I really think Linux will finally win the desktop (someday. Clearly not today.)
Not to get too off topic, but why do you think this? (Genuine question, no snark). I love linux, but from my perspective, Linux desktop seems only marginally more mainstream than 5 years ago.
ChromeOS is doing ok I guess, but if that is how linux wins the desktop, it’s a very pyrrhic victory. ChromeOS is Linux, but not any of the parts I like about it.
The base models don't have a lot in the way of RAM, CPU, and disk space. Bumping those specs up to acceptable levels adds quite a bit to the cost, sometimes $1,000 or more.
Partially agree, although using Crouton it's been very easy to run Ubuntu on a Chromebook for years. Also Debian is about to get first class support. That and the ability to run Android apps is becoming really compelling to me.