Best Chromebooks for Linux
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Best Chromebooks for Linux
Chromebooks have taken the world by storm, so it is no surprise that Google has gone one step further by making them affordable and portable as well as Linux supported.
Now, for those who aren’t aware of Linux, there is no need to worry. You see, Linux is an operating system similar to Windows and iOS. This is an operating system kernel that has been in the market since 1991, so it is pretty old. It is the most-used open-sourcing OS. So, it is software that will sit under all the other software of the computer, getting requests from programs and passing them forward to the computer’s hardware. In other words, it is like a middleman or a helper.
That is why Chromebooks are so popular because they give you all the good features of a laptop without the expansive memory equivalent to 1,000 GB which not many people need. In 2019, Google announced that it would be shipping all of its Chromebooks with Linux support. This makes it possible for Linux lovers to run any popular Linux distribution in a container parallel to Chrome’s Operating System.
For this purpose, we have compiled a guide of 3 of the best Chromebooks for Linux of all time that is designed for you to run Linux distribution with ease.
1) Google Pixelbook 12.3”
Amazon ASIN #B075JLPLBL
Google is a ten-ton gorilla for Chrome products, and hence, it is no surprise that they are at the top of the list for the best Chromebooks for Linux. It was only in 2019 that Google gave the green signal for Chromebooks to be Linux supported. It is a high-performance Chromebook and the first laptop with a built-in Google Assistant. Hence, it makes for fantastic Linux software support.
This version of the Pixelbook has a 7th Gen Intel Core i5 processor with a whopping 8GB RAM and 128 GB of storage space. For those who don’t have time to charge but need the maximum usage out of the few minutes of charging, then this Chromebook is for you. It delivers 2 hours of performance on just 15 minutes of charging.
This has an adjustable 4-in-1 design which allows you to turn the display into a tent, tablet, or entertainment mode. The screen is no less with a 12.3-inch size, a 360-degree feature for the display, and corning gorilla glass. The screen monitor is worth the money. Plus, you don’t about the Chromebook slowing over time because it doesn’t, thanks to the Chrome Operating System that gives regular updates.
Pros
- High-performance Chromebook with 2 hours of usage in 15 minutes of charging
- Best Linux support
- 4-in-1 adjustable display design with 360 degrees feature
- 8 GB Ram and 128 GB of storage
- Get access to Chrome Web Store to listen to music and download movies for offline access.
Cons
- The price point is higher than most Chromebooks
- Asus Chromebook Flip C433 2-IN-1 Laptop
Amazon ASIN #B08ZLF99VD
Asus’s Chromebook Flip C433 is also a Linux support device. Of course, one of its highlighted features is the flip, which some would say is better than Google’s Pixelbook. This Chromebook’s screen monitor can easily be flipped based on your needs. The 14-inch touchscreen display with a 1920×1080 display allows you to view the work clearly with thin bezels. Its 360-degree hinge makes it stand apart, so the touchscreen display can be placed in positions of the tent, stand, or even in tablet mode, which speaks highly of its convenience.
In addition, it is powered by the Intel Core m3-8100Y Processor, which is perfect if you are researching and love to keep multiple tabs open. This feature gets even more enhanced with an 8GB RAM performance because it ensures that it will never hang or get slow. Not to mention this Chromebook is running on Chrome OS, which never slows down. Get to enjoy this beauty for your Linux software with its diamond-cut designs.
Pros
- 10 –point multi-touch and 360-degree feature allows you to rotate and bend the touchscreen display in any position for ease, making it 4-in-1 functionality
- Powered by the Intel Core m3-8100Y Processor and 8GB Ram ensures you can run multiple applications and tabs without any worry of it slowing down
- Durable and an all-metal body
- Full size backlit keyboard for maximum productivity
Cons
- It comes with only 64 GB of internal storage, which is not enough in the long run for files.
3) Acer Chromebook R 13 Convertible 13.3”
Amazon ASIN #B01LXYG77O
Acer is another great choice for Linux-supported Chromebooks, especially the R 13 convertible model with a 13.3 inch HD display. This comes with enough processing power through MediaTek Quad-Core CPU that it is easily able to run Linux. With just a single charge, you can get your entire days’ worth of tasks accomplished without the fear of the battery running out. You can easily feel like you own a tablet and a laptop, both with access to millions of Android apps through the Google Playstore.
It comes with a 360-degree feature allowing you to bend or rotate the display to your liking. Not just that, but this Chromebook even detects which mode you are in, and it will optimize the sound according to that through its two microphones.
Pros
- Enjoy thousands of free apps from Google Playstore
- You can get more out of your Chromebook with its 360-degree hinge feature allowing you to bend the display at any angle.
- The MediaTek Quad-core CPU is powerful enough to run Linux easily.
- 3 inch HD touch display
- 12-hour long battery life to get a day’s worth of tasks done
Cons
- It does not come with a charger
Our Final Thoughts
Linux is a software that not many people would be opting for, but with Google’s Chrome Operating System running in those Chromebooks, you need not worry that the device will not handle it.
Our recommendation would be to go for Google Pixelbook if you have the money and invest in a premium Chromebook.