Chrome OS Videos: - Using Chromebrew to install any Application: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-a2L-_MnGGDA.html - Integrate Arch Linux inside ChromeOS: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-I6sAvwHgYwQ.html Couple Addendums based on comments: - Model of Laptop used: Thinkpad Yoga C13 - Ryzen 3700C w/ 16GB - The major downside is privacy as everything based around Chrome Browser - The major upside is the new virtualization that Google is doing (You can sandbox certain apps like Linux desktop apps) - TLDW; It is an extremely polished system with great battery life and tight integration with the hardware and you can expand it to include Linux apps to get a LOT more out of your Chromebook than the stock configuration.
How is the steam performance? Supposedly Google and valve have been working on an official chrome os release. I wouldn't be surprised if that ended up being a container running the same new steam os that the steam deck will run.
@@emblemi6345 I am pretty sure that chrome os vms(android, Linux, steam, etc) are more custom made and streamlined than what you would get from just kvm + lxc. A lot of effort has gone into running things in vms while still being fast instead of using containers.
That's good to know. It seemed like Chrome OS became a much better operating system last year but for some reason it wasn't translating well to consumers. Google's ads made it look really awesome and manufacturers announced a lot of new devices so hopefully it catches on quickly. Google's Assistant makes it seem like a really fun experience as well.
Here's the thing. I love the hardware of the chromebook. It's cheap, it's light and it has a humongous battery life. However, ChromeOS itself is not really suitable for most of what I do. Thankfully, as long as you have an intel based device, it's fairly trivial to replace ChromeOS with a linux distro. At that point you get the best of both worlds.
Honestly at this rate might as well just make laptops dedicated to using linux.... but the eternal normie demands it either must run windows or toilet paper sub android system sigh.
@@CantoniaCustoms :-) I indulged in a pinetab a few months ago when I started my new job. I think I might actually like it better than my old Acer C740 running linux. And one of my close friends daily drives a system76 machine and is having a really good experience so far. There are a couple of solid options these days, but unfortunately I don't think desktop linux will ever be a mass market thing (which is actually better for the weirdos like me who appreciate linux in its current form).
Good overview. I totally agree, I'd had a preconceived view that ChromeOS was a lightweight, simple OS. When I began to use it however, I quickly realized the depth, sophistication and functionality.
4 years ago I bought a discount Acer Chromebook. I was doing serious programming in it using the Linux subsystem with Clang, Vim, Tmux and other comm and line tools. It was a beautiful experience.
Until you actually try to use it long term and find all the issues that come with it. Let's not even talk about the arbitrary way Google stops sending updates, and how both Android apps and Linux support feel like/are like beta software on most Chromebooks.
You're incorrect with respect to your assertion that Google arbitrarily stopping updates. On the contrary, Google very clearly defines support length at 8.5 years minimum from the Chromebooks manufacture date, regardless of the retail price paid. Quite simply, chromebooks are the best price to performance laptops you can buy. Furthermore, if you've ever used a chrome book, you'd know that it's absurdly easy to find the Auto Update Expiration date for every Chromebook on the market; it's easily found within the settings menu>"about Chrome OS "> " additional details ". The end of support date will be clearly listed under " update schedule.". Google does a far better job of transparency regarding software support than Microsoft and especially Apple. No offense but your bias and lack of basic knowledge with respect to Chrome OS is on full display here.
Chrome os works great for me! I installed it on my laptop after windows started giving me issues, and I’m extremely happy with it, it’s not even meant to be on my computer but yet it still works great!
Chris, nice video on showing how to get the most out of an OS that to mostly walled-in for many. I may not like and use ChromeOS, and think Google is the worst. I just like learning about new tech and better ways to use it.
@@joim3480 chrome can run faster with 4gb of ram than some windows machines can with 16gb. Plus some people literally just need a browser and Google suite for writing documents etc. For those people windows just adds unnecessary bulk and programmes and slows it all down
@Dhfa 10 okay but who would decide to use a 13 year old OS over something new, everything is literally dropping support for it. He’s talking about simplicity and you’re talking about tweaking an old OS.
