[vero2]

The problem is regular user does NOT want i3. Google cannot build a i3 and provide it as an update to old chromebook.

BTW even latest Lubuntu needs 4GB RAM... Sure you can use minimal window manager like awesome, but not the average joe!

[_Algernon_]

I mentioned xfce for that exact reason. It is still pretty light, while being a more familiar to the average user.

That being said, most average users aren't gonna care about e-waste anyways, and are gonna buy a new computer ever couple of years, so for them this is a non-issue.