Glad to see a detailed review that also doubles as an installation guide. I definitely had anxiety following the docs when I took the plunge last year.
Chromebooks are a great way to get 100% compatible Linux hardware. Even though it was underpowered, the old chromebook I had fedora on was one of the best Linux machines I’ve ever had
Don’t trust that they’re 100% compatible with mainline Linux, ChromeOS carries some weird patches and proprietary stuff up-stack.
I have a little Dell Chromebook 11 3189 that I did the Mr.Chromebox Coreboot + Linux thing on, a couple years ago I couldn’t get the (weird i2c) input devices to work right, that has since been fixed in upstream coreboot tables and/or Linux but (as of a couple months ago) still don’t play nice with smaller alternative OSes like NetBSD or a Haiku nightly.
The Audio situation is technically functional but still a little rough, the way the codec in bay/cherry trail devices is half chipset half external occasionally leads to the audio configuration crapping itself in ways that take some patience and/or expertise to deal with (Why do I suddenly have 20 inoperable sound cards in my pulse audio settings?).
This particular machine also does some goofy bullshit with 2 IMUs in the halves instead of a fold-back sensor, so the rotation/folding stuff via iio sensors is a little quirky.
But, they absolutely are fun, cheap hacker toys that are generally easy targets.
This is a fantastic and highly informative video guide.
i’ve seen a few of her videos now, and they all seem to be high quality like this one. good stuff!
This makes me wanna go buy a cheapo chromebook for messing with. Great video.
I have one. It’s one of the higher end deals from a couple years ago (for a chrome book). I have been excited to work on it every time I’ve seen something like this posted.
I CAN’T FIND IT! Gaaaaah.
I seen the damn thing a thousand times. I wasn’t looking for it. Now? Gone. Nowhere.
Does this shit happen to anyone else?
Not I suggest this bad boy? I got it on sale and it’s perfect for ducking around on Linux. I use Mabox Linux on mine. https://www.amazon.com/Lenovo-Chromebook-Dual-Core-Processor-Bluetooth/dp/B08KR977Y1
