>use Windows for about a decade, including programming >try

Because microsoft isn't allowed to include compilers like gcc for anti-trust reasons, and all the ports from unix compilers are garbage.

Windows is far and away the best for Java development though.

>>55429153
>I'm talking about using crouton to essentially run linux on a cheap ass laptop
Buy a C201 and libreboot it.

You get autism-approved free as in freedom machine

>>55429219
Thanks for the recc, is this fine?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0107N7X5E/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_1?pf_rd_p=569136327&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B00VUV0MG0&pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_r=X8Z8A0NXJHFPX4JGG5F3

If so, I'll buy it now.

>>55429153
you will get better value for your money buying a thinkpad/hp/dell business laptop that is a couple of years old. Plus you wont need to use crouton but a proper install of Linux.

>>55429200
ive had no issues doing java dev on linux with intellij, why do you think windows is better?

>>55429274
For me, the advantage of crouton on chromebook is that I use google products a lot for work. Being able to switch between a distro and chrome os is a big plus. At £200, it's not costly either

>>55429200
but intellij is cross-platform

>>55429345
yeah but that C201 has a shitty rockchip cpu that is slow as fuck. You can get an i7 thinkpad or elitebook for under £200 which will destroy that chromebook. then just run Chrome on Linux and you have a full Linux distro with the same browser as ChromeOS.

>>55429436
If I can really get that kind of thinkpad cheap, I would choose it over chromebook even without chromeos.

But finding a good source is difficult with the bigger vendors taking up the majority of search results, and most other recommendations here are for the US, where shipping makes it less cheap. Any recommendations for UK sites?

>>55429485
i have bought a few from gumtree. I picked up a T420s for £180 with an i7-2640M, 8GB RAM and stuck a 500GB Samsung EVO 850 SSD in it and this thing is amazing. Runs Ubuntu and Fedora perfectly out of the box.

>>55429587
I'll look through gumtree as well then, cheers.

>>55429590
just had a look, loads of t420 under £200 with way better specs than any chromebook.

>>55429200
>Because microsoft isn't allowed to include compilers like gcc for anti-trust reasons
wait is that actually true?

File: 1463113963795.gif (3MB, 320x457px) Image search: [Google]

3MB, 320x457px

>>55430114
Yes.
Microshaft considers the GPL to be evil.
I think Ballmer or one of his henchmen called it compared it to a viral disease or something along those lines.

>>55430114
if they can't include gcc, why not clang?

>>55429200
there is nothing stopping microsoft including gcc except themselves. in a way they are with the new bash on ubuntu on windows thing coming soon to windows 10

>>55429153
>are chromebooks a meme?
yes
get a x220 instead

>>55430250
blamer called it both a virus and a cancer