Moving To a Chromebook (avc.com)

VC Fred Wilson writes: I've been thinking about moving from a Mac to a Chromebook as my primary computing device. I have not used desktop software for probably a decade now. The browser is how I do all of my desktop computing. Paying up for a full blown computer when all I need is a browser seems like a waste. And there are some security things that appeal to me about a Chromebook. I like the ability to do two factor authentication on signing into the device, for example. I am curious what advice those of you who use Chromebooks have for me. In the comments section, Kevin C Tofel, a long time journalist and an ex-Googler writes: I'm all on in Chromebooks, currently using a Pixelbook. Base model is fine for my needs, which sound very similar. I am taking some CompSci classes but even from a programming standpoint, the addition of Linux running in containers -- available in Dev and Beta channels now, coming to Stable v. 69 in the coming weeks -- fills that need easily and securely. I don't do a bunch of video editing but I can do audio edits in Audacity for Linux once audio support arrives for Linux on Chrome OS.

I actually use Google for my password management. It's built in to Chrome / Chrome OS and syncs to all devices. Plus, you can always log in and look up passwords at passwords.google.com. Sure if Google is hacked, someone has my passwords, but same can be said for any cloud-based password manager or (if you run 1Password, etc... locally) if someone gains access to your device. I use Google's 2FA to log in to my Google account and even to log in to my Pixelbook - can be done with an authenticator app, SMS or -- my preferred method -- a Yubikey. I'l be buying a Google Titan Security key to replace my Yubikey once they go on sale.

Comments

Spyware by default

[johnsie]

If you want to use a data collection tool as your main computer then be my guest.

The only reason to do it is to save money

[captbollocks]

I did it 4 years ago when my macbook air died and I didn't really have the money to buy a new one. So I switched to a chromebook, and an android phone.

If you remember that Apple builds computers/phones/systems to profit from and Google builds computers/phones/systems to run more of their ads to profit from, you won't be too shocked by how rough google tech is.

I lasted 3 years on an android phone before going back to an iphone, I am not sure I want to spend the money on a new macbook, so I will probably get a cheap linux laptop when my chromebook dies and keep everything in the cloud (probably MS with MS office, which is still 10 times better than google apps).

There is nothing that a Chromebook does better than a mac, it is just a lot cheaper.

Chrome with Debian

[houghi]

I use a Chromebook. It is a HP. I run Debian on it using Crouton
That way I can easily find things I want and know, like terminals and bash and what not.
As an added bonus I can run it on an encrypted file and if somebody asks to look at my PC and I log in, there will be not much for them to see, unless they know to do CTRL-SHIFT-T, then shell (or pgdwn) and then "sudo startxfce4". And there I can use any browser that I desire with anything that I desire.

e.g. I use LastPass for logins, but not on the one on Chromebook. That user is not even the same as my 'normal' user that I use. I use Chromium and not Chrome on Linux.

The device is fast enough for browsing and the price is low enough to make it interesting. More here on various ones

If I would buy one now, I probably would go for the Acer. That said, I use it as a secondary PC and I absolutely need ssh to servers.