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Chrultrabook Docs

docs.chrultrabook.com

49 pointstodsacerdoti24 comments

I have a Pixelbook that I picked up on ebay for cheap. I was planning on loading MrChromebox's custom firmware and installing a "real" Linux and all that, but honestly the thing does everything I need (a browser and a shell) so easily I didn't even bother. You can install an Ubuntu VM in a couple clicks, it supports Wireguard natively and it has a touchscreen. I don't even run it in developer mode any more. I'm really happy with the stock ChromeOS these days shrug

You can really install another OS on it with a couple of clicks? I always thought you needed a special USB debugging cable to unlock the bootloader first. I have a Pixelbook that I'd like to give a friend of mine but he can't have a Google account() so it'd be rather useless for him ootb.

He's homeless and can't rely on having a stable phone number for 2FA

What I remember being a few clicks away last time I used one (about two years ago), was an Ubuntu container that could be installed with a persistent local filesystem and shell access.

I don't know the current state of the art, but I learned software development on a Chromebook with Linux and I didn't need any special cable. Originally I used Chrouton, but later switched to GalliumOS.

That said, sometimes the computer would get in a weird state that required going into regular Chromebook mode to fix, so I think you'd at least want to have a throwaway Google account for managing it. Doesn't have to be something you actually use.

yeah, here are the instructions: https://support.google.com/chromebook/answer/9145439?hl=en (I was wrong about it being Ubuntu, it's Debian bullseye)

MFA is not currently enforced when logging into a chromebook.

Oh I misread. I'm of course aware of Crostini, I thought you meant that it would be easy to install Ubuntu for real.

For whatever reason, when I first read the name, I thought the Chrultrabook was an abbreviation for a Cthulhu-themed laptop.

Same, now I want one.

To open the eyes of those who never sleep, press CTHULU+R and type in "Cahf ah nafl mglw'nafh hh' ahor syha'h ah'legeth"

Do you know how to pronounce it? It is a little bit of tongue-twister for me.

Cthulhu-themed laptops must be programmed in recursive C:

http://www.bobhobbs.com/files/kr_lovecraft.html

After being a Chromebook user since 2013, last year I transitioned my latest Chromebook to a chrultrabook for privacy purposes and to actively avoid Google. I did install Linux on a Windows laptop initially, but the Chromebook keyboard layout is more modern given my usage (mostly web browsing and media consumption)

They also have a new forum as well if people have questions: https://forum.chrultrabook.com/

Is there a best of breed piece of hardware for Chrultrabook?

Say, one where Firefox's webrender runs for GPU-accelerated browsing, standard fare like Youtube videos is also GPU-accelerated, WIFI chip runs flawlessly by default, and the touchpad also works flawlessly?

For which OS?

Whichever distro gives me the relevant drivers out of the box.

ChromeOS is the only Linux that meets all of your criteria, especially touchpad works flawlessly. Windows is another option but none of the other Linux distros will give you working touchpad, gpu, audio, video, wifi, all the peripherals etc.

Why not buy a regular laptop at that point?

Or you know, run ChromeOS on the Chromebook. This won't give you video acceleration in Firefox yet thought.

Yes -- it's called a previous-gen ThinkPad.

From their CCC presentation it looked like the Chrultrabook had parity with the previous-gen ThinkPads. That's why I asked the question-- I'd like to know which Chromebook to look at which can support the bog-standard features I mentioned using something like Debian (or whatever distro).

I doubt Chrultrabook is anywhere near ThinkPad. Lenovo officially supports Linux and ships some models with Ubuntu or Fedora Linux. The Debian wiki has a great list tracking what works on each model. I've had success with ThinkPads that don't officially support Linux, with help from the wiki.

The giant warning banners on the submission site suggest its a complex and incomplete project.

https://www.lenovo.com/us/en/configurator/cto/index.html?bun...

https://wiki.debian.org/InstallingDebianOn/Thinkpad

"Chrultrabooks" are neat projects if you have a Chromebook kicking around, e.g., one that may be past its OS end-of-life date and you want to squeeze some more use out of it. If you're just looking for "a laptop to run Linux on", scoring a used or refurbished ThinkPad is going to be the most straightforward way to get that. You will probably get more CPU oomph and memory out of the ThinkPad than all but the most high-end of Chromebooks (which will cost significantly more).

"Linux notes: Cameras don't work."

There are reasons people use ChromeOS.

Could also be a reason not to use ChromeOS for some. :- )

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