Chromebook came a foresighted way from just be given the Chrome web browser . It opened a door for a lot of possibilities when it take up supporting Android apps . But still , some of the Android apps are not well optimize and they lack in few features compare to Windows and Mac ’s apps . On top of that , we still ca n’t rule some professional apps like Photo editor in chief , telecasting editor program , tools to develop apps , games , etc .
AsChromeOS now indorse Linux appstoo , it solve most of those problems , Linux apps are developed for the background layout and offer full - fledge functionality . We can also use many apps like Android Studio to develop apps that we ca n’t before .
To get start out , firstcheck if your Chromebook supports Linux . All Chromebooks do n’t support Linux , there are somehardware and software system requirements , but if you may see Linux selection in the System preferences , you may view your Chromebook will support . If it does , you ask to enable it . To do so , openSettingsand deform on the option Linux underLinux ( Beta),it will show you a tonic - up whether to instal Linux or not , flick on Install and await for few minutes for Linux to get download and install .
Best Linux Apps for Chromebook
After enable Linux , you’re able to see a terminal in your app draftsman which can serve you to put in , update , remove apps .
1. GIMP
GIMP is a popular Photoshop alternative , and since , Photoshop does n’t work on Linux , we can use GIMP for photo editing needs . It ’s destitute , open - source and has most of the option which Photoshop has .
The User Interface see quite different than Photoshop and fall with a bite of a acquisition curve , but anyhow you’re able to access cleartutorials on their website .
It is also a resource - thirsty app just like Photoshop and did n’t influence well in ourASUS Chromebook Flip C101 . So carry it on a powerful Chromebook likePixelbookwould be a better thought .
To install , launch the terminal and type the undermentioned command . It will take a few minutes to download and install GIMP .
Also register : Best Photo editors for Chromebook
2. Sublime Text or gedit
Both Sublime Text and gedit are great textbook redaction apps for coding . you could use either of them if you are front for any computer code editing apps on your Chromebook .
Sublime text is like a feature of speech - packed app , you get a miniskirt - map of your entire structure , can select multi - line and edit , auto - complete , etc . Where as gedit is a minimum looking computer code editor .
Both are light - weight , fast and also devoid to use . you could also establish the Visual Studio Code on the Chromebooks , but it is a heavy app to make it run swimmingly . As Sublime Text and gedit are sluttish apps , we ca n’t find such much lag .
To set up , open up the terminal and type the following commands .
3. Kdenlive
Kdenlive is one of the most popularAdobe Premiere Pro alternativesfor Linux .
We can incur all the features starting from multi - track video editing to effects and passage . It can be also used as audio editing software system . As most Chromebooks are not power - efficient , it ’s knockout to bleed on most of them . They still do work but will a raft of lag and immediate closedown . As Kdenlive provides you reflex backup , you will be fine with your work .
To install , open up the terminal and just type
4. Transmission
While there is no shortfall ofBit Torrent client on the Play Store , Linux has a separate folder , and its easier to download file cabinet for Linux apps into the Linux folder instead of shift them to the Linux folder every prison term . And that ’s where transmittance comes in . It ’s one of the most democratic Bit Torrent clients .
However , since you are melt Linux on a virtual loge , there is one caveat , you may not download torrents directly from the magnetized link like you do on Windows or Mac . Rather you have to upload the torrent data file to the client or transcript - library paste the magnetized link to download it .
But you may use the magnetised link to download if you are browsing from any Linux app . For example , Firefox for Linux
To install , open terminal and eccentric
5. Firefox
Google Chrome works fine on Chromebook , however , if you require to use some other web internet browser , adjudicate Firefox Linux Version . What separates it from the Firefox Android app , is the desktop - like tab port .
In addition to this , it also figure out other small problems that you look with Google Chrome . For example , the in - build Chrome does not have a dear connection with the Linux apps we are download , Transmission is one such example . Moreover , Linux apps have a freestanding booklet and you may not access all the file cabinet while using Linux apps , every metre you require to copy - paste files to the Linux folder to use them from the Linux apps .
So you may just download using Firefox which is a Linux app to download . This comes to handy when you are using a draw of editing Linux apps .
To install , type
If that does n’t work , you may render
6. FileZilla
FileZilla is a popular FTP client for transferring single file from local automobile to web server and vice versa .
You have severalFTP node for Android , but they were not as pop as FileZilla . Moreover , FileZilla offers a Pro edition for users who need additional protocol funding for divine service like Amazon S3 , Dropbox , OneDrive , etc .
To set up , just typecast
7. Android Studio
Android studio apartment by Google is a popular toolkit to create your own Android apps , but it still ca n’t run on Google ’s own Chromebook without enable Linux .
run an Android studio on Chromebooks throw body of work so easier than running on Windows or Mac . As Chromebooks can run Android apps , we can suss out the app natively on the same equipment instead of depending on emulators or external devices .
Installing an Android Studio on Chromebook is an easygoing operation . Justdownload the .deb file on the Android Studiowebsite . give the file and click install on the pop - up . Android Studio will get installed with - in moment . And here are the canonical requirements for your Chromebook to launch the Android Studio
8. Gnome Software Center
Unfortunately , Linux does n’t have an auto - update feature or even notify you about that , you need to chequer on your own by typing“sudo apt - get update”and checker and update them by typing“sudo apt - get update & & sudo apt - get update ”
Moreover , we do n’t have any App Store to download apps easy .
Gnome can help you with that . you may retard the updates for the Linux apps within the app and can also play as a Linux App Store .
To set up , type the next dictation .
you may also observe some other apps along with the software program center in the app drawer , they are just packages and installers used by Gnome software sum . Do not uninstall them , they are helpful to tend the Gnome app .
If you are n’t examine any apps on the store , you’re able to try these 2 codes and then reboot .
I have tried to admit the apps which have some add functionality over the Android apps or the once which we can not install from the Play Store .
May most of these apps may not be for normal sidereal day - to - twenty-four hours usance as most of such apps can be download from the child’s play Store well . Apps like LibreOffice , Steam also bring , but we already have Google DoC and Microsoft Office on the Play Store which are well optimized for the Chromebook and we also have an Android app for steam .
I have also try some other apps like Unity , Discord , Wireshark , Hanbreak , etc as Linux is still in beta version on Chrome , it can only run file available in .deb version .
