(07-21-2024, 05:44 PM)JRace Wrote: I bought one Chromebook several years ago. I just wanted the low-cost hardware, so after buying it I immediately replaced ChromeOS with Xubuntu.
I've been reconsidering ChromeOS as a viable alternative since Linux on ChromeOS (aka Crostini) has been available.
Like all devices and operating systems, not any single one of them is the best choice for everybody.
I don't believe for a second that ChromeOS is the right choice for many people, but I think there are an awful lot of people who do not realize that Chrome OS would be just enough for their needs.
In my case, at least 95% (if not 99%) of my Chromebook usage is in Chrome OS (in the web browser). Easy because there isn't any Windows software I need.
Enabling Linux (I.e. installing Debian) is only a pushbutton affair. Then the few apps I need are just a sudo apt-get install away (that's what I'm familiar with; I have no idea if there are more user-friendly ways to go about it.) The ones I nab from the Debian repositories (Vym, Vim, Geany, Tree sheets, DB Browser for sqlite, KolourPaint, gPlanarity, Hex-a-hop, and Ri-li), along with Spiderbasic, and QB64: I need nothing else.
If I really needed anything else that I can't easily get on Linux, and probably just get whatever android app from the Google Play store (because those apps work on Chromebooks.)
Seems to me booting from a live Linux on USB is possible, so I might get into Puppy Linux again someday.
Chromebook I.T. support for my mum, dad, and ex-wife has been a no-effort-joy vs the nightmare of supporting them on Windows. That said, my kiddo does need Windows for gaming and for university, but she is her own I.T. support person (thank the gods, because I'm too old and disinterested in that.)
A Chromebook may not be right for you, but if it does happen to be all you need, you might be missing out on something that is pretty Zen.
Of course, that does mean selling your soul to Google. Which, really, is no different than selling your soul to Microsoft. Whatever bad Google does, I think it is pretty silly to think Microsoft doesn't do the equivalent (whether the same way or different way).
Obviously, if you do the kind of programming with QB64 that is locked into the Windows API, then nothing but Windows will do (the same as my career, which is all about Windows business software development).
Now that I got that off my chest, I'd like to give my sympathies to all them folk impacted by whatever recent and upcoming trials and tribulations related to Windows ownership. As long as the juice is worth the squeeze, soldier on.