Re: install a Linux distro of your choice
Was given a Chromebook (Intel 64G Galaxy Go) since I wrote that; S/H not too old. (2023 original release, support till 2031).
Easy now to enable Crostini, the cut-down Debian in a container called penguin. This is mostly for security? Access to underlying Gentoo Linux only in special ChromeBook developer mode.
Was able to add LibreOffice, KATE, synaptic package manager, Chromium (but not Firefox), CUPS, printer config GUI, some libraries Calibre needed etc via sudo app install <whatever> and have SDcard available to Linux. Set the i386 ach for dpkg, and sudo app install WINE worked, VB6 apps that use OCX incompatible with any x4 Windows work (which is many). Even included Wordpad to test. I read there is a x86 32 bit emulator for ARM Linux that lets WINE work, but this is maybe sole advantage of Intel ChromeBook. The 11 hours rating is more like 5 or 6 hours.
Used synaptic to install some Ham Radio SW.
Added Android Vivaldi, Viber, HP42 calculator and others from Playstore. Some Playstore apps don't install (maybe native ARM?), others give an alternate ChromeOS version. If an Android app borks because you resized, it may work than restarted. Most are fine default Portrait or Landscape.
If you are short of cash a Chromebook might be 1/2 price of a laptop that's too cheap. Forget ChromeOS Flex (no Playstore) on a generic laptop as Linux Mint is better.
OK, so a current Chromebook can run variously:
1. Native ChromeOS applications. (Likely Gentoo Linux, but might be google VM on Gentoo)
2. Android, but sometimes Playstore offers only ChromeOS and some won't be available for Intel/AMD and some not for ARM.
3. Linux applications and Crostini is based on Debian, so Ubuntu/Mint packages & scripts work.
4: Windows x86 (32 bit) on WINE 32. There is an Emulator for WINE 32 that works OK on ARM. Inc VB6 programs that use OCX, which won't run on ANY 64bit Windows, Some 32 bit Win7 & Win10 may work. These often need a VM on Win10/11, but here can run native on Intel ChromeBook.
5: Windows x64 (64 bit) on WINE 64. I didn't bother with this and compatibility is lower (up to win10 64 bit).
6. Chrome Browser extensions.
The builtin "Desktop" windows seem to be rendered by Chrome.
Magic key presses at power on for true Chromebook developer mode erases all user data.
I'm no fan of Google and ChromeOS / Chromebooks did start out as garbage.
I do have XP era programs and VB6 programs for Engineering where there will never be a 64 bit version (because VB.net / C# can't do some things that VB6 can do, or the programmer is dead!).
So Linux (Crostini / Debian), x86 Windows via WINE (no extra VM overhead of RAM), ChromeOS and multiple Android Windows copy/paste. Brother LAN printer via CUPs (separately on ChromeOS and Linux).
So for me the Intel Chromebook is fine, Most people better off with the ARM version. All the important for most people Linux programs are also on ARM. I'll continue to use my Dell 7050 shoebox with 512G SSD and 4T HDD for everyday, but take the Chromebook instead of my 17" Linux laptop if going out.
If you have a S/H Win10 laptop or even older 64 bit, or about €450 to buy a basic new laptop with no OS (Lenovo?), then a "real" laptop is best for Linux, but if REALLY cash strapped and buy a 512G SD card for user data and a HDD for backups (sata in USB 3.0 case), then a less than 2 year old Chromebook, or discounted new one can run most of what ordinary people want on Linux. The Linux programs mostly appear on the Launcher and easy to copy and edit a linux *.desktop file to add other Linux or WINE applications.