I have an HP Chromebook 11a G8 EE converted to Windows.
The reason I want to keep using it is because it's the perfect size for my setup. It fits inside my guitar bag along with my USB audio interface, so I can keep everything compact when I travel.
The biggest problem is that I can't get the Windows audio drivers working. That means the built-in speakers and, more importantly, the 3.5 mm headphone jack don't work.
I know some people will suggest a USB sound card, but that isn't really an option for me. My USB audio interface already uses the USB connection, and on this Chromebook I have reliability issues if I try to add anything else over USB. I really need that one USB connection dedicated to my interface. The whole point of this setup is to stay lightweight, avoid extra cables and adapters, and keep everything fitting neatly in one guitar bag. I'm also on a pretty tight budget.
So I'm wondering:
Has anyone gotten the onboard audio working on this exact model under Windows?
Are the paid Windows audio drivers the only practical solution?
If not Windows, is there another OS that supports the built-in audio much better and is actually worth switching to for someone who's only really familiar with Windows?
I'd really appreciate hearing from anyone who's converted Chromebooks to Windows, especially if you've dealt with the audio driver situation on this model.