With Google's operating system, what you see is what you get:a web browser, a few apps (built using the Chrome browser), and some web apps. The entire operating system is one of the lightest and most resource-poor operating systems. Enter Chromixium OS:It claims to be as lightweight and easy to use as Chrome OS. Does this Linux distro have what it takes to take over?
SummaryWhy you should check out Chromixium OSWhy you should forward Chromixium OSAdvantages / disadvantagesConclusionWhether tech-savvy people want to admit it or not, Chrome OS has real appeal. No other operating system on the market, other than perhaps Mac OS X, is as easy to set up and run. You log in with your Google credentials, your content is synchronized and that's it. For users who aren't looking to do advanced stuff, this is very compelling.
Unfortunately, Chrome OS is extremely locked to specific Google-approved hardware, so it's nearly impossible to share this user-friendly operating system with anyone with a laptop or desktop computer. That's where Chromixium OS comes in. If you really need a very lightweight and easy-to-use laptop operating system, and you don't have the option of installing Chrome OS on it, consider this option as your first option.
Ultimately, what this distro sells is the desktop environment. It is specially designed to look and act like Chrome OS. The operating system does a good job, for the most part. To the untrained eye, it's Chrome OS:very light on resources, but easy on the eye, persistent software updates that don't bother new users to install, and solid end-user support.
Chromixium might not be as well-known as Ubuntu Mate, or any of the other official Ubuntu Linux lightweight towers, but it's a formidable opponent, that's for sure.
The only real downside to this Linux distro is how young it is. It's a fairly new project, so the community is sparse compared to some larger, more mainstream Linux distributions. This may worry some. This is not an indictment of Chromixium; it is a wonderful project with interesting ideas. However, it should be noted that when talking about distro-specific communities, more is always better.
Where this distribution stands out is its ease of use for new users. Put this on your mom's computer, and she'll probably have no trouble finding where everything is - update and whatever. But that's mostly it, honestly. The distro does a better job as Chrome OS than Google at offering more diverse programs and apps that the Chrome OS lacks, and most end users will like that.
Nevertheless, if you are an experienced Linux user, there are much better lightweight Ubuntu rotations to choose from to accomplish your tasks. There are some that give you more freedom at the surface level (like Ubuntu Mate or Xubuntu). Chrome can also fill that void, but that's not what it was designed for. Advanced users should consider passing on this Linux distro unless they're fans of the look and feel of Chrome OS.
Advantages
The disadvantages
Chromixium OS is an interesting Linux distro designed for one purpose:to capture the simplicity of Google's Chrome OS and the prolific nature of Ubuntu and combine them. For the most part, it gets the job done and is a solid choice for those looking for a Google-like experience on their laptop or desktop.
What do you think of Chrome OS? Tell us in the comments below!
ChromixiumOS
