I really dislike ChromeOS!
I really dislike ChromeOS!
Chromebooks explain why my age group ignores privacy concerns and avoids Windows, macOS, or worse Linux. A classic Richard Stallman quote: what you call Linux is actually GNU/Linux—or as I now prefer, GNU plus Linux. It’s not an operating system by itself, but a free piece that works within a complete GNU setup, enhanced by its libraries, shell tools, and core components that fit the POSIX standard. Many people unknowingly run a customized version of this system daily. By chance, the version most used today is simply labeled "Linux," yet it’s just part of the GNU framework they rely on. Linux serves as the kernel—the engine that distributes a machine’s resources to other programs. While crucial, the kernel alone doesn’t run; it needs a full operating system. Typically, Linux works alongside GNU: the complete system is essentially GNU with Linux integrated, forming what we call GNU/Linux. Every so-called Linux distribution is really a collection of GNU/Linux components.
You can spend around $1000 on a Chromebook with solid specs. It’s similar to choosing a $200 Windows laptop versus a $1000+ MacBook. What do you anticipate? You won’t receive an i7 performance on a Celeron chip.
Rotten Acer Chromebook hardware. I examined 45 devices from a school. Four models were Acer, with the C371 having a faulty hinge mount. Six bolts and a 40 x 20 mm plate resolved the issue. Lenovos had half of them with blown chips; signs of damage appeared on the opposite side. Overall, a significant amount of equipment was affected. I discarded two-thirds of the Chromebooks. Regarding ChromeOS, it enabled teachers to monitor student activity. Apple’s Mac Minis now run Linux Mint and function well on MacBook Pros. Installation is simpler than on Windows since BIOS settings aren’t required. Keep pressing Alt/Option throughout the boot process, especially when installing from a USB drive.
In my tech journey I’ve realized it’s important to avoid contributing to e-waste. I won’t pick up laptops that seem designed only for low cost—they often end up as waste quickly. Vintage MacBooks, ThinkPads, and other heavier machines with solid hardware from their release periods are better choices. I recall using Chromebooks in school, which sparked a strange reaction from the entire system after learning ChromeOS was essentially spyware. That’s why I steer clear of iPhones too; their tightly controlled environment limits third-party tools, making them quite restrictive.