We don’t lack easy to use distro… I never had to fiddle with the one I’m using and I’m not an expert, far from it ;)

Hear me out, docker based OS. More or less chromeOS but instead of apps they are containers

I agree with the sentiment but not the logic.

Chromebooks popularity is down to them being one of the cheapests laptops to buy in bulk for schools.

The “google” label is also somewhat attracting to them because familiarity and having plenty of experience, resources to build, update, support the platform, provide documentation. This for every language.

A new linux alternative would mean they have to source compatible cheap devices they can buy in bulk and have to install it themselves on every one. A class i personally would love but is beyond what most schools can do.

The few open source devs are also unlikely to provide that much support as schools may require. For (slightly bigger) reference my job is deep into the Microsoft ecosystem and we have “colleagues” paid by microsoft that provide consultancy on their stuff. (And to make sure they keep us as a customer)

I hate it, i think tech literacy is important but this isnt something a new distro can fix.

Slightly relevant xkcd

There is a project trying to revive FirefoxOS: https://capyloon.org/ which is what inspired ChromeOS, but maybe I am taking the headline too literal 😅