I want to try Linux on my wife's Toshiba 13" Chromebook. I'd prefer not to alter anything on the Chromebook itself (as she'll kill me if I mess it up:) 

* Can I install and use Ubuntu onto a 32GB USB and then use it on the Chromebook?
* Can the Chromebook be left unaltered ie I pull out the USB and it's back to being a Chromebook?
* Are there special versions of Ubuntu that work with the touchpad, wifi and shut down of a Chromebook?
* Do I need to alter anything in Ubuntu to get it working ok (I've heard swap space on USB is problematic)?
* Would the performance be OK? I'll be using it for simple Java dev work while I'm on holiday?
* How do I do it?

Obviously it would be better if everything was installed on the SSD but I'm currently waiting for the new i3 based Chromebooks with 4GB RAM and then I'm aiming to install a 120GB SSD.

Mike

PS I'm familiar with Unix shell and a little with Linux but any admin commands tend to go over my head.