Chromebooks to Get Windows Dual-Boot Capability with Campfire

[btarunr]

Bootcamp was an instant hit with MacBook users, as it allowed them to dual-boot between MacOS and Windows, giving them access to applications that don't have MacOS versions. Google's Chromebook is a similar walled-garden to Apple Mac, with the company maintaining tight control over the hardware and OS. A new software modeled along Bootcamp, cheekily named Campfire, could introduce dual-booting on Chromebooks, allowing you to switch between ChromeOS and Windows 10.

Campfire first surfaced on the Chromium Git as a mysterious new project pointing to an "alt OS mode" for ChromeOS. XDA Developers confirms that Campfire will be introduced by Google for its entire userbase, and not just something that you optionally install. You also don't need to enable Developer Mode to use it. For now, a wide range of Chromebooks appear to be Campfire-ready. Google will focus on making it as easy as possible to install Windows 10. Although not limited by other hardware specs, Campfire could eat up at least 30 GB of storage to meet Windows 10 requirements and leave a reasonable amount of user-space. You should only try it out on Chromebooks with 60 GB (or higher) storage.



View at TechPowerUp Main Site

 

[Vya Domus]

So they basically admit ChromeOS is a failure ? Already knew that.

 

[Caring1]

Nice, about time, but makes me wonder what M.S. is paying them.
Time to snap up a bargain Chromebook before prices jump.

 

[DeathtoGnomes]

Call me when they boot to Mac and windows and chomebook..is there a fourth? Anyway going back to sleep on this one.

 

[lexluthermiester]

So they basically admit ChromeOS is a failure ? Already knew that.

LOL! Nice.

So if it'll install Windows 10, it'll install AndroidX86. Oh yeah, eff ChromeOS.

Call me when they boot to Mac and windows and chomebook..is there a fourth? Anyway going back to sleep on this one.

See above.. And then there's a fifth, Linux.

 

[StrayKAT]

I saw the point of Mac's having it once. This.. not so much. At least the Mac's could be a Logic or Final Cut dedicated machine.. with some Windows gaming on the side (and possibly having the hardware to play said games). Not a Chromebook.

 

[lexluthermiester]

I saw the point of Mac's having it once. This.. not so much. At least the Mac's could be a Logic or Final Cut dedicated machine.. with some Windows gaming on the side (and possibly having the hardware to play said games). Not a Chromebook.

Gotta disagree. There are plenty of things to be done in Android/Linux/MacOS(Maybe?)/Windows that ChromeOS lacks, badly. This gives people who have a ChromeBook and don't like ChromeOS another option. There is big value here for the right users.

 

[StrayKAT]

Gotta disagree. There are plenty of things to be done in Android/Linux/Windows that ChromeOS lacks. This gives people who have a ChromeBook and don't like ChromeOS another option. There is big value here for the right users.

I don't see why someone who even buys one would care about any of that. It's like the machine for people who don't give a shit about computers. They just want basic services (either that or they rely on smartphones). Like my mom! She's got a Chromebook.. she's an old Thai lady who just likes checking the bank and watches some videos

edit: For the record though, I guess it doesn't hurt to have the capability. So long as no one but Google has to pay for it.

 

[lexluthermiester]

I don't see why someone who even buys one would care about any of that. It's like the machine for people who don't give a shit about computers. They just want basic services (either that or they rely on smartphones). Like my mom! She's a got a Chromebook.. she's an old Thai lady who just likes checking the bank and watches some videos

Good point. For those kinds of users this would mean nothing. For users like me however, who have a ChromeBook and thoroughly dislike it, but like the machine it's installed on, this option will be of great value. And being honest, I'll likely just use all of the storage allowed and leave little or nothing for ChromeOS.