Linux is coming to Google’s Chromebook Pixel.
Hours after the company announced its new premium Web-browsing laptop on Thursday, Feb. 21, Google software engineer Benson Leung mentioned on Google+ that he’s patching the Linux kernal to support the Pixel’s hardware.
The option to run Linux on the Pixel might be enough to convince consumers to purchase the new, gorgeous, if overpriced flagship Chromebook. The new notebook, built and designed in-house by Google, boasts impressive features and a jaw-dropping touch screen.
The Pixel is also fast, featuring an Intel core i5, dual-core 1.8GHz processor. Engadget had good things to say about the laptop, calling it “possibly the finest Chromebook yet.” The site also praised the 2560 x 1700 resolution screen: “Photos pop, text is crystal clear and at 400-nits, everything is stunningly bright.”
But its price ($1,299-$1,449) may be too high considering the Pixel’s paltry options of a 32 GB and 64 GB. Of course, Google is also offering one TB of Google Drive storage on the Cloud for three years in addition to the computer’s SSD, but its tiny physical storage may be too small for the heavy users Google is courting with the Pixel. Still, being able to boot Linux in addition to the Chrome OS may bring those users to the Chromebook Pixel.
Leung updated the Linux kernal mailing list with patches for Linux support for the Pixel’s touchscreen, touchpad and ambient light sensor. Full Linux support on the machine is still probably a way off, but who knows? The fact that Google has already begun the process could give Linux users hope of seeing the Pixel running on the Linux kernel.
The Chromebook Pixel is available for order and is scheduled to ship in April.
