First off, so few models of Chromebooks even allow you to bother sideloading or outright install a Linux distro over ChromeOS. Eventually, Google cut that stuff out so now almost every Chromebook now won't allow you to do that without going through some Developer Mode loop that makes you think you'll get by.
Secondly, Chromebooks are just e-waste. That's their design. They're only made to be online-only "laptops" with just an expiration date attached to them, that date being how long Google wants to bother supporting it with security updates provided something doesn't break down first within the first two years.
Thinkpads have more longevity, they're built well and they're meant to go the distance. Chromebooks has been and will continue to be a joke.