Acer C7 Chromebook updates
No one noticed the post at the end of my thread, as the thread was worn out. :)
"I've now decided that I would like an Acer C7 Chromebook, except that I don't know if it would be possible to jump to a newer release once it comes out. (Trisquel 7) If updates will work smoothly, then I will probably buy a Chromebook.
Has anyone else gone this route, and if so, how well has it worked out?"
http://trisquel.info/en/forum/free-software-compatible-laptop-0?page=2#comment-36235
I am wondering if a Chromebook running Trisquel could smoothly update, and if anyone else has a Chromebook running Trisquel, and how well it has worked for them.
'What do you mean by "smoothly updates" ?'
Not needing to reinstall Chrubuntu then re-trisquelize it for every LTS release.
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Assuming there is nothing special about the system Trisquel should work on it like any other x86 system. There shouldn't be a problem upgrading. I don't know if its fully supported now though. There may be bugs here or there pertaining to this system.
This chromebook uses Coreboot, which can't boot off media in the normal way, because it doesn't use SeaBIOS. mYself pointed out that the way to install Trisquel was to put Chrubuntu on the Chromebook, then turn it into Trisquel with the 'Trisquelizer' script.
I have been assuming that the functions (wireless) work, as he recommended it as a free software compatible laptop. If it wouldn't work it would be quite disappointing. :(
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I just purchased an Acer C7 Chromebook. I followed the suggestion of mYself: run the ChrUbuntu script, and then run the Trisquelizer script. It took a while to complete, but everything went pretty well.
3D graphics and the Atheros 9462 WiFi card work. The specs online don't say that the C7 has a Bluetooth chip, but the WiFi was "on" after the first boot, so I got confused. It does not turn on anymore, so there probably isn't any Bluetooth chip after all, but I'll have to check. The webcam works with Cheese, at least. Hibernate does not work at the moment with the 3.2 kernel, but suspend works fine.
My main complaint is the touchpad. It seems to work fine with ChromeOS, but in Trisquel (and even in ChrUbuntu IIRC), if feels rather finicky. It's like using a resistive touch screen after using a capacitive one; also a bit like the XO-1's touchpad. You could get used to it, though. Or just use a mouse.
Hibernate is disabled by default on Ubuntu Precise. You can enable it by following those instructions:
http://www.howtogeek.com/113923/how-to-re-enable-hibernate-in-ubuntu-12.04/
Great choice! In my opinion, if you want some current generation hardware, with the best price/performance ratio, the C7 model is still the top choice (at least until the new Haswell based model doesn't come out).
At this point, the Google Chromebooks are the only commercially available computers shipping Coreboot by default (although blobbed, because Intel doesn't want to release source code for their microcodes). This is not ideal, I know, but there isn't better alternative if you want to use recent hardware (maybe we should crowdfund a Coreboot-libre spin off, that will focus primarily on providing fully libre BIOS images for Chromebook devices, like Replicant).
This model is hardware-wise, in my opinion, the best combination of freedom compatible hardware that can be achieved for the price. The only real (end-user) problem, is the lack of SeaBIOS, which would allow installation directly using ISO images. The closest alternative to Chromebooks, is the Thinkpad T60/p, and X60/s models, which comes with proprietary BIOSs by default, but it's possible to replace them with a Coreboot image, that doesn't require any proprietary blobs.
Here are some pros and contras of this model:
Pros
- working 3D acceleration (Intel graphics)
- working WiFi (supported by ath9k)
- upgradeable HDD/SSD
- upgradeable memory (up to 16GB)
- no Intel vPro
- Coreboot (with Intel binary blobs) + U-Boot
- price/performance ratio (cca $200 + shipping, depending on model)
- high-definition screen (1366x768)
Cons
- lack of SeaBIOS (Trisquel is installable only through ChrUbuntu)
- bluetooth will not work* (external adapter is needed)
- possibly something other, I am not aware about
If you have trouble with some hardware parts (like the touchpad), don't despair. Using some Linux-kernel parameters, or upgrading the kernel will work most of the time, so try to search, and follow some guides available on Internet, and ask for help here too.
