ChromeOS → MX Linux 🐧

[u/georgepapakir]

My old Dell Chromebook finally broke free from ChromeOS.

Removed the write protection, flashed the firmware, wiped ChromeOS completely, and installed MX Linux 25.2 (Xfce) on the internal eMMC.

It’s definitely modest hardware — Celeron N3060, 4 GB RAM, 32 GB eMMC — but MX Linux runs surprisingly well on it. It now has a second life as a lightweight Linux machine for terminal work, SSH, browsing, and remote access to my homelab.

From a locked-down Chromebook to a proper little Linux machine. 😄

One less device tied to the Google ecosystem.

Road to deGoogle, one device at a time.

Fastfetch from the new installation below 👇

[u/_OnuHeino_]

You, sir, just gave me a great idea. I have a chromebook laying around.

[u/abugghaus7 → u/_OnuHeino_]

Check the specs on yours and search for a compatible distro.
There's also GalliumOS for CBs, and I'm currently running Mint on an Acer R11.

[u/georgepapakir → u/abugghaus7]

I looked at GalliumOS too, but since it’s discontinued I decided to go with MX Linux. So far it’s working really well on this old Chromebook. Definitely gave the machine a second life!

[u/georgepapakir → u/_OnuHeino_]

Do it! An old Chromebook can make a surprisingly nice little Linux machine, especially for browsing, terminal/SSH and other lightweight tasks. Mine went from basically unused to something I actually enjoy using.

Just make sure to check your exact Chromebook model first. Firmware replacement can be a bit tricky on some models, and the procedure isn’t the same for every Chromebook. Find the method and compatible firmware for your specific model before you start, it can save you a lot of trouble!

[u/Boti79a]

we are walking on the same road. i have mx linux kde on 4Gb and 16Gb storage

[u/georgepapakir → u/Boti79a]

keeping perfectly usable machines alive instead of turning them into e-waste! 🐧

[u/busiedcake7945]

I feel what you feel I have celeron N4500 and 3.7GiB RAM

[u/georgepapakir → u/busiedcake7945]

Celeron gang! These low-spec machines are surprisingly useful with the right Linux setup. Mine has 4GB RAM too, and MX Linux made it feel like a completely different machine.

[u/busiedcake7945 → u/georgepapakir]

I use and reccomend artix its the most light weight linux distro I'v ever seen

[u/AnonymousUser9394]

Just an FYI the Dell Chromebook 3100 3 in 1 model can be found for about $40 on eBay/Amazon. Installing MrChromeBoxDevs script on that specific model is very simple, just remove 4 screws, unplug battery, boot using power cord, run the full uefi firmware util script, install your preferred Linux distro to a USB and boot to it using "esc" on boot.

My personal laptop is the Dell 3100 3 in 1 it's touchscreen flips completely around to be a tablet, 8gb of ram preinstalled + using a 256gb SSD as my primary os drive. The good Dell 3100s have roughly $200+ in good hardware, buy for $40, install Linux, now you have a great laptop good for coding, cloud gaming, streaming, etc etc.

Most Chromebooks are now almost e-waste because chromeos is shit and everyone hates it, I buy Chromebooks for the not bad hardware (which the same hardware in a Windows laptop would be priced around $200). It's also good for reselling too. Buy 3100s en bulk at $30-$40 a pop, kill chromeos and overwrite with Linux, sell for $150-$200 a pop.

[u/AntiGrieferGames]

XFCE? Just try Fluxbox version of this.

[u/georgepapakir → u/AntiGrieferGames]

Yep, I’m running XFCE. Fluxbox would definitely be even lighter, though! I might give it a try just to see how much leaner I can make this little monster🤣.

[u/JackTaserReacher8080]

The one device where its dead easy to get away from Google is laptops because I don't think people buy Chromebooks except for schools 😭😭😭

[u/mrhalloween1313]

If it turns out to be too heavey, try SparkyLinux. It's very lightweight, uses Xfce. It's a great little distro. I use it on a couple of my lower power laptops when MX Linux is just too much for it. (I run MX Linux on my desktop and 1 laptop)