This is why I would make an idea of a debian/Ubuntu/mint based linux is which has Windows and Android compatibility that is easily adaptable and optimal for other types of smart computer like devices like phones, tablets, TVs, watches, console, high end PCs and low end PCs. "Yes Chromebooks are a type of PC in my personal opinion."
I installed Ubuntu and ran it alongside Chrome OS even when they didn't explicitly support it. Mind you this was on an Acer Chromebook with a Celeron processor. Suprisingly enough I was able to install Steam and I used to play truck simulator on there and other indie games. This was back in sixth grade. Seeing that chrome os interface brings some serious memories back
I have been using Chrome OS for a decade now and I would NEVER go back to Microsoft. You need to approach it with an open mind and soon you will be saying the same.
@@ethanbroussard yes I use Linux. But sometimes I also prefer companies because they have money to promote and make it available for more people. Anyhow, competition don't have to only include Linux, there can be many. Many people feel Linux as intimidating.
@@ravitejaknts yeah but really the beginner friendly distributions arent all that intimidating, and of course companies are going to have money to promote their product but it doesn't make it have any less spyware. And I just think linux is better competition to big companies than chrome os considering it's not made/maintained by a big company
Thank you Chris, this comes at a great time. Recently closed the lid on an old Toshiba Chromebook that was about two years behind on updates - due to end of life update coverage. Just bought an ASUS C536EA with an 11th gen i3 and 8GB memory. 15.6" HD screen. This is my all-day-long lap mate as I read online articles, answer email, other misc tasks and have it linked with my Pixel 4a which brings SMS messages right to my on-screen notifications, which I can then reply etc directly from the Chromebook. Love it. Updates through 2028 or 2029 I believe, which at my age of 71 suits me fine. I'm looking forward very much to your upcoming video on activating Linux/installing a different distro. Would you be so kind as to discuss which distros would be suitable? Do I need to stick with a "Lite" version - or can I head for latest POP! OS (or similar) and give it a try? Currently using Mint as my desktop daily driver - and figure I can set this Chromebook up for having a great time learning more about different distros. Thanks in advance for holding my hand...!
I have a ChromeBook I bought back in 2013, I slapped Debian onto it and flashed the bios and it's still my daily portable laptop I use. I'm looking to replace it soon as it's showing it's age.
@@ravitejaknts Google has used Linux to kill the possibility of Linux alternatives. So be open minded and realize that Google is using Linux against Linux. Obviously if you support that, then it's another story. Linux phones were killed by Android, and cheap Linux laptops were killed by ChromeOS. That's the problem with the license. Don't know if GPLv3 would have changed that. The irony is that Linux mostly really benefits the large multibillion dollar companies, and the original goal of desktop Linux is where things are the worst. Large companies making money out of Linux wouldn't be a problem at all, but when they do it to compete against the spread of Linux for the end user, then there's a huge problem.
@@pendopendo7166 It's pretty much impossible to change the licensing anymore. That was the excuse already back in the day of GPLv3 debate, but then it really would have been possible. I just think Linus and perhaps some others had too much hubris and wanted Linux to become as popular as possible without caring on what could happen. Richard Stallman has been right from the start, for most of the things. Even though it pisses me off that he in many ways is not the great leader of free as in freedom software. Linux foundation is pretty much completely taken by the billion and trillion dollar companies. So I guess changing anything against their interest is kind of impossible.
@@juzujuzu4555 In simple terms Linux means openness which can be use by any company. Google has followed the rules and created a well-rounded Linux based distribution name Chrome OS. Chrome OS is introducing the Linux to the average Joes with the help of Chrome OS.
I have Google Chrome Flex installed on a old Dell OptiPlex 3020 with a 34" Dell Monitor. Awesome simplicity for anybody just needs to do productivity online and not just play computers. Totally recommended for senior citizens or anybody technology challenged.
As a secondary school student, it's amazing for me, it allows me to do stuff quickly and juss get stuff done, and its got good battery, is snappy and is affordable
@@gordoncunliffe8038 nice what are the specs on it I think I saw it . I just got the acer chromebook 315 15.6 fhd touchscreen with the n4000 , 4 gb ram and 64gn storage .
