A chromebook requires no modification to run linux. They all run linux out of the box by definition.
Also even when you have developer mode enabled the stock chromebook firmware is a little annoying and won't boot until you press ctrl-d on the keyboard to confirm you agree to booting an unsigned image. There is no way to disable this behavior and it happens every single boot whether you want it or not. The Mr. Chromebox firmware this article mentions has to be flashed to a device to remove this annoyance and make the device boot like regular laptops.
Same for some chromeboxes, usually the screw is pretty easy to spot, look near the corners and near the ssd.
Yes, but what kernel is running before you do this? answer: linux.
Can the SecureBoot keys and Serial be overwritten, or are they e-waste after supported updates end and school districts are holding the bag for computers that the kids can't run `git --help` on?
"Developer mode" (aka the ChromeOS 'Turn on Linux' mode) is not available for Google FamilyLink accounts and is optional on a per-student basis with Chromebooks for Education.
We bought the students Chromebook "Linux" computers; and then Google locked them out of Linux and added a "Turn on Linux" button.
Students are no longer able to run bash, git, or python on their Chromebooks.
Students must only install approved apps from the "Play Store" which takes a 15-30% cut from paid apps and now must use GPay if they process payments. Students and FamilyLink accounts cannot "sideload an APKs" like they can "Install a package" on actual Linux, Mac, and Windows computers.
The SecureBoot kernel and module signing keys can be easily changed on all coreboot machines FWIU.
ChromiumOS was originally Gentoo, Gnome, and Chrome.
Students can't run `git --help`, `python`, or even `adb` on Chromebooks*.
(* Students can't run `git` on a Chromebook without transpiling to WASM (on a different machine) and running all apps as the same user account without SELinux or `ls -Z` on the host).
Students can run `bash`, `git`, and `python` on Linux / Mac / or Windows computers.
There should be a "Computers for STEM" spec.
It is a bait-and-switch shame that we bought Chromebooks for all of the kids and then they were home due to COVID, and they couldn't learn to git, bash, or python with pytest.
You cannot access anything ot change anything until you pill the write protect screw. I.e you have no access until you remove this screw. After you remove screw, a $17 jtag kit and a good image... ( First few images where 'cloud free' which I would rather consider it bricked .. ) then you can wipe the drive and start experimenting with Linux, and see just how awful the field is, of simply follow my recommendations. For these dell chrome books, Linux would be Zorin, windows would be win7 Mini, and now I can start with Mac os. I would start with lion or sierra.
In our case, the school district was holding the bag, but also it's a low priority to help hackers vs educating the students for which I would have loved to show the students how to do all those stuff, and the school district would rather not. Be a great education. )
Just so you know, both Zorin and Win7 run git --help. Let's see if I can get MacOS...
For one thing, ChromeOS refuses to pass through certain USB devices to the Linux container. So if you wanted to customize the settings in your gaming mouse or control a 3D printer, you're out of luck.
As for the mouse thing, the inability to install persistent malware in your pointing device may be viewed as a feature, frankly.
ChromeOS is technically Linux, but not what people are obviously referring to.