Chrome OS Revamp Delivers a New Look and Linux App Support

Google has released a Chrome OS 69 update that introduces a range of new features. From a report: Most notably, there's now support for running Linux apps. You'll need a supported machine (a handful of machines from Acer, ASUS, HP, Lenovo, Samsung and Google itself). Still, this could be more than a little helpful if you want to run a conventional desktop app or command line terminal without switching to another PC or a virtual environment. The new software also adds the long-in-the-making Night Light mode to ease your eyes at the end of the day. Voice dictation is now available in any text field, and there's a fresh Files interface that can access Play files and Team Drives.

Re: Linux app support

[greenfruitsalad]

Only temporarily. Remember that chromebooks only get 5 years of support. Then you're supposed to throw them in the ocean and buy a new one. On top of that, only a subgroup gets android app support, of which only a subgroup gets linux container support. The fragmentation is as bad as on android. F*ck em. I have chromebooks at home and i love them, but my 5 years of support are almost over. The hardware is capable but planned to be obsolete. I'll give Neverware Cloudready a go when that happens but ive tried it elsewhere and there are some bits missing + it's not meant for chromebooks.

Gaming on Chrome OS

[rsilvergun]

one of the things I'm wondering is if stuff like PUBG and Fortnite will see native Chrome OS support. One of the things that keeps folks on Windows is gaming, but in 2018 there's a lot of folks who just play one of the big multiplayer titles.

Re:

[drinkypoo]

Are there any chromebooks with enough GPU to play those games decently at native resolution?

There are but they're pricier

[rsilvergun]

than the sub $200 ones, and there's no clear indication which is which. You might spend $300 and get decent performance or $500 and get a dog. What's needed is somebody to market it. If I were Samsung I'd partner with Epic to release a Fortnite themed Chromebook.

supported models

[fibonacci8]

Chromebooks using Intel’s BayTrail do not include VT-x. Yes, normally this CPU includes VMX, but the variant in Chromebooks does not. Thus, unfortunately, they'll never be supported.

Currently running GalliumOS on a Gnawty BayTrail. It does include VT-x. I can enable and use the features in virtualbox. I'm curious who wrote that bit of the page listing currently supported chromebook models [googlesource.com].

Re:What is the use case for Chrome OS?

[Xord]

You already know the answer to this. A lot of non-technical people just want to get stuff done without worrying over little detail about how the device works. The recent TV ads I have seen for Chromebooks ask the question "Have you ever wanted your PC to be as simple to use as your phone?". Like it or not, that's an awfully big market.

Linux desktop?

[Bradmont]

So at this point, what is the difference between ChromeOS and a regular linux machine? It's looking more and more like Linux with an Android compatibility layer.

Finally...

[TuringTest]

This is the year of Linux on the desktop! :-P