Also, why would I want worse specs? I'd rather get the best hardware I can, and if it looks good, even better.
That said on the low end I bought an Acer CloudBook (Win-10 competitor to chromebook) about 2y back and literally everything works, including suspend, wifi, and all the rest.
When a linux install goes right, it's pretty great.
Because they want the "all Cloud, all the way" simplicity of a Chromebook as opposed to the "you're on your own" standard Linux operational mode.
You can want a hassle-free Cloud-based computer whether you are a millionaire or unemployed.
I mean, let's get real, obviously it wouldn't appeal to you (doesn't appeal to me either).
But at least I can pretend to understand the proposition -- it's about never caring for backups and stuff, and having all your stuff in the Cloud, in a Google curated computing experience.
Not about specs or if one can install fvwm and xmonad on it.
care to clarify?
Most of the new languages are written on unix-like systems first..
And what does Chromebook offers?
> For many also $1099 is spare change -- at least when considering what computer they can buy.
You mean it's an expensive gadget for rich hipsters to use as a vulgar display of wealth? that's what Chromebook offers over a regular laptop? then by all means...
A Google-curated, hassle-free computing experience. Those that don't want one can always, I dunno, not buy it.
>You mean it's an expensive gadget for rich hipsters to use as a vulgar display of wealth?
No, I mean that if you're pinching pennies, you can always buy something else, even if you'd really like a Chromebook.
A Pixelbook is for those wanting such an experience, AND being able to afford one (And of course there are much cheaper Chromebooks out there).
If you don't like yourself a Chromebook, on the other hand, why are you even discussing this?
Take this $1K device.
Hardware-wise, for that kind of price you can get a nice laptop. Heck, for $200 extra, you can even get a MacBook pro if you wanted.
Software wise, the value proposition looks even worse. Apple can justify that price tag because you are buying into the Mac ecosystem. Windows laptops can justify the price tag because, well, Windows is what people expect.
Chromebooks, however, have a "mobile-OS-pretending-to-be-a-desktop-OS" OS, irrevocably tied to the cloud and Google's services that runs "apps" and web applications disguised as desktop applications. Barf.
It's so bad that most people that cheer for these devices say "just put Linux on it".
Yeah, you know where else I can stuff Linux onto? Nearly every other Laptop in existence. Last 3 laptops in which I stuffed Linux Mint "just worked". WiFi, Bluetooth, suspend, everything. I'm either a fantastically lucky bastard, or maybe things aren't shit anymore (hint: I suck at poker).
Chromebooks made sense in their niche, as the next iteration of a netbook. One step above tablet (has a keyboard), but several steps (and dollars) below a full blown laptop. Once you cross that threshold, the value proposition looks like crap, because you can generally get a much better device.
Chromebook's being tied to Google's services is a great feature for the easily replaceable vast majority of Chromebooks that are given to students, grandparents, children. They turn on in seconds and take basically zero management. Every time I open my wife's mac there are 5 updates waiting to install because she can't be bothered to click on the notification.
I take the Pixelbook (and earlier Chromebook Pixels) to be Google's attempt to do what people are criticizing Apple of forgetting to do: remember the power users. They don't plan to sell many of them but they want the option to be out there for a developer who might install linux on it anyways but also might take a stab at packaging their app on the Chromestore, or put it on the Canary channel and submit early bug reports. If a couple especially price insensitive casual users buy them that's just a bonus.
It might also have the effect of catching people's attention who then go on to buy a lower price Chromebook. Imagine a casual laptop shopper wants a small nice laptop. They look for a Macbook / Air because they are small seem pretty capable and have nice commercials. They also notice this Pixel because it's in the same price range and other search filters, so it must be similar, right? They find it runs this strange "ChromeOS" which is really just a browser. Come to think of it that's all they really need, what other Chromebooks are there? Ohh look here's one that does everything I was planning on doing with the Macbook for $300. This is not the typical HN reader, but I'd wager a good many laptop purchases work like this.
Not having to care about software and hardware specs like those you've mentioned.
Those people value closed OS that's irrevocably tied to the Cloud (as a good thing).
And I shouldn't even have to point it out. That's literally the marketing proposition behind Chromebooks from the start.
>It's so bad that most people that cheer for these devices say "just put Linux on it".
You'd be surprised.
For many also $1099 is spare change -- at least when considering what computer they can buy.