# ChromeOS Linux (Crostini)

5 Hacker News commenters recommended ChromeOS Linux (Crostini) and 1 criticized it, November 2025 to November 2026. It was recommended in 3 of 13 months.

**Verdict:** Recommended for running a full Linux desktop with working window management and virtual desktops on a Chromebook, set up from the settings menu. One critic finds graphical apps unpleasant to use there.

## Why people recommend it

- Solid desktop integration and window management (2 comments): "The desktop environment has decent window management and support for virtual desktops which I use heavily." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47252172)) "The integration is very well done, and its evident you've never used it" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47374607))
- Daily work setup for Chromebook users (2 comments): "ChromeOS with the Linux VM is a surprisingly nice setup" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45940798)) "That's where I spend all my Chromebook work time" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48053376))

## Alternatives hackers recommend

- [QEMU](https://hackerapproved.com/p/qemu.md): 114 recommend
- [UTM](https://hackerapproved.com/p/utm.md): 49 recommend
- [VirtualBox](https://hackerapproved.com/p/virtualbox.md): 34 recommend
- [Lima](https://hackerapproved.com/p/lima.md): 31 recommend
- [Vagrant](https://hackerapproved.com/p/vagrant.md): 25 recommend

## Cite as

Hacker Approved, "ChromeOS Linux (Crostini)", https://hackerapproved.com/p/chromeos-linux-dev-vm/ (counts from 1,795,640 Hacker News comments, November 2025 to November 2026).