It's true that most people just want instant on functionality with no need for major changes beyond colors and backgrounds. Totally fine too, for many that's all they need. But as a "power user", which would mean anyone that needs more than a portable browser, I was very disappointed to find that's all that ChromeOS is (twas a used one in the family). And then when I researched putting actual Linux on it so it could do more... good god they locked that shit down hard. Not even worth that rabbit hole. And that was the intent of Google.

[–] E_coli42@lemmy.world 3 points 3 days ago

So the power user uses Linux.

The casual user uses ChromeOS (shitty Linux). Or preferably something like Pop_OS!, but I'm being unrealistic with this.

I see no problem here. You could replace pretty much everyone's pre-installed OS with ChromeOS or Linux (or macOS I guess if they like MacBooks) and I don't think most people would mind.

I have only ever seen someone use windows because they HAD to, not because they want to. Either they game, they use a software only on windows, it came pre-installed on their laptop and they don't know or can't bother to learn how to flash an ISO on a USB stick, etc.

I am completely fine with, and in fact am grateful for, the enshitification of windows 11. It will push more and more people to Linux. The enshitification of windows 8 is what made Steam shift from windows to SteamOS. I'm sure future enshitification will do just that: make people question why they are using windows in the first place.

[–] Pika@sh.itjust.works 4 points 3 days ago (2 children)

Most chromebooks can be put into a dev mode(which requires factory reset...) in order to install a new OS on it. I have done it a few times.

being said, with how low power they are, they can't really do much but what chromeos can do.

[–] Rhaedas@fedia.io 5 points 3 days ago

The early ones were easier. The one I had needed to do some mess with a grounding screw and some other stuff that I forgot (there are websites dedicated to the procedure guidelines and which requires what), and like you say, it's not going to be able to do much anyway. Such a contrast with throwing Kubuntu on an old MacBook, and 10 minutes later it was better than new.

[–] WhyJiffie@sh.itjust.works 2 points 2 days ago

there are some gems though that are more capable. some are worth installing linux onto