A software developer has made a surprising switch from Windows to Chromebook for their development needs, and the results have been nothing short of remarkable. In a bold move, the developer ditched their Windows laptop two years ago and has been using a Chromebook for software development, with no regrets.

The developer, who has been a Windows user since the late 1980s, realized that they spent 98% of their time in the Chrome browser and rarely used Windows applications. The only exception was Visual Studio Code, which they used frequently. However, they discovered that Chromebooks run on Linux under the hood, allowing them to run VS Code natively, with all the necessary extensions.

The transition was not without its adjustments, however. The developer had to find browser-based alternatives for some Windows utilities and figure out how to run Postman on ChromeOS's Linux Development Environment alongside VS Code. Despite these minor hurdles, they were pleased to find that ChromeOS provided many standard utilities, such as a calculator and text editor.

One of the main draws to ChromeOS was its simplicity. As the browser has become the center of the computing universe, there is little that the developer needs to do that can't be done in Chrome. They also appreciated the seamless integration with their Google Pixel phone, being already deeply immersed in the Google ecosystem.

ChromeOS has also proven to be a more streamlined and efficient operating system. Chromebooks boot in seconds, update themselves in the background, and are free from bloatware and viruses. This means no more long, arduous updates or worrying about malware. The hardware is also generally inexpensive and easy to set up, although finding a Chromebook with 16GB of RAM can be a challenge.

Despite the initial trepidation, the developer has experienced two years of smooth sailing with their Chromebook. They found that installing VS Code was a painless process, and ChromeOS even created an icon to run VS Code in the start menu. The developer's experience highlights the growing appeal of ChromeOS as a viable alternative to traditional operating systems for developers.

The implications of this shift are significant, as more developers begin to explore the possibilities of ChromeOS. With its simplicity, speed, and ease of use, ChromeOS is poised to become a major player in the development landscape. As the developer notes, "Fast, easy, simple, and cheap. If only everything in tech worked that way."

As the tech industry continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how ChromeOS and other alternative operating systems gain traction among developers. One thing is certain, however – this developer's experience is a testament to the power and potential of ChromeOS as a game-changer in the world of software development.