Also note, that if something works on Ubuntu (or in this case ChrUbuntu), it will work on Trisquel too. It's just about your time, and dedication to figure out how to do it. But because the Acer C7 model is a viable choice for most of the people seeking for a cheap laptop that will work with Trisquel, it would be great to make a dedicated wiki page for this model, including tips, workarounds, and solutions for possible problems, that can/will arise, when installing Trisquel (I give my full support on this).
Some recommended upgrades you should consider
- upgrade the kernel
- buy an external bluetooth USB dongle (if you need bluetooth)
- upgrade memory, at least to 4GB (2GB is recommended the minimum; you need more if you want to do some memory intensive task, especially web browsing)
- upgrade harddisk to a cheap 128GB SSD (you probably need to disasseble the SSD, to take out the mainboard, because the replacement drive may not fit)
To upgrade to a newer 3.5 kernel, just open a new Terminal window (press [Ctrl]+[Alt]+[T]), and execute
sudo apt-get update sudo apt-get install linux-image-generic-lts-belenos
To remove the old 3.2 kernel, that comes by default, enter
sudo apt-get remove linux-image-3.2
Maybe you want to also try the Chrome OS operating system shipped with your computer. In this case you should try Chromium OS, which is practically Chrome OS minus the non-free stuff, but while Chrome OS is fully proprietary, Chromium OS remains free/libre (although it probably contains some non-free parts, mainly the Linux-kernel). You can download pre-built images here (bootable from a USB flash key).
Some links you may like:
Information about the assembled Foxconn T77H348.02 wireless card (Atheros AR5B22 based)
http://wikidevi.com/wiki/Atheros_AR5B22
In-depth information about the Acer C7 Chromebook (codenamed Parrot)
http://dev.chromium.org/chromium-os/developer-information-for-chrome-os-devices/acer-c7-chromebook
Picture of Acer C7 mainboard (top)
http://dev.chromium.org/chromium-os/developer-information-for-chrome-os-devices/acer-c7-chromebook/acer-c7-top-guts.jpg
Picture of Acer C7 mainboard (bottom)
http://dev.chromium.org/chromium-os/developer-information-for-chrome-os-devices/acer-c7-chromebook/acer-c7-bottom-guts.jpg
Can you provide the configuration number (C710-XXXX) of your C7 model you bought?
Thanks,
Peter
* The bluetooth functionality is integrated on the wifi card, and as Chris previously mentioned, it should not work due to the dependence of a non-free firmware (this is highly possible, but I cannot confirm it myself). You should buy an external mini USB adapter if you require this feature.
EDIT: Since this is a new computer, it's probably not yet filled with a good set of applications. Because the hardware is only as good as the software that runs on it, here you will find my recommendations from the software side, including installation instructions, license analysis, and more. Enjoy!
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It's a C710-2847. I just found out that it's a 64-bit installation by default following the ChromeOS->ChrUbuntu->Trisquel upgrade path. I prefer 32-bit, but I am not sure whether it's possible with ChrUbuntu. It took me a while to get it setup to my liking (removing that yucky unity-greeter and Trisquelizing the gdm theme).
There is this video where someone got to run GRUB on the C7: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKylYaWbb-E&html5=1
They might be close to figuring out how to install other OS's on the C7 "normally". I hope they do, as that "OS verification" screen at bootup is starting to annoy me.
You might be interested to check these links where they have posted pre built coreboot binaries for Acer C7. And some users have tested by flashing their C7s..
Read the comments, those are more informative..
## Binaries here
http://johnlewis.ie/pre-built-coreboot-firmware-for-chromebooks/
##Read the comments here, Kyle Brown was able to boot other linux and windows too I guess..
http://johnlewis.ie/compiling-your-own-coreboot-firmware-for-the-samsung-series-5-550-chromebook/
##The main blog(Thank him, as he is helping the chromebook community)-
http://johnlewis.ie/
PS- John is looking to purchase a new C7, instead of importing one from others, as the customs are too high in his place, so donate money if possible... else if you live in EU, you can ship your C7 to him free of cost..
Or spread the word to other chromebook users..
Cheers!
This is the exact information required here, many thanks! If these custom BIOS images implements SeaBIOS payload to the Acer C7 line of chromebooks, while give some option to get rid of the "OS verification" screen at startup, we have a killer notebook (not only) for Trisquel users. From what I quickly read, and seen in the YouTube video posted by prvteprts, it looks like this is the case.