The average Googler doesn't get to pick the OS that their workstation runs. It's going to be Linux. The typical work setup is a browser, some kind of editor and terminals - which is something that works well in Linux.
Generally, a Googler does actually get to pick their OS, it's part of the onboarding process that every Noogler goes through, and you're given 30 days from your start to swap around and test the other platforms (gLinux, macOS, gWindows, or Chrome OS).
I was under the impression that unless you have an actual business need that calls for something other than gLinux, then it's going to be gLinux. Like a Chromium dev who primarily works on the Windows side of Chrome obviously has a need for it.
I'll fully admit that my onboarding experience is quite out of date since I've been there for a decade. When I joined I didn't really have a choice for workstation since I only worked on server side stuff. Sounds like things have changed.
No they're the same. Pretty much all google3 work is done on Linux, but folks usually get 2 machines: a laptop you pick the OS and the workstation (or cloudtop) which is Linux unless there's a special need like chrome eng. Lots of folks do stuff like use Chrome OS + cider + cloudtop though.
Okay, then it sounds like I did give an accurate answer to OP's question (which was about workstations, not laptops) :)
I've used different setups over the years, but my workstation has always been Linux. Currently running gLinux on the workstation and cloudtop. My current laptop is running ChromeOS (I'm a ChromeOS swe).
Are you sure you're talking about workstation and not laptop? What you're saying sounds true for laptops, but I was at Google for 10 years on a variety of teams and I was only ever aware of Linux workstations unless one has a specific need for a different OS. (Or you could get a Chromebox at one point, but then you'd be SSHing to and building on a VM.)
> The typical work setup is a browser, some kind of editor and terminals
I have all those things open in my work setup, but I also have 3 or 4 different chat apps that don't run on linux, a few music apps that don't run on linux, a ton of Adobe software that doesn't run on linux, a stock trading app that doesn't run on linux, Kindle, a huge number of random productivity apps and games that don't run on Linux, the list goes on.
Having to deal with half-baked Linux alternatives or mess with a Windows compatibility layer sounds like a total nightmare. I also think it doesn't support modern DRM so you're SOL if you want to put on Netflix or something in the background.
> but I also have 3 or 4 different chat apps that don't run on linux, a few music apps that don't run on linux, a ton of Adobe software that doesn't run on linux, a stock trading app that doesn't run on linux, Kindle, a huge number of random productivity apps and games that don't run on Linux, the list goes on.
Well, from the viewpoint of Google the corporation, the inability of devs running these software that only detracts them from real work can be considered a feature rather than a bug.
