With Linux on a Chromebook, it’s a simple task to install a full desktop client for documents, spreadsheets, presentations and more. Perhaps those few features are key to your usage, though. Linux on a Chromebook gives you a full desktop productivity suiteĪt this point in time, most web-based productivity suites such as Google Docs and Office 365 are on par with their desktop counterparts, save for a few features here or there. However, there are some fairly common use-cases where it might make sense to flip that switch. And there’s no need to flip the switch that enables Linux on Chromebook support. If you can do everything you need to in a browser, or with Android apps, on your Chromebook, you’re all set. The other two are security and speed in case you’re ever on Jeopardy, by the way. After all, one of the three pillars - or “S’s” - of Chrome OS is simplicity.

I often get email questions or reader comments essentially asking “Why would (or do) you want to run Linux on a Chromebook? It just complicates what’s a simple device.” I follow my own advice: Use the tools you need to use.

Although much of my day is spent using the browser on my Chromebooks, I also end up using Linux apps quite a bit.

Libre for chromebook