Final month, I reported that the improve of Linux to Debian 12 on a Chromebook was almost right here. In the present day I used to be in a position to check it as a result of ChromeOS 121 brings the subsequent huge Linux improve to Chromebooks.
I up to date one among my gadgets to the ChromeOS 121 Dev Channel this morning and located this out. Google added a pleasant little notification nudge to inform me.
I made a decision to run by means of the method and located it fairly seamless.
To kick off the Linux improve from Debian 11 to 12, I clicked the notification that appeared. That took me to my Chromebook Settings, explaining the Debian 12 improve was accessible.
Clicking the “Improve” button on the above display began the method.
Google suggests that you simply again up your domestically saved Linux recordsdata. You possibly can modify the backup location however I left it set to the default.
After that, I clicked the “Improve” button, as proven under.
The method to again up your Linux information can take as much as half-hour, based on Google. The time will range primarily based on what number of Linux recordsdata you’ve gotten, after all.
In my case, the backup took roughly 5 minutes. Contemplating how a lot I exploit Linux on a Chromebook, I’m shocked it wasn’t longer.
As soon as the backup is full the Linux improve will proceed. Once more, Google says it will probably take as much as half-hour. I estimate it took about 10 on my 2022 Acer Chromebook Spin 714 laptop computer. If in case you have a Chromebook with slower CPU, you possibly can be ready no less than twice as lengthy.
I like how the precise instructions seem in the course of the Linux improve course of. I didn’t seize a picture of this as a result of they occur so shortly and there are such a lot of of them. They seem the place it says — START OF UPGRADE — within the above picture. Most individuals received’t care however I believed it was properly completed.
My Linux improve from Debian 11 to Debian 12 took roughly eight minutes to finish. Once more, your time will range primarily based on the efficiency of your Chromebook. As soon as accomplished, ChromeOS lets you already know and also you’re good to go.
I verified that my Linux apps nonetheless labored — they did — and that my Chromebook was working Debian 12 — it was. So the improve went with no hitch.
One suggestion I’d add for anybody that runs by means of the ChromeOS 121 Linux improve on Chromebooks: Clear out pointless packages from Linux afterwards. I did this utilizing the apt autoremove command and recovered greater than 230 MB of native disk storage on my Chromebook.
