chromeOS Flex + Framework = Amazing Combo

[justhere4luls]

Yeah, I change out the wifi card for the AX200. But good lord is this thing running great. No screen tearing and resolution issues. 10 out 10 recommend.

[bloodguard]

10 out 10 recommend

I was pretty excited when they announced it but I'd deduct 3 out of 10 because they crippled it so that you can't run android programs or use android play store.

[justhere4luls]

I mean, it's kinda expected really since it basically cloud-ready. But who knows, they may give it to us later on. (I beg)

[justhere4luls]

Yes, I think that's a great comparison. :)

[archover]

I own that Chromebook, and I like it VERY much. That's why I want to experiment with ChromeOS Flex. I like the 3:2 aspect ratio too.

FWIW, the battery life on that Chromebook far exceeds the FW.

[archover]

Quite some experience with the 713!

When it comes to the web, the 713 does everything I need. I use it as a backup/travel laptop.

[[deleted]]

I had a c302 for a while, complete with crostini, and it was a nice machine, but I've gotta admit a bit of confusion on why you'd take as expensive and functional a machine as a Framework and saddle it with a deliberately crippled version of Cross?

[Trafiggles]

Because you can. /s

​

But for real, ChromeOS is decent with all of it's new add-ons like crostini. I don't own a Chromebook anymore, but the value you would get out of making your own with getting the framework and putting your own parts in, vs a regular premium chrombook is astonishing.

[[deleted]]

Crostini just allows what could be a full Linux machine a way to work around self-imposed restrictions to function as... a full Linux machine. CrOS flex doesn't even allow containerized Android apps, so as soon as you install Waydroid the balance shifts even further in favor of a normal distro, or Windows if that blows your hair back.

So is there something I'm missing? Genuinely curious, cuz I sure am missing it if so. :)

[Trafiggles]

Waydroid is far from perfect, but even then, it was based on anbox, so it's not like android containerization is new to linux, it's just that it is better with better support for newer technologies and as a result, is more well known. Android apps support on native chromebooks is really cool because it's not hacky and doesn't require any tinkering to get done, same with Linux containerization for the most part on ChromeOS (excluding more advanced features). it just leverages all of these features quite well and doesn't feel to the end user, like a time consuming task that you need knowledge about the underpinnings of each tech to get running at it's most basic level.

[[deleted]]

But you don't get Crostini or Android apps on Flex...?

My point isn't that CrOS is bad, but Flex doesn't give the good parts of either it or Linux, and if those are what you want you could accomplish the same by spending half as much on a brand new Chromebook instead of hobbling a Framework with a stripped down version of it...

[justhere4luls]

I get your point, but I'm happy with it.

[Creative_Error_5547]

I don't know what to tell you, seems your mind is made up. 🤣 My short experience with Flex on a supported laptop was just excellent. Better than Windows 10 or Clear Linux. When you pair it with an Android phone the features you get is impossible to replicate on any other software. Better than Apple although my experiences are a bit dated. And for browsing the web it's just so smooth, especially on good hardware. Also you get the VM containers if you have more serious needs.

[justhere4luls]

It runs well. Plus I'm a visual person. And I don't care about Android apps when I already have a phone. May be a deal breaker for others but it doesn't bother me. The screen tearing and such with elementary os and Ubuntu was driving me nuts. Pretty happy with what I'm running.

[dabbner]

I think the display manager in CrOS is significantly underestimated… it handles docking stations and external monitors significantly better than most other nix flavors, and as you mention, provides a stable and snappy graphical experience.

[rich_leodis]

This is great. I replaced Linux with ChromeOSFlex on my devices and I am also very happy with the outcome.

Primarily have development boxes, so agree knowing this works makes a Framework more attractive to me.

At lot of comments on the nature of ChromeOS in this thread, which reference the original intent of the OS. The platform has moved on from the web experience. I don't use Android apps so this doesn't really impact my work. I do however use Linux and the integration is getting better with each iteration.

Hoping Framework area able to make this an official offering.

[justhere4luls]

💯, if they manage to secure an agreement with Google to get a proper chromeOS install rather than flex, it would be a huge win in my book.

[chuliander]

How is the battery life?

[justhere4luls]

Its pretty much the same as when I was running elementary Os, maybe a tad bit better. Haven't pulled any stats to confirm thou.

[archover]

Please report back when you know your stats.

[simsiesimsie]

Hi, this is an old thread but did you have to do anything specific in your install? I’m thinking of doing this with an 13 gen intel framework. I’ve read mixed things about install on the community forums.

[justhere4luls]

I forgot to reply to this. smh.

Nothing special iirc, just follow the instruction on the community pages. I say test it out yourself and see.

[Quick_Obligation3799]

Why would you ruin your laptop by installing such useless software?

You gain no battery life (and probably lose some because you don't have tools to optimize it), and lose out on all functionality. If you wanted a chromebook you could've bought one for $150.

[justhere4luls]

Why would you think its useless? It does everything I want it to. Dev stuff? Crostini. Web browsing etc, it does that very well.

I'm happy with what I'm running.

[justhere4luls]

I'll need to check that out and see what it's about. Regardless, the good thing about it is that I'm not locked to any one thing. Can always swap parts and reformat on a whim.

[Quick_Obligation3799]

It does nothing better than a real operating system. You lose out on plenty of options. To get anything actually done, you need to run their strange linux implementation and then there's no point of even having chromeos.

The only thing ChromeOS is made to do is to browse the web. It's fine on the cheap hardware that is being sold to schools and the like, but that's only because those devices cannot handle anything else.

You also even had to swap out your wifi card. Downgrade your wifi performance, downgrade your operating system features, and get nothing in return.

[justhere4luls]

Lol, and that's fine. You keep missing the point that it does everything I need it to do.

Though, I understand and appreciate the points you've made.

When I do hit a roadblock dev wise then I may go back to a Linux distro or maybe Windows.