Chromebooks actually can be viable for coding. Firstly, Crouton lets you operate Linux and switch instantly between ChromeOS and Linux. Secondly, you can use an online IDE through Chrome. Thirdly, you could remotely operate in Windows using either a personal machine or a hosted Web server and this could be either through Linux or Chrome. This would enable using Visual Studio, for instance. I think the Chromebook Pixel with a decent home Server used for a traditional and powerful desktop environment would pair quite nicely.
That's great and all, but I'm still confused why I would want one over a traditional laptop (or ultrabook) with OS X, Windows, or Linux unless it's purely to save money on a less expensive Chromebook model.
Cheaper and simpler. I don't like all the baggage that comes with Windows/Mac: ChromeOS auto-updates, has no bloatware, boots up instantly, backs everything up in the cloud, and has a clean minimal UI that I don't have to think about -- nor do the less technical members of my family (they never really understood how to use Windows after all these years, just memorized a few steps for common actions).
For $199 I have a computer that runs 10hrs on battery and does everything I need in the simplest way possible -- far simpler than the competition, that's for sure.
The question I have is why would I want a traditional laptop over this? They offer extra features I just don't need at the cost of complexity, maintenance, battery life, and price.
The value proposition of a Chromebook Pixel is excellent battery life, a free Terabyte of Google Drive space (4 yrs), very nice touchscreen display, quality craftsmanship, secure and fast OS, lightweight design, and great microphones even.
BTW, if personal Internet ever went down, there's a model that has a cellular modem or you can tether from your smartphone with mobile hotspot.
If you need to use traditional Windows applications frequently then maybe a native Wkndows device would be more useful. Although I gather that it's technically possible to install Windows 8 on a Chromebook.
