Will Linux Come To Acer R13 CB5-312T-K5X4?

So my daughter really wants to play Minecraft, she has the CB5-312T-K5X4. I see that Chromebooks are starting to get Linux in the Beta development channel and that is required for Minecraft on Chromebooks so I turned that on, updated to the newest version and it still isn't there. Is this going to be coming? Are updates rolled out gradually to various models like on Android phones? Does Acer have to approve the update getting rolled out like Samsung has to tweak and release Android updates to their devices?

I am aware of the possibility of Crouton to manually put Linux on a Chromebook but reading up on that some it looks like it requires going to the Development channel, powerwashing the chromebook and a lot more hoops I'm not ready to jump through if waiting a month or three will get Linux without all that extra hassle. It also sounds like since this has eMMC that the Crouton route might not work? I wasn't aware this was a concern when I ordered this thing or I would have looked at other options. It seems like a bad choice on a manufacturer's part to use eMMC if it is a handicap to using/upgrading the device for the enduser. This is our first Acer purchase and I'm really hoping the eMMC doesn't result in buyers remorse.

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JackE

An interesting read for you. https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/comment/593141/#Comment_593141

Like Windows, it's best to install Linux alongside ChromeOS if you can. As far as the notorious eMMC lack-of-space issues, they can often be avoided with an NTFS partitioned stick or SD card to provide the extra temp space needed to complete upgrades and updates. Jack E/NJ

LostOne

That is interesting, it looks like Crostini is an alternative to Crouton? However, it doesn't answer my question if anyone knows if official Linux support will come to the R13 (CB5-312T-K5X4) or if it will forever be on the not-getting-linux list because of eMMC?

Because if it will be getting native support I don't want to hack linux in an addon.

JackE

>>> if anyone knows if official Linux support will come to the R13 (CB5-312T-K5X4)>>>

Let me try to re-phrase your query. Does anyone *know* with 100% certainty if ACER support for native linux on your particular machine is forthcoming?

NO.

Jack E/NJ

billsey

You are likely in too much of a hurry. Google just announced future support of Linux on Chromebooks via Crostini in May. It'll probably take several months or more before they list which models will get it, then more months to actually implement it. You can watch the Google announcements and wait or go the Crouton route for an unsupported implementation.

LostOne

Thank you. I wasn't sure how these things rolled out.

JackE

And neither do we. Most of us here are clueless users.

Jack E/NJ

TheComputerNerd

Good News! I have been on Dev channel and Linux option was there! Btw, Minecraft is also on google play store,

Greetings,

TheComputerNerd

LostOne

TheComputerNerd said:

Good News! I have been on Dev channel and Linux option was there! Btw, Minecraft is also on google play store

Good news about the Linux. When I tried to do Minecraft from the playstore on the R13 previously it wasn't showing up. I got the impression when trying to research it that Minecraft support for android tablets was either very hit/miss or gone and the app was pulled. Maybe that was a temporary thing? I'll have to look again. Nope, still doesn't show as an Android app on the play store when searching from the R13. So still waiting for Linux in Beta level.

wis

If you've not switched to Dev channel, here is a tutorial.

LostOne

I know how, already switched it to the beta channel. Isn't the Dev channel more likely to be unstable?

JackE

Of course, relatively speaking. But the absolute levels of instabilities are probably quite low to begin with for all channels. Try it if you're a bit adventuresome. The risk of going back is simply a powerwash. Jack E/NJ

TheComputerNerd

I'm in developer channel.

It is actually pretty stable,

but heavy apps are more likely to crash %25. As simple chromebook user (not really gaming, no photoshop and more) you can update to developer channel, but it needs a powerwash. If your a advanced chromebook worker (Gaming, Photoshopping, High Performance Tasks) then you have to decide, Its stable enough, along with some (heavy) apps crashes.

Greetings,

TheComputerNerd

wis

Worse thing that can happen is a Reinstall, which takes a mere 10 minutes; after personal files have been saved & Chrome browser has been synchronized. As long as you don't fiddle around in Developer Mode, there should be no catastrophes. Even if you became entangled in Developer Mode by mistake, just Reinstall.

LostOne

TheComputerNerd said:

If your a advanced chromebook worker (Gaming, Photoshopping, High Performance Tasks) then you have to decide, Its stable enough, along with some (heavy) apps crashes.

My daughter is playing a lot of Roblox, I assume the android app version. Not sure if that qualifies as heavy user or not but it does seem to push the limits of the hardware sometimes. She was annoyed the last time I did a power wash on it so I'll hold off on that at least until the next time there's a security update requiring it.

TheComputerNerd

Answer on previous question : Since chromebooks are not powered for 3D-games it would have performance lacks.
I have ROBLOX to on my chromebook.

Its runs pretty nice,

but if you play a very heavy game in roblox then you get much game lag and screen freezing then roblox would crash, or it will cause a Chromebook freeze (chromebook doesn't respond to anything except closing chromebook and hard-restart).
I will consider that as %75 heavy user.