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Comment by yathern | Hacker News Reader

Provided the Linux container system works well on it - it should be easily possible. Whether the UX is good for a developer workflow I can't be sure. Users at reddit.com/r/chromeos seem to be able to do some good dev work on crostini-enabled devices.

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You can’t run docker normally on ChromeOS you can run it on some chromebooks that support dual booting with something like GalliumOS, or rooting the machine and running your Linux distro in a container/chroot.

Unless you are severely strapped for cash and can’t find the same low end chromebook hardware in a low end windows form factor that can be simply reinstalled over there is absolutely no reason to even consider using a chromebook for anything other than it was intended unless you are rooting it for a hobby.

People abuse the fact that you can sometimes find them for sub $200 for $300-400 worth of hardware but it’s a hack on top of a hack to make it run anything.

Please check out r/crostini. Linux VMs now runs seamlessly on Chrome OS and can (or definitely will support) Docker.

Why do you need docker to develop "something easy" like the OP asks?

To have a Postgres instance and a web server without having to install them locally and screw with configuration. docker-compose and done.

Oh, Docker is so easy, and especially in an environment like ChromeOS, I imagine it's by far the most canonical way to develop.

Are you talking about the "old" ChromeOS or the new one with Linux app support? I think with Linux app support it shouldn't be hard to do this at all.

I can run docker on my pixelbook just fine via crostini. Vscode as well.

The whole point of a Chromebook is simplicity. Except for maybe saving a couple hundred bucks (as you say)--which I'm guessing isn't really much of a good reason for most of the people doing this--it doesn't make a lot of sense. There's plenty of cheap generation or two back laptop hardware that you can reliably install Linux on and call it a day.

If I want to do software development etc. I'll use my Linux laptop. If I just need something simple for travel, I'll take a Chromebook.

This isn't true anymore. I'm using Docker on my Pixelbook right now. No hacks required.

Any Crostini supported device works fine. Obviously more RAM and better CPU means a better experience.

I have a basic Acer with a Celeron and 4GB of RAM. Been running VS Code and node to develop React Native apps. Can even load the Expo Android app from the Play Store, no separate Android device required!

Some Crostini info: https://chromium.googlesource.com/chromiumos/docs/+/master/c...

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