So for instance I've heard it would be difficult to install linux on a macbook 2015, but using icebergs through your browser you could do so. Correct me if I'm wrong.
Linux runs on very modest hardware, you shouldn't have any issue running it on a powerhouse like a 2015 Macbook if I have successfully run ElementaryOS and Ubuntu on my Mid-2011 Macbook Air!
Even virtualizing Linux on top of OS X using software like VirtualBox would likely still be preferable to using browser-based VNC to a cloud desktop (and free). I have a KVM server I use for web development so I'm often in there via VNC using the desktop. It's not ideal but it works.