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Chromebook: Ubuntu alongside stock Chrome OS

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Re: Chromebook: Ubuntu alongside stock Chrome OS

#21

Post by morsch »

harpastum wrote: post #9
untog wrote: post #6

My initial thought about the Chomebook Pixel is exactly that it would be a good Linux machine. But with a maximum of 64GB storage, it'll never be my main machine, sadly.

The 13" Retina MacBook Pro [1] matches the wifi Pixel in almost every characteristic except the touch screen, and is just $200 more expensive for the model with 128GB storage. However, there's no LTE option. [1] http://www.apple.com/macbook-pro/specs-retina/

Cheapest 13" rMBP has:

- faster CPU (i5 2.5 vs 1.8 GHz)

- double the RAM (8 vs 4 GB)

- bigger HD (as you say)

- wider aspect ratio (Pixel has 100 extra pixels along the bottom in an overall smaller package)

- a bit higher (1.9 vs 1.6 cm)

- a bit heavier (1.62 vs 1.52 kg)

- bigger battery and runtime (74 vs 59Wh, reportedly 7 vs 5 hours)

Overall, a lot to be said for the rMBP. Good to have options.

Re: Chromebook: Ubuntu alongside stock Chrome OS

#22

Post by mjs »

drivebyacct2 wrote: post #17
mjs wrote: post #3

Looks like this is crouton: https://github.com/dnschneid/crouton "Anyone who wants to run straight Linux on their Chromium OS device, and doesn't care about physical security. You're also better off having some knowledge of Linux tools and the command line in case things go funny, but it's not strictly necessary." The bit about physical security seems to refer to the fact that for some reason you can't even password…

I'm fairly sure it's a reference to the generally disposable and fully encrypted nature of Chrome OS. There's no reason it wouldn't be password protectable and the link describes that the chroot can be encrypted as well.

To run crouton you need to put your machine into developer mode though, which could mean that all bets are off. (e.g. if you power it off, it comes back up without requiring a password, since this is annoying/unnecessary if you're actually developing for Chrome OS.)

Re: Chromebook: Ubuntu alongside stock Chrome OS

#23

Post by phaus »

bryanlarsen wrote: post #11
untog wrote: post #6

My initial thought about the Chomebook Pixel is exactly that it would be a good Linux machine. But with a maximum of 64GB storage, it'll never be my main machine, sadly.

I'm anxiously waiting for teardown info to see how easy it is to upgrade. I used a 64GB SSD in my main work machine until very recently and would have no problems going back, but if I buy a $1300 laptop, it has to have a little bit of room to grow. The 4GB RAM spec is more worrisome to me, and far less likely to be user upgradable.

Sadly, I think your days of purchasing $1300 laptops are rapidly drawing to a close.

Re: Chromebook: Ubuntu alongside stock Chrome OS

#24

Post by codenerdz »

joezydeco wrote: post #20
harpastum wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The 13" Retina MacBook Pro [1] matches the wifi Pixel in almost every characteristic except the touch screen, and is just $200 more expensive for the model with 128GB storage. However, there's no LTE option. [1] http://www.apple.com/macbook-pro/specs-retina/

If you watch the Apple Store, you can get a refurbished 13.3" Air for $1,269. Retina display (2560x1600, 227 dpi), 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD.

You surely mean MBP retina, not air :)

Re: Chromebook: Ubuntu alongside stock Chrome OS

#25

Post by cma »

morsch wrote: post #21
harpastum wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The 13" Retina MacBook Pro [1] matches the wifi Pixel in almost every characteristic except the touch screen, and is just $200 more expensive for the model with 128GB storage. However, there's no LTE option. [1] http://www.apple.com/macbook-pro/specs-retina/

Cheapest 13" rMBP has: - faster CPU (i5 2.5 vs 1.8 GHz) - double the RAM (8 vs 4 GB) - bigger HD (as you say) - wider aspect ratio (Pixel has 100 extra pixels along the bottom in an overall smaller package) - a bit higher (1.9 vs 1.6 cm) - a bit heavier (1.62 vs 1.52 kg) - bigger battery and runtime (74 vs 59Wh, reportedly 7 vs 5 hours) Overall, a lot to be said for the rMBP. Good to have options.

Is the pixel's screen really an "overall smaller package"? With an aspect ratio closer to square, it gets more surface area per diagonal inch, I would imagine it is actually larger than the 13in macbooks' screens even though it is only 12.8in or whatever.

Re: Chromebook: Ubuntu alongside stock Chrome OS

#26

Post by dman »

sgarman wrote: post #4

If this is good enough to replace a macbook air why does this exist? http://www.google.com/intl/en/chrome/devices/chromebooks.htm... This product seems way out of line with Google's strategy.

I think its about time Apple got challenged on the high end. For the rest of the market to survive they eventually have to pierce the myth that Apple is the upper bound in terms of quality in every market that they operate in.

Re: Chromebook: Ubuntu alongside stock Chrome OS

#27

Post by 3pt14159 »

That is f'ing awesome. The only thing holding me back from completely jumping in is Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop. Right now I'm dual booting Mac and Ubuntu and it is a massive pain. It crashes frequently enough for me to think about it and switching OS just to touch up some photos or cut some assets sucks.

Disclosure: I have financial interest in Apple succeeding. I also have worked on a project for Google regarding the new Chromebook pixel.

Re: Chromebook: Ubuntu alongside stock Chrome OS

#29

Post by taligent »

3pt14159 wrote: post #27

That is f'ing awesome. The only thing holding me back from completely jumping in is Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop. Right now I'm dual booting Mac and Ubuntu and it is a massive pain. It crashes frequently enough for me to think about it and switching OS just to touch up some photos or cut some assets sucks. Disclosure: I have financial interest in Apple succeeding. I also have worked on a project for Google regarding…

Why don't you just run Ubuntu in VirtualBox/Parallels ?

Re: Chromebook: Ubuntu alongside stock Chrome OS

#30

Post by taligent »

morsch wrote: post #21
harpastum wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The 13" Retina MacBook Pro [1] matches the wifi Pixel in almost every characteristic except the touch screen, and is just $200 more expensive for the model with 128GB storage. However, there's no LTE option. [1] http://www.apple.com/macbook-pro/specs-retina/

Cheapest 13" rMBP has: - faster CPU (i5 2.5 vs 1.8 GHz) - double the RAM (8 vs 4 GB) - bigger HD (as you say) - wider aspect ratio (Pixel has 100 extra pixels along the bottom in an overall smaller package) - a bit higher (1.9 vs 1.6 cm) - a bit heavier (1.62 vs 1.52 kg) - bigger battery and runtime (74 vs 59Wh, reportedly 7 vs 5 hours) Overall, a lot to be said for the rMBP. Good to have options.

The MacBook Pro also has:

- Thunderbolt

- USB 3.0

- Bluetooth 4.0

- Optical In/Out

- MagSafe

- Better Trackpad

Not to mention a company with a history of great support. There really isn't any good reason to buy a Pixel.

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