You can do all that with Chrome OS. It's called developer mode... Advancing the ...

dman · on Oct 9, 2013

Does developer mode come with a c/c++ compiler ? can you change the boot loader ? how about install a new shell ? replace the browser ? lets say you come up with a cool hack while in developer mode do you have to convince your friends to run in developer mode too ?

Mikeb85 · on Oct 9, 2013

Chrome OS uses Gentoo's Portage package manager. So to install say, emacs, you simply do # emerge emacs, or whatever you want to install.

Anyhow, there's also plenty of online instructions on how to use Crouton to install Ubuntu onto Chrome OS, the point is that Chrome OS is a full, real Linux distro.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v031udlfY5E

pjmlp · on Oct 9, 2013

Those are hacks and not fully endorsed by Google.

Besides what is the point to pay $279 for a web browser?

Mikeb85 · on Oct 9, 2013

If they aren't endorsed by Google, why did Google add developer mode and Portage? They could have locked it down like Windows RT

pjmlp · on Oct 9, 2013

If it was endorsed by Google, you would have a user friendly way of doing that with full documentation, instead of hacks having to be explained by users via YouTube videos.

Mikeb85 · on Oct 9, 2013

https://sites.google.com/site/chromeoswikisite/home/what-s-n...

Google could have locked it down as much as iOS if they wanted to. They didn't. Who do you think created developer mode?

pjmlp · on Oct 9, 2013

You have to manually install a proper operating system following dozens of steps.

The automated scripts that ease the task were created by individuals that don't work for Google.

This is hardly proper support.

If this was a desired way of using Chromebooks, options would be available to select it in a user friendly way.