I'm getting a Chromebook. Any tips?

UPDATE: This is a little awkward, but I managed to fix my Windows laptop, so this isn't really relevant anymore.

I'll be a university student next year, which means I'll need a good laptop to do some work on. I've decided I wanted to get a Chromebook for the lighter weight, lighter OS, and generally good battery life.
Now, I know that Chromebooks are a bit overpriced and I could get a laptop with the same specs for much cheaper, but the mismatching common architecture (x86 vs. ARM) would probably come with some problems if I wanted to install Chrome OS on a regular laptop. Also, even though I'm only looking for a basic internet browsing and document editing experience, Chrome OS nowadays supports Android and Linux apps natively, and thanks to Wine, Windows apps too, so even if I decided I wanted to do more on it, I could. Also also, I'm just curious about the platform in general; I already have a Windows PC and I like Google's ecosystem, so I'm curious as to how they do an OS that's meant to be used on devices other than smartphones.
Now, if I could get any Chromebook, I would go for a Pixelbook or a Pixelbook Go, but the Google Store has no Hungarian version and they don't seem to do international shipping (“To place an order, your delivery address must be in this region”). I don't have the money to buy a laptop in one go, so I will have to resort to more local options.
I was thinking about something in the HUF 200,000 (~€580/$650) range and my current choice is an Acer Chromebook 715, the best one I could find in this category.

I have three main inquiries.
- Do Pixelbooks have any exclusive features like Pixel phones? If so, can I install the Pixel version of Chrome OS to get them?
- Can I keep updating my device manually after the auto-update period ends?

If you have anything else to comment, please do. I would love some advice.
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Lacius
Once the update support period ends, you cannot receive updates, unless you install a different operating system.
 
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Friendsxix
I'm not entirely sure what you mean by mismatching architectures. There are Chromebooks sold with both x86 and ARM architectures. Google's own chromebooks tend to have i5s and i7s iirc.

Also, make of it what you will, but I've barely seen any Chromebooks in any of my university classes, and I'm a senior. I may have actually seen more hackintoshes than I have Chromebooks... :unsure: Surfaces and Macbooks are much more common, methinks. Of course, I also see generic Windows laptops all over the place (I personally have a ThinkPad. :D)

Depending on your major, you might need to install specific Windows/Mac software. Not having access to the software in the classroom might suck, depending on the instructor. STEM majors will probably have more of this.
 
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Nomi20
So Lacius, something really interesting has come out. It is a way to install Chrome OS on any computer. This also means if your Chromebook is out of date and still within pretty good specs you can flash a newer version of Chrome OS on it. I know this is more complicated than just pressing an update button but it is a good option if you need Chrome OS and your Chromebook is out of date. I personally prefer a lightweight Linux distro like Lubuntu but if you want to keep Chrome OS this is a good option.
 
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Lacius
@Nomi20 Yes you are correct, but it still requires installing a different operating system. In this situation, it would just be a different version of Chrome OS (CloudReady, etc.). I'd recommend installing a full-featured Linux distribution or a compatible version of Windows instead.
 
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Friendsxix
@leon315 I think most people that hackintosh do so because they hate (or can't afford) Apple's hardware but like the operating system. Some people also do it because they want to write programs targeting macOS or iOS without owning a real Mac.

I've still only seen around two or three of them total so far in my classes, though, if that gives any indication to how infrequently I see Chromebooks.
 
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PrincessLillie
Welcome to the Chrome OS club!
For the first point, I don't think so, but I could be completely wrong.
For the second point, you can't install the "Pixel version" of Chrome OS onto another device. Every specific chipset has a different build of Chrome OS for it, as displayed here.
And for the third point, once the update period ends, you can't update Chrome OS anymore at all. You can get a new device or install a third-party OS.

Here's a few tips:
Don't get a Celeron. Get a Pentium at least. Seems like the Acer 715 has a Core i3, so that shouldn't be much of an issue. (A Core i3 seems a bit overkill for a Chrome device though, my Pentium handles things quite well...)
Android and Linux support can be kind of iffy. Don't expect everything to work out of the box (snaps still don't install correctly) and don't be afraid to look for web-based alternatives. I personally use Photopea as a replacement for GIMP.
When your update period ends, consider installing GalliumOS (if your device supports it) instead of getting a new device altogether.
Consider comparing your options before buying. I used the Starry Hope Chromebook Comparison tool.
 
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matpower
If you do want a Chromebook (because it is as easy to manage as a browser), an ARM one will likely have the best battery life (but it won't do Wine/proprietary Linux software), but you can get an x86 for the usual compatibility. Check out this list for some solid recommendations.

Linux support is iffy-ish if you go through the official way, it is decent if you use Crouton and often works best if you dualboot. If you want Wine, you'll end up using those options sooner or later. Android support is also hit or miss and not all things will work. It is basically a big workaround to the lack of applications IMO. But you can always leverage your phone's hardware and use scrcpy to remote control it on any desktop.

IMO Chromebooks are crippled laptops, and if you are going to pay 650 dollars in one, I would rather recommend you to get a normal laptop like a ThinkPad, a Ryzen E485 is slim and is around 485 dollars on eBay, not sure how much it is locally. I personally own a X220 (which my Dad uses), a T440p (which my brother uses) and a T470 (that's mine) and they are all great machines, with the X220 being my first one and one of my favorite. The T440p is the most modular one and the T470, being the newest, has around 8-10 hours battery life.
 
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adeptape
i have an HP Intel Chromebook 14-q010dx,OOOOOLD. its in dev mode and am trying like hell 2 make it compatible with Linux. any help/suggestions would be appreciated. its not my primary device so i won't buy new unless i'm positive there's no way 2 jack/hack this pos and make it compatible with new programs. it's firnware is Google_Falco.4389.92.0 if that matteres. people have suggested Linux installs intended for other models. tempting,as there presently are NO mod methods online for my model. i want 2 link this ChromeBook to my Vita with CMA/QCMA but those are Windows/Mac programs. only been able to link through browser-based ftp (via VitaShell)which is HORRENDOUSLY slow. i've recently tried XFCE and Unity(via crouton). had text issues on XFCE and the web browser on Unity was non-functional. i thought XFCE was the lightest version,so now i have no idea what 2 try next.
 
adeptape
lol, i already did and no 1 cared 2 acknowledge it. thought this was intended 4 ChromeBook tips. sorry about your train wreck XD
 

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