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Chromebooks are an excellent choice for many types of users…students, grandparents, kids or anyone who needs a reliable, easy-to-use laptop. But for those who need a more traditional operating system, is this even an option?
Well, a few years back, Google made it possible to add Linux support to ChromeOS. By doing so, one can install Linux apps on their Chromebook and take advantage of traditional GUI software and even use a command line interface.
Too: Best Chromebook Laptops Right Now
For any Chromebook user who wants to be able to run more standard apps, this is a great way to extend ChromeOS. And, since it’s Linux, there’s a lot of software that can be installed. For example, if you prefer a regular email client, you can install one like Thunderbird or Geary. Want a different browser? Install Firefox. Need an Image Editor? Install GIMP. You can also install a full fledged office suite like LibreOffice.
After adding Linux support to ChromeOS, there’s a lot more that can be done. For example, you can install Docker and develop containers.
Below I’ll show you how to add Linux support to your Chromebook and install your first application.
Too: How I Revamped Three Ancient Computers With ChromeOS Flex
All you need is an updated Chromebook to make this work. Unlike when Linux support was first released, you can be on any ChromeOS channel (official, dev, or unstable).
How to Enable Linux on ChromeOS
Click on the system tray and then click on the gear icon in the top right.
The ChromeOS Settings window is easily accessible from a system tray popup. Image: Jack Wallen/ZDNET
In the Settings app, scroll down until you see the Developers section.
Developers section in the ChromeOS Settings app. Image: Jack Wallen/ZDNET
Click Enable for Linux development environment. In the resulting window, click Next.
Linux Development Environment Install Wizard. Image: Jack Wallen
In the next window, make sure you are OK with the username and then either Customize the Disk Size or accept the 10GB default and click Install.
The username for your Linux environment is set here. Image: Jack Wallen
Once you click on Install, the process will begin and may take anywhere from 2-20 minutes depending on the speed of your network connection and the power of your Chromebook.
Once the installation is complete a terminal window will open, indicating encouraging success.
Huzzah! The Linux development environment has been added to ChromeOS. Image: Jack Wallen
How to install your first app
Let’s install the Geary email client. To do this, update apt with the command:
Once the appropriate updates are in place, install Geary with:
sudo apt-get install geary -y
When the installation is complete, you can open Geary from the ChromeOS Launcher.
Geary has been successfully installed on ChromeOS. Image: Jack Wallen
And my dear friends, that’s how easy it is to add Linux support to your Chromebook. Do that and install all the apps you need to expand the options for ChromeOS.
