How to open the Pixel 2015: remove the two glued-on rubber strips on the bottom, remove the 15-or-so screws below them, remove the bottom plate.
Once you're there, you can even turn a screw (or pull a jumper on some devices) to unlock the write protection of the firmware flash chip.
https://johnlewis.ie/custom-chromebook-firmware/rom-download... provides tested replacement firmware that make running 'regular' operating systems more comfortable on many Chromebooks (no more security measures in the form of scary warning screens and 'return to factory' key combos). That may kill warranty - or not.
I find that this is a pretty reasonable trade off between providing an 'unbreakable' secure-by-default (hence the auto updates, which also cover firmware) configuration that is also reasonably safe against drive-by attacks (that's why the jumper is inside the device) while allowing people to use their hardware differently if they want.
This doesn't rely on security problems that are used as 'jail break' elsewhere.
And yes, the SSD is soldered on. There's not a whole lot of space in that box, and soldering makes things so much more compact.
Once you're there, you can even turn a screw (or pull a jumper on some devices) to unlock the write protection of the firmware flash chip.
https://johnlewis.ie/custom-chromebook-firmware/rom-download... provides tested replacement firmware that make running 'regular' operating systems more comfortable on many Chromebooks (no more security measures in the form of scary warning screens and 'return to factory' key combos). That may kill warranty - or not.
I find that this is a pretty reasonable trade off between providing an 'unbreakable' secure-by-default (hence the auto updates, which also cover firmware) configuration that is also reasonably safe against drive-by attacks (that's why the jumper is inside the device) while allowing people to use their hardware differently if they want. This doesn't rely on security problems that are used as 'jail break' elsewhere.
And yes, the SSD is soldered on. There's not a whole lot of space in that box, and soldering makes things so much more compact.
(Disclosure: I work on Chrome OS firmware)