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Samsung Chromebook Plus is second device to support Linux apps
- Users on Reddit discovered that the Samsung Chromebook Plus can now run Linux apps.
- This makes it the second Chromebook to have the ability, with the other being the Pixelbook.
- Getting Linux apps on the Chromebook Plus involves using experimental versions of the OS and applications.
The idea of Chromebooks (and Chrome OS in general) supporting Linux apps changes the game for the Chrome OS ecosystem. If Chromebooks support Linux apps there suddenly are so many more applications available to run, which makes Chromebooks a more robust competitor to Windows and Mac laptops.
Read Next: Chromebooks that run Android and Linux apps
However, the only Chromebook that supported Linux apps when Google announced the feature was the Pixelbook – probably the most expensive Chromebook on the market.
But some savvy Redditors just found that the much-more-reasonably-priced Samsung Chromebook Plus now supports Linux apps as well. It’s a little tricky to get them installed, but the support is there nonetheless.
In order to use Linux apps on your Samsung Chromebook Plus, you’ll need to opt-in to the developer’s build of Chrome OS. Once you do, you’ll have to install Linux apps using Terminal, which shouldn’t be that unfamiliar to you if you’re a Linux user.
Follow the complete instructions in the original Reddit thread here.
In the future, this process will likely be simplified and applicable to the stable version of Chrome OS. But for now, at least it works!
Google is likely testing the waters with Linux apps on Chrome OS for an eventual wide rollout. However, considering Google only announced the Linux capability a month ago and it’s already available on two systems means that it probably won’t take too long for that to happen.
Are you a Chrome OS user who’s excited about the potential of using Linux apps? Let us know in the comments!
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