@@gordoncunliffe8038 nice I'm trying to look into getting a chromebook with a higher processor and better specs but so far this chromebook is fast and I was surprised with the speaker's
@@theplaymakerno1 some no-sound problem and even hdmi incompatibility, that's what you get with some Linux distro ( sometimes not always but that's what happens to me, and i love linux but in the end even i succumb to the dark side of chrome os xd)
@@Nsfwstar I had a no sound problem in Windows 10 as well as in Linux. The thing in Linux is, is that a person can fix them. In Windows, it is almost impossible.
@@Nsfwstar There are some motherboards that have very good Linux and Windows support. On one of my computers at work, Windows was simply not detecting headphones, whereas Linux was.
Chromeos is great! I have a 2017 surface pro which boasts a 2 core i5 7300u. WIndows was just horrible on this device. I installed brunch os and bam, it breathed new life into this device. I could now use my surface pro as a proper android tablet. Not only that but I was also able to set up arch linux in crostini which allowed me to be productive with this device. I've been running this system for a while now, and everything is working perfectly, besides the hardware limits ofcourse.
My main problem with ChromeOS is that Visual Studio Code looks blurred when I connect my Chromebook to my 27" 4k screen. So I can't use it for my dev work at all. This problem with hidpi scaling has been known for years and apparently it's not easy to redeem. It's a shame, since otherwise I like this lean system.
I dumped (threw my Windows laptop across the room) during a stupidly long update some years ago. I bought a Samsung tablet with keyboard case to replace it, and it worked. My new work required something a little more complex so I gave a Chromebook a try - OMG!!!! It's quick, easy, smooth, and a cheap machine will do what a range Windows machine struggles with. I now have 2 Chromebooks - one with a dual screen set up for home, and a very cheap Samsung Chromebook 2 for out and about. I can't see me going back to Windows.
I liked the video but you should do a follow up of this video or maybe never have posted it. How many things did you say about chrome os that had 0 to do with Linux? I daily drive a Chromebook. I am a developer. I chose this OS for it's speed, simplicity and the fact that I have access to 3 (stock Linux too) operating systems to get most of everything I need done. I appreciate the effort however, this video became a video about a singular feature of chrome os. It would've been great to hear about the productivity features of chrome os like the tote or connected devices, quick and frequent updates, quick reboots, etc. I love the Linux features too. I literally wouldn't have switched to the OS without that one feature BUT I've learned from switching that chrome os is so much more than one feature.
My partner bought a nice £500 (about $700) Chromebook with a 1080p IPS touchscreen and I have to say it is one of the best purchases I've seen. Running on an Intel m3 the battery life is phenomenal (around 14 hours continuous) and she runs a virtualised Windows 10 via Citrix for her work. It works absolutely perfectly and there is zero maintenance. Like none. Even on Mac you have to clear temp files etc, and we all know what a pain a Windows machine is to keep at optimum. This machine however just works all the time. Android apps work fine too. If all you need is a basic machine I can't recommend one enough..
@@JonnyInfinite Oh okay! I'll have to look that one up! I know allot of people have been raving about the acer chromebook spin 713 that's in the same price range. Apparently it's the bees knees! I recently just bought the Asus CX5400 with an i7, 16gb of RAM and 512gb of ssd storage. This thing is a workhorse powerhouse! 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
@@JonnyInfinite You would think so, but the powerful resources mixed with the capabilities of ChromeOS equals pure productivity. It's also got the irs xe graphics on the inside. So, I can play some light steam games as well. Just like with Android, you can find a functional phone at 200$ but, if you want a more premium experience, you have to spend the extra bucks. I wanted a more premium experience with ChromeOS So, I spent the bucks and I must say that I have no regrets.
Is there a way (without an enterprise MDM toolset) to script installs/or remotely deploy to chrome books for common applications, a linux subsystem, security settings etc. I'd like a student to be able to buy (nearly) any chrome book connect to a portal and get the same look and feel as his peers.
The one thing I loved about chrome OS is I got my laptop stolen a few months back when out to the shops bought another one logged in and basically kept going with out a hitch and there cheap but still nice enough that they don't look like a 200 dollar windows POS 🙂
That's why I love my Google ecosystem, everything is there whenever I need it, no uploading to one drive or a USB. Plus a lot more functionality is becoming available through browsers, stadia, Photoshop etc. Definitely going to replace the PC for many
I was looking for one device for the kids that could run Microsoft apps, Android apps, has a fully fledged browser, can be used as a tablet. I bought two Lenovo Duo chromebooks which not only checked all the boxes, but I also spent £500 for both!
