Intel NUC11 compatibility
I know that the cloudready raison d'etre is primarily for perhaps older systems but I have also found it useful to run on newer hardware which might be more powerful than what is available in the Chrome OS world. For example, I found a new Intel gen 10 processor based Chromebox to be little, if any, upgrade over the previous gen 8 based version and so am running cloudready on an Intel NUC based on a gen 11 processor. This is always a bit of a gamble as there may be specific items which are not supported (less so on a desktop than laptop perhaps) if Chrome OS (or Chromium) is not yet using that generation of hardware.
So, I will report the things I believe not to work purely for feedback as I wouldn't necessarily expect everything to be supported just yet.
I have the NUC11TNKv7 based on the i7-1185G7 processor. I had a couple of issues with the system hanging initially but have since discovered a couple of items which may not be fully supported or may have issues and since using workarounds for these items have not had the problems re-occur. There has been at least one BIOS update for the NUC which updated CPU microcode in the meantime as well so that may have also had an impact.
I suspect the Ethernet interface which is up to 2.5G based on the i255-LM is not supported at all since the normal operation of connecting something to Ethernet with cloudready seems to be to use that in preference to wifi. I see nothing in the general interface to suggest the Ethernet is recognised (but haven't investigated detailed settings/stats).
The wifi interface, based on an AX201 module seems to work to some degree but there are times where it seems to disconnect and is hard to reconnect (if I remember disabling and re-enabling wifi is probably required - but maybe the hang is an extreme version of the same thing?). If I had to guess it seems maybe that when a Google document is automatically saving it can upset other things (e.g. streaming video) going on at the same time and then seems to lose the network - but the hang more typically occurs if the system is left on for a longer period (not in interactive use) and I come back to it and find I can't access it.
I have got around the problem due to either of these items by using various USB Ethernet interfaces and everything seems to be running smoothly.
I'm pleased with the capability which is specifically running some 3D printing software in crostini a bit faster than is possible on a Chrome OS device while having direct access to the "Google world", similar to Chromebooks I use elsewhere.
Given the issues described in post "Linux (Beta) not working in 92.3.4 Home Stable Channel", please ignore any recommendation from the above w.r.t. the NUC11 specifically with the intention of running Linux Beta/crostini with Cloud Ready.
I don't have the issue with the apparent update to security requirements listed on that post with regard to older machines but I can install Linux Beta and run the terminal but get no access to remove/backup/restore, etc. in the settings menu and I can install apps but not run them (I get an error message relating to X11 server not running or something similar). This might be fixable but since the clear statement of Linux Beta/crostini not being supported with Cloud Ready I've decided to use plain Linux on my device since Linux apps were my main requirement (though I liked them being integrated with the "Google world") to provide a known working environment.
Just don't want anyone to take my recommendation and specifically purchase a device to find it doesn't perform as they might expect from my description!
Comments
1 comment
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Thanks for report.
I really don't see CR for old hardware, though it's one use.
Chrome OS / CR really needs good modern fast hardware to run well, it's a modern OS so in my experience anything older than 5 years doesn't run that fast (unless the original hardware was mega high spec / expensive). Something old will be ok if you are using less than 5 tabs and no Linux, but who can manage with only 5 tabs? That would seriously hinder my work flow, be ok for holiday use or streaming maybe.
Where CR fits well is people who bought good Windows hardware but the Windows OS let them down with updates, viruses or its general inefficiency.
The number of people we get on forum who think CR will work a treat on hardware over 8 years old is bonkers, that age hardware having the extra draw backs of dead batteries, slower wifi tech, mechanical hard drives, probably 4gb ram. Once the old hardware with SSDs start to show up things will be better.
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