Gregory's Server@mcc These convert to Linux laptops very nicely. How much would schools save by converting them instead of buying new hardware?
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20 comments
@camstonefaux @mcc That certainly solves the expiration date problem! The article highlights a few ecosystem issues (parts availability and price, software) - feels like these are all solvable? One Laptop Per Child, Version 2.0? @camstonefaux @mcc 100% agreed. My guess is that it's an IT security/liability thing. It's an unpatched threat surface, so it puts the rest of the network at risk if it's not updated. @dulanyw @camstonefaux @mcc From my POV it's just the smartphone business model applied to computers. Designed to fail, it'll be obsolete in a few years when it can't run modern apps even if you can still make calls etc. Planned obsolescence to keep people chasing the newest thing. @blubfeesh @camstonefaux @mcc Absolutely. And electronics (on average) don't last forever. I just wish something that schools are pouring *billions* into lasted longer than a few years because of *software*. @mcc @dulanyw @blubfeesh Heresy! Next you’ll want it to be an upgradable frameworx laptop…. hold on a minute… did I just say what I think I said? @camstonefaux @mcc @dulanyw Legit considering one if I ever come into money again lol Do wish it came in colors other than silver though, maybe if they get popular enough eventually they'll see a thriving aftermarket like the Steam Deck has. @camstonefaux @mcc @dulanyw Gimme' the 13 with a see-thru blue casing iBook Clamshell style... :P  @tshirtman @mcc It wasn't clear how hard they were really looking. I just put Manjaro on a 2018 Samsung Chromebook 2 and it rules. The process isn't simple, and involves software named like "Mr Bob's Chromebook Unfucker" - but, again, feels like a solvable problem. @dulanyw @mcc maybe i should find such a machine for cheap (shouldn't be too hard if they are unsupported) to see how it goes, though it's unlikely to be better than even my aging thinkpad, so it would be more like a project than anything useful 😅. But good to know that there are decent solutions, it's quite sad to see working hardware get destroyed instead of being useful to people. @tshirtman @mcc I've seen some units on Woot.com for around $60, and I'm sure Craigslist and Ebay likely have some good deals, too. The instructions on the GalliumOS website will get you through reflashing the BIOS - and then you can install whatever distribution you want. It's fun (in the "installing Linux on a non-Linux computer" sense of fun)!  @dulanyw @tshirtman @mcc I used mr. chromebox nothing so devilishly vulgar as Chromebook unfucker. Even if that’s what it did. @tshirtman @dulanyw @mcc You mean the users who don't pay to use them? I convert my old Windows laptops to Linux when they get bogged down with Windows. They feel like a new computer on Linux.  @tshirtman @dulanyw @mcc Most people hate a new os at first. That’s nobody’s fault. You just push through. |
@dulanyw @mcc -have you seen the way kids treat their chromebooks… after three years, you’re lucky if they turn on.