Hacker News Reader

In my experience, 'just install Linux on it' is only enjoyable till the first piece of hardware that fails to work as you expected it to (usually Bluetooth or the touchpad). Crouton on Chrome OS quite literally 'just works' and is at least as easy to install as Linux on a PC.

Also, why would I want worse specs? I'd rather get the best hardware I can, and if it looks good, even better.

Definately mixed milage here I agree..

That said on the low end I bought an Acer CloudBook (Win-10 competitor to chromebook) about 2y back and literally everything works, including suspend, wifi, and all the rest.

When a linux install goes right, it's pretty great.

>However, why can't someone get a cheaper laptop similar specs, perhaps worse design, just install linux on it?

Because they want the "all Cloud, all the way" simplicity of a Chromebook as opposed to the "you're on your own" standard Linux operational mode.

"Just install Linux on it" means higher return rates due to all those people who didn't bother to read the specs. That might be more expensive to deal with than the $39 OEM Windows 10 Home license.