The operating system that Google designed for its Chromebooks has several positive aspects, but if you discover that you need to step out of the sandbox for a while, the challenge can be much bigger than you might imagine. Fortunately, we have something like Crouton Integration. Once installed, this extension allows running a Linux environment “side by side” with Chrome OS, in a dedicated window.
All Chromebooks come with an underlying message. That message tells us that, with the right tools, the Web is capable of covering every need a user might have, essentially turning the computer into a terminal. The theory is good, but in practice, the situation for Chromebooks is very different. In most cases, web apps are not as robust as their offline counterparts, causing several tasks to fall beyond the reach of Chrome OS. At this point, you might consider completely replacing the operating system, but the Mountain View giant has certain reservations about that. Some guides on the Web help with installing alternative systems; however, you always lose a bit of compatibility along the way.
The software called Crouton has tried to balance user demands by providing the resources to run a version of Linux alongside Chrome OS. Technically, this is not traditional virtualization, since it accesses the hardware natively. The difference is that, with the new Crouton Integration extension, users can run Linux inside a window, avoiding the need to jump from one operating system to another. Of course, the only thing this extension achieves is to improve the integration between the two operating systems. The installation process for Crouton is as complicated as ever, and as a first step it requires putting the Chromebook into Developer Mode, which represents a security risk that users must weigh.
The installation of Crouton Integration is done from the Chrome Web Store. The original message on Google Plus that announced the release of the extension includes a summarized installation guide, but the complete edition for getting Crouton running is here. I insist: it is not something simple, although the possibility of “enclosing” a Linux environment within a window has its appeal. All those who need to escape from Chrome OS for a moment will surely take a look.
Download Crouton Integration:
