How I survive as a digital nomad with a $150 chromebook
A lot of my friends are wondering: how the hell do I survive working and traveling as a digital-nomad with just a $150 Chromebook. Here’s how.
It’s an Intel device
I have an Acer C720P Chromebook powered by an Intel processor and a built-in two gigabyte memory (RAM).
It’s not cutting edge, specs-wise. But it’s enough to get by with the usual browsing, emailing and other computer-demanding tasks.
Technically it’s just your typical netbook except the hardware is fine-tuned to its intended operating system: ChromeOS
ChromeOS + Google account synchronization (carrying the Google brand) = Google Chromebook
If you remove Google synchronization, it’s just ChromeOS — the open source project tied to the Chromium browser (another open source project).
Linux runs on it
This is where the fun starts. ChromeOS is basically just an operating system that runs & serves what you see in your computer via the Chrome browser.
And if you’re tech-savvy enough … you can sort of ‘jailbreak’ your chromebook so you can run other operating systems on it.
Enter, crouton.
Run Linux desktop apps ‘in’ or ‘on’ a browser tab
Because of crouton, I’m able to run regular desktop apps by loading them into a browser-tab.
Skype. VLC. Spotify. Inkscape, GIMP, Beyond Compare, FileZilla, LibreOffice — apps that run in your favorite linux distribution works just fine — even faster than their Windows-installed counterparts.
Non-intel devices will probably (and most definitely) have problems compiling or installing the linux/desktop apps due to architecture or runtime incompatibility.
That’s the beauty of having an Intel-powered Chromebook.
I emphasize to my dear friends: get an Intel-powered laptop to avoid having problems with your favorite desktop apps.
Battery lasts longer
As a digital nomad, I work anywhere.
Any? Where?
Airports. Bus terminals. Buses. Boats. Islands. Cafés. You get the picture.
When you’re traveling, it’s guaranteed you won’t be able to recharge battery — especially in remote islands.
I have to prepare presentations for volunteer work activities. Or write a little while traversing the ocean before arrive the next island. Book flights for the next trip. Or skype my clients explaining how I got stranded and couldn’t make it to our online meeting.
As a diver on a liveaboard trips, I tend to check or download my videos from the underwater camera. Because, sharks. Shipwrecks too.
This is when I feel happy having a Chromebook.
Battery lasts up to 7 hours (straight use with 50% screen brightness) and it lasts days of on/of idle usage.
Close the lid of the laptop for immediate stand-by mode: in split seconds. If you’re a Windows, Mac or Linux user (regular laptops) — you know you’re going to have to wait up to 20+ seconds just for your machine to sleep.
Open the lid and you’re back to what you’re doing. Split seconds.
Because of energy efficiency, the battery chemistry also lasts a bit longer than their non-ChromeOS counterparts.
My chromebook as of this writing has 10.44% report wear-level (you can run `sudo power_supply_info` or `battery_firmware info`) in 3 years of regular / daily usage.
NOTE: I follow the 40–90 charging rule. Which means I charge the battery at 41% remaining. I immediately unplug at around 91%.
No viruses
I don’t have to deal with endless and frustrating Windows updates just to secure my device. It notifies you to download the latest Google Chrome whenever ready. You can also switch between stable, beta, and dev channels if you feel like it.
Files go to the cloud
Like random notes, small files, and invoices: store them in the cloud.
My favorites: StackEditor (for my technical-writing or documentation). CalmlyWriter (for my serious and meditative writing)
Web development tools runs fine
Run the lamp stack (apache, nginx, php) via crouton. Assuming you know how this works, you’re guaranteed access to your web development tools. This will be the focus in another mini-blog.
I want to try ChromeOS too!
Did I get your attention now? Then go ahead and test-run your machine with ChromeOS on a USB stick. Check out Neverware’s CloudReady for more information on this.
Questions are welcome. If you’re in the Philippines and would like to invite me for personal coaching or consulting — send me a message on my google-plus or twitter for scheduling.
