GalliumOS was a Linux distribution for ChromeOS devices, developed by the community-supported GalliumOS project. The distribution was made for Chrome hardware including Chromebook, Chromebox, Chromebit and Chromebase. GalliumOS beta1 was released on 10 November 2015.

GalliumOS
OS familyLinux (Unix-like)
Working stateDiscontinued
Initial release10 November 2015; 8 years ago (2015-11-10)
Latest release3.1 / 22 December 2019; 4 years ago (2019-12-22)
Latest preview3.1 / 22 December 2019; 4 years ago (2019-12-22)
Available ini18n
Update methodapt
Package managerdpkg
Platformsx86-64
UserlandGNU General Public License
Default
user interface
Xfce
LicenseVarious
Official websitegalliumos.org

As of 2022, the GalliumOS project has been discontinued. Their wiki advises existing GalliumOS users to migrate to another Linux OS due to security hazards.

Features

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GalliumOS was based on Xubuntu and maintained compatibility with the Ubuntu repositories.[1] Multiple sources indicate that Galliums' boot time was faster than other Linux distributions made for ChromeOS. It was optimized to limit stalls and had integrated touchpad drivers.[2][3]

GalliumOS was compatible with some ChromeOS devices. It was necessary to prepare the device in different ways based on the hardware chipset.

Prerequisites

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Some Chromebooks require a third-party firmware update before they can boot other operating systems, including GalliumOS. Chromebook firmware can be updated after disabling hardware write-protect, a process that varies by model. A firmware installer script is available for most models, written by MrChromebox.

References

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  1. ^ Lynch, Jim (12 November 2015). "GalliumOS Linux beta released for Chromebooks and Chromeboxes". InfoWorld. Retrieved 4 May 2018.
  2. ^ Wallen, Jack (4 December 2015). "GalliumOS: The Ideal Linux Distribution for Chromebook Hardware". Linux.com. Retrieved 4 May 2018.
  3. ^ Porup, J.M. (19 June 2017). "How to install Linux on a Chromebook (and why you should)". Art Technica. Retrieved 5 May 2018.
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