I switched to a Acer Spin after my Pixelbook EOL'd, and have been happy with it. Aluminum chassis, enough ports, nice keyboard, touchscreen 2-in-1, etc. I don't really use the touch features but it doesn't hurt.

ChromeOS has come a long way and the builtin Linux VM makes it surprisingly easy to e.g. do full-stack development with VScode devcontainers.

It feels like a proper OS. I hit the search key and type "code" and it launches my full dev stack. No more mucking about with crouton or dual-booting or other hacks.

The I had the last pixelbook and loved it as a dev laptop. Although, the hardware was lacking.I have a Framework running Fedora now.

I like the default window manager and shortcuts on chromeOS better then any linux distro. I hate customizing linux distrubtions and I like a laptop where I can sync my backups and start new with little time configuring. I really love the linux container/vm integration and would like to see further polish for running VMs and containers. For me the single remaining and sort of major downside is that I can't just read a large variety of filesystems to access backups. I can't DD a linux ISO to pen drives either. I'd like to play with bcachefs when its out for backups but currently I can't on chrome OS. Its so close to being such a nice base secure OS with great out of box container/primitives, but it just feels easier and more practical to run fedora these days and chromeOS develops pretty slowly.

You can write arbitary images to pen drives using the "Chromebook Recovery" Chrome extension.

I agree, I used a high end Chromebook/Chromebox for several years as my local dev machine (for corp work) and it worked flawlessly. It was one of the sleekest developer experiences I've ever had.

I use an obnoxiously custom Linux setup for my personal devices, but I still try to push anyone who will listen to try a Chromebook.

I'm not sure if it would suit you or not, but I've been very happy with my lenovo c13 chromebook. You can get a decently spec'd chromebook-version of a thinkpad for a pretty reasonable price I think.

It really was a sleek and elegant system. I got a friend to switch to one after him twice say "my computer is so slow, I need to buy a new one" only for me to find each computer filled with every browser plugin and tracking app you can think of. Even though I'm sure there are still sketchy chrome plugins, the pixelbook cut down on that sort of thing enough it's lasted him several times longer than a new computer does. Like you, I wish Google had continue to make them.

I have been using an Intel samsumg chromebook for my dev machine and it is great. <$500. When I lose updates, I will buy a new one and still be ahead. Never buying windows or Mac again. Thinking about framework linux or chromebook

Maybe give "HP Elite Dragonfly" a try?

The Dragonfly Pro Chromebook (terrible naming scheme) is really fantastic. The Elite Dragonfly is a little weird. The Elite seems to be only available as a build-to-suit SKU that ships next February, and a comparable config to the Pro costs 3x more, while the Pro comes with the better display and ships today.

I agree with you. I think the Dragonfly Pro is the successor to the pixelbook go.

Same price and better in so many ways. Skipping 3 generations of CPUs, doubling the memory, and using NVMe instead of eMMC all noticeably better. The dangerously bright backlight is just a bonus. The problem is the machine is bigger and heavier and although quiet, not actually fanless like the Pixelbook Go.

Yeah, I can't say that this is the best value Chromebook but a decent choice if you want a premium level one. The only complaint I have is its noise but it's not that extreme.

I've had a Google issued pixelbook for work since 2018 and I absolutely love it.

Love my Pixelbook Go and now I have until June 2027 to find a replacement or drain the battery to death.

There's a framework Chromebook. It's on last gen and not entirely high end, but close enough.