How to install Kubuntu on Chromebook

[nobadmojo]

I have no idea why it is so easy to install Kubuntu and other Linux on a Windows machine but so hard to on a Chromebook.

I would like to install Kubuntu on a Chromebook. I realize I cant do this with Chrostini, but think I can using Chroot? Is there someone that knows how to do this in 2024 or 2025 please? or I could even wipe Chrome OS and have it as a dedicated Kubuntu mACHINE. I have another chromebook

The machine I have is up to the task. It's a Lenovo Yoga Chromebook with 16ram, 120drive, Core i7-8550u, touchscreen.

Any help please? Thanks

[claydoh]

You either enable the Linux 'container' in Chrome OS, This is a command-line environment, but where you can install applications that usually are incorporated in Chrome OS' menus. I use it to add Firefox on my Chromebooks that still run ChromeOS, for example.

or, if you are not using an Arm-based device, you need to modify or replace your firmware to allow dual booting, or for replacing Chrome OS entirely.

start here
https://docs.chrultrabook.com/
and also read here about the firmware, for more info than the above might provide
https://docs.mrchromebox.tech/docs/getting-started.html

The first link should have enough info to get you going. But for audio, which likley won't work out of the box, their provided script does not support Ubuntu and Ubuntu-based distros, so needs an edit to allow it to do its thing on Kubuntu

The hardest part imo will be disabling write-protect, which usually involves opening the case for either a jumper or temporary battery disconnect.
All covered in the two links above.

if you are using an Arm based chromebook, it will be..........difficult, and not so much for the Linux newcomer. These often have device -specific needs and/or custom building.

[nobadmojo]

Thanks for your help. This would be quite the undertaking. I was able to install KDEPlasma with all the apps using Chrostini in this Chromebook. So I can get on Firefox that way. I just cant use the Plasma desktop, but the terminal and apps seem to work in a virtual machine environment. I need to test more. So I think I will call this good enough. I have a dual boot Kubuntu/Win 11th desktop workstation machine and really enjoy using Kubuntu when I want to do serious work. I also produce music and am trapped using windows for that because I have a lot of Kontakt instruments and cant get them to work in Linux..I would really like to rid myself of Windows forever. have a good one down under..appreciate your help.

[claydoh]

Crostini is a container, not virtualization. It uses lxc, which is very much like Docker. It is separated from the main OS, but still uses its kernel etc. It has holes poked through, if you will, for file access, and networking tools such as VPNs installed in Chrome OS as Android apps are shared.

So, overhead for this is much much lower then you'd think, since it isn't emulating or using software renditions if hardware.