3 ms·

Netbooks aren't dead, they're just called Chromebooks now

by kylec 4mo ago

alterom 4mo ago
Chromebooks aren't netbooks. They're Android tablets with non-removable keyboards. The idea of a netbook was very small, cheap, portable, full-featured computer that you could use like a normal computer. All the ports, your desktop OS, and so on. Chromebooks ain't it, even if they compete in the market segment that made netbooks a success.
- singpolyma3 4mo ago
  I run my desktop OS on my Chromebook (boring Debian) and use it like a normal computer. All the ports (HDMI, usb) and so.
  - queenkjuul 4mo ago
    Back when Chromebooks and Netbooks were contemporaries, yours was a much harder proposition. I had an awful time getting Linux on my first gen Chromebook
    - singpolyma3 4mo ago
      I've heard that on the new ones they've illegally made it not possible anymore, but haven't experienced direct evidence of that yet. For mine I had to remove a screw from the motherboard but it wasn't that difficult. Not much worse than jumper for boot order in ye olde days
      - fragmede 4mo ago
        The new procedure is boot without the battery connected to enable writing to flash.
        singpolyma3 4mo ago
        If they're still allowing that it seems fine
      - queenkjuul 4mo ago
        My suggestion? If you want a Chromebook to run Linux, look for surplus school laptops instead. My throwaround workshop laptop is an Asus that to me looks like it was clearly sold in an educational Chromebook format as well--partially ruggedized, partially waterproof, 12", N100, plastic blank where the camera should be, still only $120 Basically, if you're lucky, you can find Chromebook-class PCs with less restrictions. Admittedly I'm in a lucky locale for such things, but the one in question i bought from a normal retailer
- ajross 4mo ago
  That sounds like an opinion baked in 2013 and never revisited. A modern chromebook with Crostini can run basically any Linux desktop stack you want. Like, what exactly are the tasks you need from a "computer that you could use like a normal computer" that you aren't getting today? As a data point: I'm 100% converted personally. A Chromebook is what goes into my backpack and the device I use for all my general day-to-day UI clickery, and it's a better fit for my needs than Windows (not nearly as bad as it used to be but still sort of a PITA to make work as a Linux-focused dev environment) or Linux (not nearly as much of a PITA for a connected consumer network device but still has the occasional wart trying to get something weird to run).
  - alterom 4mo ago
    > A modern chromebook with Crostini can run basically any Linux desktop stack you want. Like, what exactly are the tasks you need from a "computer that you could use like a normal computer" that you aren't getting today? Run Windows and Windows programs that I use. > it's a better fit for my needs than Windows Happy for you. The key here is your needs.
    - ajross 4mo ago
      > The key here is your needs. Well... yeah. Likewise your post is clearly about your needs, which are different. But that's not what you said, you said it "wasn't a computer" and you couldn't use it "like a normal computer". Which is obviously wrong. But I guess "normal computer" means "windows" to you, which (especially given the forum you posted on!) is a little surprising. So what you wrote (but apparently not meant) seemed mistaken to me, thus the correction. But if you want windows then just buy windows. Your market is well served.
      - alterom 4mo ago
        >But I guess "normal computer" means "windows" to you Normal computer means a choice of OS to run on it without having to hack it to do that job. Chromebooks aren't sold as general-purpose computing devices. They aren't "normal computers" in the same sense that cell phones aren't. >which (especially given the forum you posted on!) is a little surprising. I'm a CAD developer and user. I need Windows for my work. I would hope that this forum includes people who are in touch with the real world.
- Groxx 4mo ago
  So replace the OS: https://docs.mrchromebox.tech/ https://docs.mrchromebox.tech/ I've done that with mine. Worked great, and now I get around 30 hours of battery life with a lean linux distro, as long as I'm only like reading websites or writing on it.
  - dtkav 4mo ago
    I have a matte black Pixelbook Go running PopOS and i love it. The hardware feels great to hold (though the touchpad is still meh). I covered the Google logos with a glossy black vinyl Obsidian sticker. https://notes.danielgk.com/Hardware/Travel+Laptop https://notes.danielgk.com/Hardware/Travel+Laptop
  - alterom 4mo ago
    >So replace the OS: https://docs.mrchromebox.tech/ https://docs.mrchromebox.tech/ How's the Windows support with this flow?
    - fragmede 4mo ago
      Which windows program are you looking for, specifically?
      - alterom 4mo ago
        >Which windows program are you looking for, specifically? All of them, specifically. I don't want to think about which windows program can or can't run with Wine. This includes: * Microsoft software, from MSTeams to Windows itself * Audio production software (DAWs and VST plug-ins) * Games * Device-specific software (like drivers/software for portable thermal printers) * CAD (nTop, only supports Windows, for example, and don't tell me I don't need it; same for many Autodesk products. NX and Rhino don't have Linux support) The last one is the most fun, as I'm a CAD developer who worked on nTop in particular.
        Dylan16807 4mo ago
        I'm surprised you want to run real CAD software on a netbook. I think your use case is pretty unusual. Also drivers are often better on Linux.

