Installing LiveSplit on a Chromebook

In this guide, we'll walk you through the process of installing LiveSplit on your Chromebook. LiveSplit is a popular timer application used by speedrunners to track their completion times for various games. While Chromebooks are not typically associated with gaming or speedrunning, the ability to run LiveSplit opens up new possibilities for enthusiasts.

Before we begin, it's important to note that this tutorial is specifically for Chromebooks with Intel or AMD CPUs that support Linux Apps. Unfortunately, this method won't work on Chromebooks with ARM64 architecture CPUs.

Prerequisites

• A Chromebook with an Intel or AMD CPU
• Linux Apps support enabled on your Chromebook
• An active internet connection

Step-by-Step Installation Guide

Follow these steps carefully to install LiveSplit on your Chromebook:

1. Enable Linux Apps

If you haven't already enabled Linux Apps on your Chromebook, you'll need to do so first. Go to your Chromebook's Settings, click on "Advanced" in the left panel, then select "Developers." From there, you can turn on Linux Apps.

2. Open the Terminal

Once Linux Apps are enabled, open the Terminal application. You'll be entering several commands here to install the necessary components.

3. Install Wine

Wine is a compatibility layer that allows Windows applications to run on Linux systems. We'll use it to run LiveSplit. Enter the following commands in order:

sudo dpkg --add-architecture i386
wget -nc https://dl.winehq.org/wine-builds/winehq.key && sudo apt-key add winehq.key
echo "deb https://dl.winehq.org/wine-builds/debian/ bookworm main" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/wine_chrome_os_made_simple.list
sudo apt update
sudo apt install --install-recommends winehq-stable winbind
winecfg

The last command, winecfg, will open the Wine configuration window. You can close this window after it opens.

4. Download and Install LiveSplit

Now that Wine is installed, we can download and set up LiveSplit:

wget https://github.com/LiveSplit/LiveSplit/releases/download/1.8.26/LiveSplit_1.8.26.zip
unzip LiveSplit_1.8.26.zip -d livesplit
cd livesplit && wine LiveSplit.exe

The last command will launch LiveSplit through Wine. You should now see the LiveSplit interface on your Chromebook!

Additional Information

LiveSplit is an invaluable tool for speedrunners, allowing precise timing and split management for various games. While running it on a Chromebook might not be the most common use case, it can be useful for practicing splits, analyzing runs, or even streaming your speedruns directly from your Chromebook.

Keep in mind that performance may vary depending on your Chromebook's specifications. Some users might experience slight lag or delays, especially when running more resource-intensive games alongside LiveSplit.

Troubleshooting

If you encounter any issues during the installation process, here are a few things to try:

• Ensure your Chromebook's software is up to date
• Double-check that you've entered all commands correctly
• If Wine installation fails, try rebooting your Chromebook and attempting the process again
• For persistent issues, consider checking the official Wine documentation or the LiveSplit forums for further assistance

Conclusion

Congratulations! You've successfully installed LiveSplit on your Chromebook. This setup allows you to time your speedruns and manage your splits, all from the convenience of your Chromebook. Happy speedrunning!

For more information about LiveSplit, visit their official website.

If you're interested in learning more about Wine, the software that makes this possible, check out the Wine Project website.

For a visual guide to this process, please refer to the video tutorial above.

If you have any questions or need further assistance, please don't hesitate to leave a comment on our YouTube video. We're here to help!

Lastly, if you're in the market for a new Chromebook or looking to upgrade, be sure to check out our Chromebook comparison and Buyers Guide.