When comparing Stock ChromeOS with Android apps vs Crouton to boot into an Ubuntu session, the Slant community recommends Crouton to boot into an Ubuntu session for most people. In the question“What are the best dev setups for Chromebooks?” Crouton to boot into an Ubuntu session is ranked 3rd while Stock ChromeOS with Android apps is ranked 5th. The most important reason people chose Crouton to boot into an Ubuntu session is:
There is no need to be connected to the Internet all the time to work. Although chrome machines usually are not so powerful and they can't be used for tasks needing high computing (such as code compilation, data processing) but Crouton at least allows to work (like coding, version controlling local copies with git) completely offline.
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Pros
Pro Doesn't require dual-booting
Pro Works offline
Pro Keeps OS stock
Pro Uses local, unprivileged shell
Pro Very secure setup; machine is disposable
Assuming you're sync'ing your work elsewhere, you can treat this low-cost machine as a burner and write it off if it's lost/stolen/destroyed without risk.
Pro No need to be online always
There is no need to be connected to the Internet all the time to work. Although chrome machines usually are not so powerful and they can't be used for tasks needing high computing (such as code compilation, data processing) but Crouton at least allows to work (like coding, version controlling local copies with git) completely offline.
Pro Easily switch between ChromeOS and Ubuntu
Crouton allows for the use to alt+tab back and forth from ChromeOS to Ubuntu seamlessly. No rebooting the device, no logging out.
Cons
Con A bit of hassle to keep track of the Yubikey
Con No longer actively developed
As of Dec 31, 2021 the project is unfortunately gone into “maintenance-only” mode.