Netbooks aren't dead, they're just called Chromebooks now

by kylec 4mo ago

Netbooks aren't dead, they're just called Chromebooks now

Chromebooks aren't netbooks. They're Android tablets with non-removable keyboards. The idea of a netbook was very small, cheap, portable, full-featured computer that you could use like a normal computer. All the ports, your desktop OS, and so on. Chromebooks ain't it, even if they compete in the market segment that made netbooks a success.

singpolyma3 4mo ago
I run my desktop OS on my Chromebook (boring Debian) and use it like a normal computer. All the ports (HDMI, usb) and so.
- queenkjuul 4mo ago
  Back when Chromebooks and Netbooks were contemporaries, yours was a much harder proposition. I had an awful time getting Linux on my first gen Chromebook
  - singpolyma3 4mo ago
    I've heard that on the new ones they've illegally made it not possible anymore, but haven't experienced direct evidence of that yet. For mine I had to remove a screw from the motherboard but it wasn't that difficult. Not much worse than jumper for boot order in ye olde days
    - fragmede 4mo ago
      The new procedure is boot without the battery connected to enable writing to flash.
      - singpolyma3 4mo ago
        If they're still allowing that it seems fine
    - queenkjuul 4mo ago
      My suggestion? If you want a Chromebook to run Linux, look for surplus school laptops instead. My throwaround workshop laptop is an Asus that to me looks like it was clearly sold in an educational Chromebook format as well--partially ruggedized, partially waterproof, 12", N100, plastic blank where the camera should be, still only $120 Basically, if you're lucky, you can find Chromebook-class PCs with less restrictions. Admittedly I'm in a lucky locale for such things, but the one in question i bought from a normal retailer
ajross 4mo ago
That sounds like an opinion baked in 2013 and never revisited. A modern chromebook with Crostini can run basically any Linux desktop stack you want. Like, what exactly are the tasks you need from a "computer that you could use like a normal computer" that you aren't getting today? As a data point: I'm 100% converted personally. A Chromebook is what goes into my backpack and the device I use for all my general day-to-day UI clickery, and it's a better fit for my needs than Windows (not nearly as bad as it used to be but still sort of a PITA to make work as a Linux-focused dev environment) or Linux (not nearly as much of a PITA for a connected consumer network device but still has the occasional wart trying to get something weird to run).
- alterom 4mo ago
  > A modern chromebook with Crostini can run basically any Linux desktop stack you want. Like, what exactly are the tasks you need from a "computer that you could use like a normal computer" that you aren't getting today? Run Windows and Windows programs that I use. > it's a better fit for my needs than Windows Happy for you. The key here is your needs.
  - ajross 4mo ago
    > The key here is your needs. Well... yeah. Likewise your post is clearly about your needs, which are different. But that's not what you said, you said it "wasn't a computer" and you couldn't use it "like a normal computer". Which is obviously wrong. But I guess "normal computer" means "windows" to you, which (especially given the forum you posted on!) is a little surprising. So what you wrote (but apparently not meant) seemed mistaken to me, thus the correction. But if you want windows then just buy windows. Your market is well served.
    - alterom 4mo ago
      >But I guess "normal computer" means "windows" to you Normal computer means a choice of OS to run on it without having to hack it to do that job. Chromebooks aren't sold as general-purpose computing devices. They aren't "normal computers" in the same sense that cell phones aren't. >which (especially given the forum you posted on!) is a little surprising. I'm a CAD developer and user. I need Windows for my work. I would hope that this forum includes people who are in touch with the real world.
Groxx 4mo ago
So replace the OS: https://docs.mrchromebox.tech/ https://docs.mrchromebox.tech/ I've done that with mine. Worked great, and now I get around 30 hours of battery life with a lean linux distro, as long as I'm only like reading websites or writing on it.
- dtkav 4mo ago
  I have a matte black Pixelbook Go running PopOS and i love it. The hardware feels great to hold (though the touchpad is still meh). I covered the Google logos with a glossy black vinyl Obsidian sticker. https://notes.danielgk.com/Hardware/Travel+Laptop https://notes.danielgk.com/Hardware/Travel+Laptop
- alterom 4mo ago
  >So replace the OS: https://docs.mrchromebox.tech/ https://docs.mrchromebox.tech/ How's the Windows support with this flow?
  - fragmede 4mo ago
    Which windows program are you looking for, specifically?
    - alterom 4mo ago
      >Which windows program are you looking for, specifically? All of them, specifically. I don't want to think about which windows program can or can't run with Wine. This includes: * Microsoft software, from MSTeams to Windows itself * Audio production software (DAWs and VST plug-ins) * Games * Device-specific software (like drivers/software for portable thermal printers) * CAD (nTop, only supports Windows, for example, and don't tell me I don't need it; same for many Autodesk products. NX and Rhino don't have Linux support) The last one is the most fun, as I'm a CAD developer who worked on nTop in particular.
      - Dylan16807 4mo ago
        I'm surprised you want to run real CAD software on a netbook. I think your use case is pretty unusual. Also drivers are often better on Linux.