docker/podman for the cases I care, so was simply looking for upgrade of my great (and still used to this day) Chromebook Eve (16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) - I really only wish it was bit faster, bit more memory, and I can still live really with 512GB SSD if I have to. Maybe Vulkan support through Linux (only HW accelerated OpenGL GLES works right now for me)
- tapoxi 2y ago
  Fedora Atomic?
- jeroenhd 2y ago
  You'll need to check for compatibility, but ChromeOS Flex should work on many laptops that would otherwise come with Windows. It runs terribly inside a VM, though, so it's hard to try out before installing, but if you have a leftover SSD laying around you could try swapping the storage and installing it on whatever laptop you use now.

hot_gril 2y ago

Chromebook means hardware + software are packaged, which means someone is making sure they work properly together. That's the biggest differentiator. You can maybe get this with some Linux laptops, idk. The Thinkpads we have at work that "support" Linux have known Bluetooth issues; if I ever have trouble hearing someone in a remote meeting, it's someone with a Thinkpad.

doe_eyes 2y ago
Lenovo Thinkpads have traditionally been a pretty safe choice for Linux, probably because they're popular with Linux devs. Pretty sure what's what Google buys for their corporate Linux laptops too. If you buy something like a Dell, you might encounter more rough edges, although it's generally not as bad as it used to be 1-2 decades ago.
- hot_gril 2y ago
  I thought about Thinkpads just before you replied and edited to mention the issues I've seen with them. Yes you're right, Google buys them, and they have minor problems, but I've never owned one personally.
leetharris 2y ago
Yeah absolutely. But at that point, why not get a Macbook or a Surface?
- nolist_policy 2y ago
  Because I want Linux.
- hot_gril 2y ago
  MacBook is what I've got, but if you specifically need lots of RAM and/or a dedicated GPU, that disqualifies it. 64GB RAM isn't even an option in the $3000 model. Also, maybe you want to run Linux for whatever reason, without experimenting with Asahi. Apple Silicon chips are awesome, but this is the downside. And Surface runs Windows. Gonna plead the fifth on that.

hollerith 2y ago

ChromeOS is more secure than any Linux distro for web browsing and other "user-facing" roles. (Qubes is close, but does not verify the whole stack against hashes stored in a secure enclave on every boot. Also, Qubes has a much lower bus factor.)

malkia 2y ago

I don't want to deal with maintaining a pure Linux laptop, and I don't want to be limited by OSX/Windows (for different reasons). Chromebook, by far, is the easiest to get good amount of linux for development without much issues ... with some limitations. It also works with docker/podman for the cases I care, so was simply looking for upgrade of my great (and still used to this day) Chromebook Eve (16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) - I really only wish it was bit faster, bit more memory, and I can still live really with 512GB SSD if I have to. Maybe Vulkan support through Linux (only HW accelerated OpenGL GLES works right now for me)

tapoxi 2y ago
Fedora Atomic?
jeroenhd 2y ago
You'll need to check for compatibility, but ChromeOS Flex should work on many laptops that would otherwise come with Windows. It runs terribly inside a VM, though, so it's hard to try out before installing, but if you have a leftover SSD laying around you could try swapping the storage and installing it on whatever laptop you use now.