Ask HN: Linux Alternative to macOS?

7 points by thomasedwards 5 years ago | 12 comments

I’m still using Mojave because I just don’t like the direction that macOS is going in. I don’t think it’ll be too long now until Apple starts to really clamp down on what applications will run. I use Windows 10, but it has its own problems and the interface is still a mess.

But, I look at Linux and I have no idea where to turn. I want the uniformity of macOS with excellent keyboard shortcuts, but with the freedom to do what I want with my computer.

Any suggestions?

fricketfracket 5 years ago |

I don't think you'll ever fomd the uniformity of MacOS since there is not one single company behind the distros and all the packages they use. I really like Pop_OS! By System76 because it works great out of the box and has a really pretty look and feel if you like Gnome. It has some smart options enabled and applications installed by default, it uses the apt package manager which is really easy and has fairly good packages, and it's quite beginner friendly in general. With any Linux distro you have the freedom of doing whatever you want:) Another distro that you should consider is Linux Mint with the Cinnamon desktop if you prefere a Windows-ish look. I wouldn't look too far because otherwise you'll just get stuck distro hopping and never settling.

vhodges 5 years ago |

The look and feel ('uniformity') is more a matter of what desktop environment you want to run rather than Distro (though that can matter too). Choices include:

  * Gnome
  * KDE/Plasma
  * xfce
  * Elementary (but to muddy the waters a bit, is also a distro around their DE) - This will probably be the closest to MacOS in terms of L&F
  * Budgie
  * Enlightenment
  * And others (more niche (low ram etc))
  * Plain ol' X11

A lot of distros are opinionated and ship with a default DE (eg Ubuntu/Gnome) but you can generally can install what ever you want. Some (Arch, Gentoo) are not opinionated and let you configure it as you see fit.

If you've never installed Linux, I would start with Ubuntu as there are lots of guides on it. Ubuntu is derrived from Debian.

If you're comfortable with the command line and making more choices Arch is a nice distro (and really isn't any harder than Ubuntu, just different - the arch wiki is very good for docs).

(edit: Formatting, typos)

jamesponddotco 5 years ago | |

Quick correction[1], elementary OS is the name of the distribution, while Pantheon is the name of the desktop environment developed which was developed for it — it can be installed in other distros, though.

[1] I am not anelementary OS user, but since you mentioned desktop environments, I think the correction might be worth it.

vhodges 5 years ago | | |

Thanks and no worries... I am don't use it either!

fricketfracket 5 years ago | |

I agree with everything but strongy discourage you from trying out Arch. It's easy if you've done it before but coming from MacOS and being used to everything working (which already in Linux is not the case haha), something Debian based like Ubuntu is better... (Or Pop OS imo since it's just like Ubuntu but better...)

Pedrit0 5 years ago |

GNU (even polished distros) means you will have to invest a bit of time to understand some basic concepts about your hardware and the system if you want to configure correctly your PC and take advantage of all its functionalities. As you come from the Mac world, are you in this mood ? Or do you already have knowledge about lnux systems ? I am asking because numerous Mac user often prefer no brainers and out of the box experience rather than investesting time in that kind of stuff (which I fully understand). Note this is not difficult at all, but however it needs to spend some time if you are a newcomer.

thomasedwards 5 years ago | |

I use a lot of Linux servers, including my own at home but it’s headless, so I’m pretty familiar but I’ve never used one as my own operating system. But I do prefer spending my free time working on projects and hobbies, rather than having to maintain my computer.

jpetrucc 5 years ago |

I'd recommend checking out Elementary OS [0]. It's based on Ubuntu 18.04 LTS (Bionic), so you have the support of one of the (arguably) larger Linux communities, and you have the freedom to do what you like. It has a custom desktop environment meant to feel more like macOS, and decent keyboard shortcuts.

[0]: https://elementary.io/

gnusty_gnurc 5 years ago |

I'm a big fan of KDE.

I use Kubuntu on my desktop and pretty happy with how it feels very standard and functional, yet very customizable.

forgotmypw77 5 years ago |

after abandoning apple, i tried a few different distros, and i think i,ll probably try a few more. none have brought me the cohesiveness of osx of years past, but keyboard accessibility is generally better. i,ve mostly stuck to the more lightweighr distros, and have been pretty happy with fedora lxde and mint xfce.

make regular backups, sometimes an update will just wreck my whole environment. happens less frequently than windows, but more often than mac for me. i generally do not update once i,m done installing, because i browse without js and carefully.

niktar 5 years ago |

Elementary OS ... maybe. Or Endless linux ...

But in fact, there are not real alternatives.

How to compare OSX which is operating system/environment and Linux which is OS kernel.

fsflover 5 years ago |

Many people like https://pop.system76.com/