I recently got my hands on a Pixelbook Go. Damn is it and Chrome OS a joy to use. It boots in about 5 or 6 seconds and can outlast the energizer bunny.
@@Mbeluba Yes, I let them have access to the data I am okay with them having. What would you suggest as an alternative that is fast, lightweight and can give me 14 hours on a single charge? I'm open to suggestions of course.
Sounds good, BUT when I got my Asus Chromebook, it EXPIRED for support and updates :( I did not realize they have an expiry date, and so now what? Liked it initially, but its a no go for me when it reached endo of life, and cannot load Linux on it as a replacement? Thanks again and all the BEST! Cheers!
@1:28 and that's why it's "un-appreciated". Google has made it impossible to appreciate, and super easy to hate. with a *passion.* I've heard enough at this point. I'm out.
I love MacBooks and OSX....that said I also have a cheap little Acer flip Chromebook and I found myself using it more and more due to it's simplicity and lack of worrying about using it or losing it. It also restarted an interest in Linux for me so may buy a cheap refurb laptop soon to start messing with different distros again.
I don't understand what the purpose of running it in a VM is. Chrome OS is already GNU/Linux, why not just install the necessary dependencies on the host (like GTK and CLI utils) and run programs on bare metal?
Thank you. I fucking loved my Duet for it's on-the-go linux support while being extremely battery efficient and excellent media consumption device. Now, I'm upgrading to HP Chromebook x2 11 - again a media consumption device first, but it's very comforting to know that we can use a full Linux environment on it if needed and I sometimes very much appreciate that quality.
Dude. It's google. They embed their stuff into everything. I don't want them spying on me. When my copy of Windows expires, I'm definitely going to install Zorin OS. So excited about that one.
This is one of the few positive reviews I have seen on Chrome OS. Most people keep telling me that Chrome OS, and Google, are just as intrusive as Windows and Micro Soft are.
Well anything by google is stealing your data and is intrusive. But anything except from strait Linux does that to various extents. Basically pick your poison.
I'd like to see an update maybe a year later if you still like ChromeOS and what's going on with it. It's nice to get an unbiased opinion unlike some other channels.
I just got a chromebook last week (Samsung Chromebook 4) for 100 bucks. managed to get a 64gb sd card usable as an ext4 storage so I can store my MariaDB databases, docker images, and coding projects w/dependencies with very big-sized files (i.e. flutter, nodeJS) there, because the internal storage is very small (32gb) and half of it is already used by ChromeOS' system I tried coding python, golang, PHP, and typescript (svelte framework) in microsoft-branded vscode, and so far so good. I have not run into any issues. Battery life is very great, even if I load the penguin terminal (crostini), code stuff, and listen to music on youtube, the battery drains really slow and lasts very long Probably the best purchase I've ever made this year. A great piece of hardware. I still have a computer with EndeavourOS installed but I rarely ever use it anymore, only for projects that needs very fast compile time or very demanding on resource like JVM based apps or if I want some little gaming, because I realized my desktop PC takes a lot of electricity even for light usag low-powered hardware + software is the future
I wasted 10+ minutes per day on daily reboots and weekly updates with my windows 10 laptop. Bought a chromebook book and never have to reboot. It never freezes or crashes. 99% of my work is web based.
Never had a computer/laptop ever freeze on me or crash/restart automatically unless I’ve either pushed overclocking or there was something installed in the computer that probably shouldn’t be there in the first place... Also, for windows, you could disable updates anyways. A budget $250 computer of mine boots up in 10 seconds on windows and less on Linux.. The reason a chromebook boots fast (despite being mainly very cheap/weak parts that are overpriced..) is because it’s LITERALLY a web browser OS (which is very easy to run..) and you get most applications from a store that’s already been pre-installed in the OS where there isn’t anything questionable software that would eventually restart or crash the system.. For one that can be a nice thing for people because you won’t have to deal with what’s a “dangerous” download or not, but for another, it’s a store that limits your options on what you can do with your underpowered school book that collects unnecessary data on you for 3rd party buyers.. Really in SOME cases a chromebook is handy like in this video, but you could do so much more with a similar price with a standard computer/laptop than something owned by Google and even Microsoft... Just my two cents.
