Is Windows Coming To Chromebooks? (computerworld.com)

Computerworld suggests a strange strategy for Windows: If you can't beat Chromebook, join Chromebook: The eagle-eyed developers at XDA Developers have spotted a new Google Pixelbook firmware branch. This new code, "eve-campfire," includes a new "Alt OS mode." That "Alt OS"? WIndows 10. From the clues XDA has picked up, this looks as if it will be a real offering and not just an internal project that will never see the light of day. XDA thinks it will be a built-in dual-boot option such as Apple's Boot Camp....

So, why offer Windows on the Chromebook...? I think it's two things. One, Google wants to snag all those users who are still stuck on Windows because of a favorite game or required application. Two (and if I'm right, this is so sneaky of Google), Windows 10 will run like a dog on Chromebooks... would Google rub Microsoft's face in just how much better Chromebooks are than Windows laptops by letting users see for themselves? Sure it would.

Comments

windows isn't the only 'alt os'

[Anonymous Coward]

google could take a shot at microsoft, as mentioned in tfs; as well as a shot at apple by adding actual no-hacks/no-dev-tools/no-secure-boot-headaches linux and bsd support, too (boot camp only supports specific windows versions on specific models/osx versions. linux must be installed manually, which is a fairly significant undertaking).

Re: windows isn't the only 'alt os'

[guruevi]

You could use the BootCamp method to install Linux. Nothing special between Windows and Linux on a Mac besides a different boot disk.

Re:Unconvincing

[Tough Love]

If Chromebook runs Windows badly when the user can see it run better elsewhere then human nature is likely to be to blame the Chromebook, not Windows.

Yah, you kinda missed the point. Linux will be running right beside it, doing the same things, but not sucking.

Re:Nope - gonna be android

[Tough Love]

Look at what is happening in the latest versions of android - resizing support...

Where's my LibreOffice?

Re:I tried

[RandomFactor]

System
Languages and Input
Advanced/Input Assistance

Spell Checker OFF
Autofill service OFF

i find them barely worth keeping myself, but sounds like you fall the other way.

Re:Nope - gonna be android

[ChunderDownunder]

Microsoft has an Office365 port for Android.

Maybe it's just Libreoffice...

Define better ?

[Crashmarik]

The hardware on your typical windows laptop blows the typical chromebook away.

Re:Define better ?

[Ol Olsoc]

The hardware on your typical windows laptop blows the typical chromebook away.

It won't work unless Microsoft supplies a stripped down version of Windows. Most Chromebooks come with a 16 GByte SSD. Some with 32.

As it turns out, Windows laptops with 32 GByte SSD's do not have enough room for Windows updates. I took a new laptop back to the seller a couple days ago. Shades of "Vista Ready" laptops thatweren't capable of running Vista.

Besides, what person who wanted a Chromebook would want Windows?

Re:Define better ?

[Ol Olsoc]

It won't work unless Microsoft supplies a stripped down version of Windows.

I would welcome a stripped down version of Windows for my desktop. Microsoft was doing an alright job with every other release of Windows (xp was good, vista was bad, 7 was good, 8 was bad). Then they release 10 which has been their most successful crap OS. I'm still waiting for Windows 9 which would have been the good version. Maybe stripped down Windows 10 can be called Windows 9.

I think it will be called Windows - rental edition. I wonder how the faitful are going to react when they get charged every month for their OS breaking updates. I wonder if after windows desktop as a service breaks tour computer if you are charged for making it work again. Or Windows renter's insurance. I can see it now......

Nice laptop you got there friend. Be a pity if it stopped working....

Re:Define better ?

[Heir Of The Mess]

As it turns out, Windows laptops with 32 GByte SSD's do not have enough room for Windows updates

WTF you talking about? I've got a 5+ year old ASUS T100 32GB storage + 2GB RAM Tablet + keyboard dock that came with Windows 8.1, which I then upgraded to Windows 10 Pro, and that I upgrade every month to the latest patch through Windows Update. Damn thing is a real trooper that keeps on going and going. Great for travelling. But I have never not had enough space to do an update.

I just bought a new bicycle

[biggaijin]

And I want to lash a giant old SUV that leaks oil to the back of it. Where can I get this new Windows for Chrome?

Re: I tried

[ArhcAngel]

Nowadays if I want a keyboard, I have to get a Blackberry, so I'm stuck choosing between hardware that makes sense and an OS that's actually supported by more than 10 people.

What the hell are you talking about? All BlackBerry phones for the last three years run Android with BlackBerry security services. BlackBerry licensed the BlackBerry brand to TCL They manufacture the majority of BlackBerry branded devices. BlackBerry spun off their mobile device division to focus on enterprise/government/medical security services. BlackBerry Mobile is a new company controlled by TCL.

Re:Nope - gonna be android

[Tough Love]

Android isn't for a big monolithic slab of an application - it's broken all that up into a series of activities, so yes, you're actually going to have to spend some time rewriting things if you want to bring something like staroffice to android.

It's Libreoffice, was that some kind of slur? Yes, it was some kind of slur. See, Google doesn't want LibreOffice on Android because it wants to push GoogleDocs, nothing more or less. The problem with that is, GoogleDocs sucks. A lot. It is in no way an adequate substitute for LibreOffice, the real thing. Never mind that GoogleDocs is competely closed source. So Google is acting against the interests of its users to push its own agenda.

Let's not have bullshit about Android can't do this or that. Android can run LibreOffice just as it is, if Google wants that. After all, Android is just a Linux skin. If Google wanted that then there would be a proof of concept in a week.

Re:Nope - gonna be android

[Tough Love]

libreoffice needs rewriting to work on Android, plan, simple, and not because google doesn't want it

GNURoot Debian provides a Debian Linux environment that runs within the confines of the Android application sandbox

So you are wrong, LibreOffice can run without modification on Android. Work would need to be done to make it look and act like an Android app, but personally I don't give a shit about that, I just want to use a proper Office suite with a proper mouse/keyboard interface on my Android devices, which are perfectly capable of it. Google doesn't want this because it would compete with Google Docs, as I said.