How much Linux terminal and/or XWindows/Wayland apps (and power-hungry Android apps?) can you do on a modern Chromebook?
Probably even the cheapest part of schooling equipment too now. Never seen a textbook go for less than $100, at least in my experience.
When not doing docker or microservices everything, there is hardly any need to keep buying hardware.
WebGL 2.0 is based on OpenGL ES 3.0, so for that kind of graphics, any GPU after 2011 will spend most of their cores sleeping.
For compiled languages, even C++ (if using binary dependencies via package manager), the workflow is fast enough.
I am the opinion, even something like an Amiga 3000 would be more than enough for what most people do with their computers. :)
I used to throw it into one of those mini fashion backpacks and bike to the park to write a bit of code on nice days.
Not much fear of breaking it because it was so cheap. Had external batteries too which I sometimes brought an extra of to swap out (which actually sounds crazy compared to how most laptops are now a days)
And despite my Linux vs Windows posts, it is actually Linux based, and was bought that way, also a proof that even that didn't help when regarding some common Linux Desktop themes.
Anyway, it has served me well during my travels, like you I am used to take it everywhere.
When it finally dies, it is going to be quite hard to find a good replacement that takes over similar responsibility.
For my purposes, a $100 used Chromebook is perfectly adequate, and is the sort of device I can take on a hike, kayak, or bike ride, and not worry if it's lost, stolen, or damaged.
I am willing to adjust my performance expectations considerably, but the non-expandable storage has made me think I am in for a world of annoyance if I want to use anything other than a web browser.
https://support.google.com/chrome/a/answer/6220366?hl=en
Chromebooks near or past the planned obsolescence date can be had for a song, including decent models. The market is close to non-existent, so there's a glut of them.
My Chromebook has a 3200x1800 display, 16GB RAM, and takes an SD card (for expandable, albeit slow, storage). That's plenty for most of the types of work I'd like to do on a boat. It was under $200, almost expired. New, it would have been close to a grand.
The most popular way to install Ubuntu is with crouton:
https://ubuntu.com/tutorials/install-ubuntu-on-chromebook#1-...
However, I installed it natively. Here's a random tutorial:
https://dbtechreviews.com/2018/09/how-to-install-ubuntu-on-c...
The key annoyance (really the only difference from a "real" laptop) is you have to hit a special key sequence on every boot.
I definitely don't think of it as a "world of pain." I wouldn't use it as my primary laptop, but it's great as a device I can use in places I'd never take my primary laptop.