It's way better than windows for me, I got tired of having to install updates every other time I used my computer, I don't even use 90% of the applications on windows it's just bloatware
Awesome video. As someone who uses Chrome OS as his daily driver, definitely appreciate other people recognizing its appeal and power. Definitely check out the Acer 514 Spin if you're looking for a great physical body. :) Dev channel FTW
This is what Linux distros need. Proper desktop shortcuts (I have been using Linux for like half a year and they are pretty hard to make) that can be easily made from file managers, and possibly prompted to make when installing an app from package managers. Also, I literally had to Google "how to make new file in Gnome" because of how hard it is. You have to use the terminal (my way, as it takes some time to open gedit) or gedit. Also, Wine integration with proper desktop shortcuts and everything would be really cool.
On the newer versions of gnome desktop icons are just two clicks away or drag and drop, and not all Linux distros even use gnome, KDE plasma is also popular
@@BiscuitBobby using gnome rn, desktop shortcuts are still behind an extension that doesn't seem to show the right icons for most shortcuts. The "new file" thingie is kind of different than I thought, you can apparently make templates for it which is cool and enables the frature. No templates exist out of the box though, so no newbie will find that feature.
@@BiscuitBobby 42, I'm not on it right now so I don't know the exact version. I'm using Fedora 36 and always keep up to date. It's not like I need desktop icons, but creating application menu icons could be a lot easier.
If you need to install a different Linux on it to make it better, why not just install Linux on its own, it can do the same as ChromeOS but better. Saying a system is good when you need to replace stuff in it to make it good does not mean it is good, it means the thing you replaced it with is good.
It feels you are not understanding Chris' side / the point of this video and/or ChromeOS as a whole. Chris did not install Arch because the rest was bad. It was because it didn't do what he wanted to do with it. I am kind of new to his channel, but been watching a bunch of videos and his knowledge and passion shows through on every video. What I mean is, it doesn't take long to know that if there's a new toy in town and if he gets it, he'll try to do things regular people wouldn't do. Only people like Chris would be thinking "can I do THIS on a chromebook?" and try to do it. He clearly says "By the end I will probably fully install Linux on it and get rid of C-OS". Did you even watch the video? Chris' main point about Chrome OS was that as a whole and overall experience was very simple, to the point and very polished and integrated with pretty much everything was doing. And the appreciation he was giving was the fact that he could do what he did (install different things) with ease, or at least not spending a lot of time doing it. The way I understood it was something like "Under the hood ChromeOS is quite powerful, look what I / it can do!". And he was showcasing that, how everything was, for the most part, well done. Chrome OS is good, just because it doesn't do everything good or doesn't do the things you want it to do that are kind of outside of the intended use, doesn't mean it's bad. All OSs are bad in some way shape or form, depending on who you ask and for what. Linux is not an exception.
@@LautaroQ2812 Did I ask? and idk if you fully read my comment. So I repeat: Installing something extra to somthing to make it good does not make the original thing good, it makes the addon good.
It's great to see videos like this. I switched from Windows to Chrome OS back in 2017 and I haven't once missed Windows. Chrome OS, in my opinion, is just as good as Windows and there are good arguments to be made that Chrome OS is actually better than Windows.
As much as I like the look of this os how much info does it send back to goole about you? Google have serious privacy issues. As much as I love android my next phone is going to be a Linux phone.
I just ordered a Asus Chromebook c433 as I’m noticing a real budget laptop doesn’t excise anymore like it did 8 years ago when 450 CAD bought a great real PC budget laptop. This is just the industry tricking us too expect less accept it like it’s better for us and a price increase. But it is out of our control so roll with it or be a square 🤪 Great video 👍
It's Linux support that is cool but so many Linux distros you can download like Unbuntu etc, I would argue they are a lot better than Chrome OS. Downside with chrome OS is that it has an end of life on updates. I ditched windows 4 years ago and it was the best thing I did, got a chromebook and it really is a great experience for the average person and then when you add on Linux enviroment it does make it more attractive. My chromebook stops getting updates June 2022 and I am not happy, my options are spending ages taking off write protection to put cloud ready on which would be limiting or an easier option would be to put a Linux distros and then be able to have steam etc.
