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chrx is a command-line Linux installer for Chromebooks. Its goal is to install Linux while keeping ChromeOS intact, allowing you to choose between ChromeOS and Linux at boot. It uses a two-stage process: the first stage allocates storage space for Linux and reboots, while the second stage installs the selected distribution and applies system configuration based on the chosen parameters.
Functionally, chrx focuses on automating the Linux installation process on Chromebooks. It supports GalliumOS, Ubuntu, Lubuntu, Xubuntu, Kubuntu, Edubuntu, and Fedora, and provides sample measurements for different distributions in terms of disk usage, memory usage, and installation time. GalliumOS is recommended by default because it is optimized for Chromebook compatibility and performance; Lubuntu and Xubuntu are also listed as suitable options for lightweight hardware. The command-line options are fairly extensive, allowing users to configure the distribution, desktop environment, version, architecture, mirror, target disk, hostname, username, language, and timezone. Additional packages can also be installed with -p, including Steam, Kodi, Minecraft, Google Chrome, or aliases for development and administration tools.
In terms of compatibility, the documentation explicitly supports several types of Intel Chromebooks, but models based on Bay Trail, Braswell, Apollo Lake, and similar platforms require firmware updates, while Broadwell, Skylake, and Kaby Lake systems are advised to update firmware. ARM support is described as highly unlikely. The project page provides a GitHub link, but the main text does not specify a license. The documentation is strong, covering installation steps, parameter examples, compatibility tables, distribution recommendations, testing criteria, security and privacy notes, and a changelog. It is well suited to users who are comfortable reading command-line documentation.
The text does not mention any paid plans, so it can generally be regarded as a free tool. Access from mainland China cannot be determined from the text. The installation process depends on chrx.org, distribution mirrors, and software repositories, so the actual experience may be affected by network connectivity to overseas sources. There is no payment-related information.
Its advantages include not requiring USB/SD installation media, preserving ChromeOS, offering rich customization options, and providing specific guidance for Chromebook use cases. Its drawbacks are that it requires Developer Mode and possibly firmware updates, and there is a supply-chain risk associated with running network scripts. In addition, the version history appears to stop in 2020, so users should verify the current maintenance status themselves. chrx is suitable for developers and advanced users who want to make full use of a Chromebook to run native Linux. If you only need to run Linux apps occasionally within ChromeOS, Crostini may be a better option; if you want to run ChromeOS and Linux at the same time, Crouton is worth considering; and if you do not need ChromeOS, a single-OS installation may be preferable.
⚠ This review is compiled from public sources and does not constitute a purchase recommendation. Verify all facts on the vendor's official site. Verify on chrx.org official site.
chrx.org is an United States Dev Tools provider. TG4G tracks its product information, an overall rating of 6.0/10, and a China-accessibility score of China direct-connect friendly. Click "Visit Official Site" to reach chrx.org directly.