The major advantage here is that Google merged the development of Chrome OS and Android. It's still Android under the hood making it probably cheaper to develop than having two different operating systems. At the worst case, Google can keep slapping the same Android as the ones on the phones under the hood and just maintain the user interface. They have already promised 10 years of software updates. They can also wait out for it to mature as the Android phone market will keep its development funded. If it will not be successful, any development can still go towards Android Desktop Mode for phones so Google is not losing that much in this direction.

With the introduction of Android apps and Crostini on Chromebook, the previous hardware seems to have been outgrown by its software. I think the focus to good hardware now is a correction to that.

For me, since this is Android, any development on Desktop Mode can be ported to the phone version. I really like the idea of Samsung Dex where you wouldn't need a laptop anymore. Just connect your phone to a bigger screen and it will be on Desktop mode.

Not sure yet about the capability of the "Linux Environment." If it is not too locked down, it should be good enough as a linux + android + chrome laptop. Although, it might just be more cost effective to buy a Lapdock and just use Samsung Dex or Android Desktop Mode.