I had an ASUS flipbook, with ChromeOS, and honestly, I didn't have any problems. I did have to get used to doing some things differently. But it booted up almost instantly, and for my use, surfing the internet, making presentations for my lectures, editing text, it did excellent.
It's Gentoo and I don't like it. I don't like Google Chrome because I always use Firefox. I haaaaate Google. So no Chrome OS ist just not for me and not for many that wan't to live a degoogled life. Also, I hate the Android-style. Gnome or Plasma just look much more gorgeous. For me, it's just a perhaps more sophisticated integration of Linux in another os I don't really need or want. For Windows there is atleast the legacy argument for programs that just don't work on Linux but this is just no enrichment to just install Archlinux or whatever other Linux flavour you want (and perhaps Anbox for the Android crap). Also I don't quite get your argument that the containered stuff is great for low-end hardware because there every bit of performance counts on such machines and you can just optimize much more on Linux than on Chrome OS and don't have the performance overhead introduced by containerizing.
While I love Chrome OS I respect people who don't like google. Now what would be cool is if somebody could build a "Chrome OS" but revolve it around something like Firefox or gnome web would be a cool video to watch.
Honestly if my job didn't need Excel, Chromebooks would satisfy 95% of our needs. We spend $1600+ on laptops when most of us just work off cloud applications like Netsuite, and Salesforce.
I use to love my chrome OS laptop. But I'm trying to divest from Google slowly and diversity my basket so to speak, but I thought about getting one to do my RU-vid channel stuff from. Lives, comments and such.
All those tracking complaints put aside, no better than with Windows anyway, I really like chromeOS. But you'd need to spend quite a lot for a chromebook to get good performance. Wish Adobe was supported though. Possibly in the future, if they wanna go more mainstream.
Yeah...its easy to get awwed when you just use ChomeOS for couple of days. You get surprised with how much potential it has, with android and Linux apps. But when you daily drive and use Linux apps on Chrome OS, it seems hacky. I tried same. Woah! it opened in 7 seconds and thats it. I am using plain Linux with disabilities.
But it is linux that the less technical can use. Its lightweight and requires nothing on the users part to maintain it. I'm still a part time user after many years and it fits in a good place of light usage. Granted I also have 2 linux systems I do use as well, but I couldn't necessarily hand something like Arch Linux over to a novice.
Chrome os have a lot of nice web apps, a nice web store, is compatible with Google play store apps, and have official flatpak support, of course is a nice os xd
By the way on chrome os at least for now, if you want to play modern games like grime, cyberpunk or even assasin creed valhalla , you have to choose between all the cloud gaming service like: stadia, geforce now, xcloud(xbox cloud gaming), boosteroid etc.. Any of these are good options.
My only problem is if you sync it to your Google account then you have to update frequently or else your apps on your account literally disappear until you update.
If you want to do more than the basics a Linux OS makes more sense although the new Plus requirements might change that. I love my Acer Chromebook for reading!
I really do not see the market for these high end ChromeOS devices. I feel the takeaway here is yeah, it's cool... But your not allowed to wipe chromeos off it if you desire... And most people who have a chromebook DO NOT have one of these luxury chromebooks with real hardware inside. They have a pentium without any L3 cache... Or worse yet a celeron with cut down L2 to the Pentium. So when they replace they end up wanting a PC they can wipe with linux or dual boot... I don't see the market..
Same here. Chrome OS main benefit is that its cheap vs Windows etc. So for a low end device Chrome OS makes sense. But once you reach the higher spec market, it makes no sense to buy Chrome OS. You might as well (for the same price), buy Windows, Mac or Linux and it will run perfectly well.
@@davidfishwick5573 As someone whos already made the move to linux. I still do not see the point of higher end chromeos devices. i3 and 8gb ram and a good screen sure. but anything beyond that is pushing it for a system yerning for linux or windows to be set free...
its android, i was using the first experimental but public versions of android x86 back in the day so this is cool to see chrome os be so solid considering I provided alot of crash reports, and this new chrome book hasnt crashed on me one time ever yet lol
