Quote:
Originally Posted by The Old Man
So, if I go with the Chromebook and find I don’t like it I could, perhaps, install Linux? I like that thought. And if things go south I’m only out $300.
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You might be able to "install" Linux over Chrome OS (depends on the Chromebook). But I'm talking about the ability to just enable Linux. Debian is built right into Chromebooks. You just go to Settings -> Advanced -> Developers and then you'll see the ability to enable the "Linux Environment." (It's a built-in virtual machine Debian Linux, but since Chrome OS is Linux anyhow, it runs a bit cleaner than some virtual machine OSes.) Decide how much memory you want to give it and Chrome OS takes care of the rest. (Note the "Developers" above is not the same as "Development Mode," which is what you have to get into if you wanted to install Linux (provided Acer allows it). Going into "Develop Mode" requires resetting the Chromebook — it's much move involved than just enabling Linux.
The version of Linux (Debian) uses the Chrome File application for installing applications and it doesn't (by default) come with a standard Linux desktop — I think it can be added, but I've never done that. I normally use the apt commands to install DOSBox-X and run DOS programs. On my old Chromebook I use it for WordStar 7 for DOS and Script Thing for DOS. I run Trelby under Linux on the old Dell 3189 Chromebook. This is my remaining Chromebook as I decided that an old Dell Latitude running Linux Mint was a better solution.
Sorry for rambling. Probably too much information. It's actually easier to do than explain.