I am also still using my Pixelbook.
For me, Chrome OS Flex just isn’t good enough, the biggest reason being the lack of Android apps. Microsoft and Amazon are bringing Android apps to Windows, and Google is even bringing Android games to Windows, but can’t be bothered to support them on their own installable OS variant. That’s just ridiculous.
I actually got a Framework Laptop, and tried to just get used to it, but ended up returning it partially because it was a major disappointment for me coming from a Pixelbook.
I didn’t try CloudReady (the precursor to Flex) because of the lack of Android, so can’t say for sure as to those questions. But the main version of Chrome OS has the ability to remap a few special keys which should enable you to remap Caps to Launcher.
Unfortunately, the hardware just doesn’t compare. The repairability and such is great, but is not a substitute for the Pixelbook’s nicer hardware. Three major issues are the keyboard, touchpad, and lap comfort.
The FL keyboard is a Windows layout, not a Chrome layout, which I find to be much nicer and is thankfully mostly standard across Chromebooks, unlike Windows laptops. The Chrome style is enough of an improvement for me that I even use a Chrome keyboard when using Windows and Linux on desktop.
The touchpad was a massive downgrade. The one on the Pixelbook is the best I have ever used or tried on any laptop. Moving fingers over the Pixelbook’s touchpad feels great due to whatever seemingly unique material the surface is made out of. The Framework Laptop’s touchpad felt more like the cheap low end Chromebook touchpads I used to use before the Pixelbook, or even closer to Google’s Pixel Slate touchpad, which is also a massive downgrade compared to on the Pixelbook.
Regarding lap comfort, there are 3 main problems.
Based on Intel’s specs, the Pixelbook uses a low energy processor with TDP from 3.5 to 7 watts. The Framework Latop uses higher energy processors with TDP from 20 to 64 watts. While I’m not certain as to those numbers accuracy, the FL generates far more heat and thus requires a fan, unlike the fanless PB. The additional heat is quite uncomfortable in warmer weather when using on the lap.
The Pixelbook feels much better than most laptops when used on the lap because it is almost completely flat on the bottom. The FL is not, with vents and significantly protruding feet on the bottom.
Another issue is the added weight, 2.8 lb compared to the Pixelbook at 2.45 lb. While that may not seem like much, the flatness of the PB spreads the weight out, while the FL weight is uncomfortably focused on the bottom feet.
The additional heat, protruding feet, and higher weight all add up to make lap comfort significantly worse with the Framework Laptop (and almost every other) compared to the Pixelbook.
As a result, I will continue to use my (or another) Pixelbook for decades or until manufacturers manage to someday produce a better laptop. When Chrome OS updates expire, I’ll probably switch to using Windows or Linux with something like Breath.