- Best Mac Like Linux
- Ubuntu
- Mac Os Like Linux Distro
- Best Linux Distro For Machine Learning
- Best Linux Distro For Macbook Pro
Active7 years, 10 months ago
“4 of the Best Linux Distributions for Mac Users” Don’t you mean “4 Linux Distributions Most Familiar-looking to Mac Users”? Also, considering that 3 of th4 are Ubuntu-based, that’s only 2 distributions. “Best” is a relative term. “Best” is what works for you personally. Linux Mint, is another popular Linux distro for beginners based on Ubuntu. That means, by installing Linux Mint you get the same Ubuntu base system along with something more elegant and graceful than its parent. Puppy Linux is one of the best lightweight Linux distributions for older computers. This would make Macpup a good option for you if you got 15-20 years old computer. This would make Macpup a good option for you if you got 15-20 years old computer. Now (finally), onto the main part, the best lightweight Linux distros for old computers/laptops. Click on the distro’s name to find more info, screenshots, and download links.
I'm trying to set up my brother–who has a PPC Mac with 1 GHz processor and 256 MB RAM–with a Linux distro that would allow him to surf the web on the device.
If anyone knows of this Mac, they also know that support has faded for the latest browsers, rendering the device essentially useless when it comes to the web.
Ideally I would have installed Jolicloud, but alas, it is only Intel Mac compatible...
Ideally I would have installed Jolicloud, but alas, it is only Intel Mac compatible...
Please let me know if you have any suggestions for me!
oKtosiTe6,22688 gold badges3939 silver badges6868 bronze badges
rockit
closed as not constructive by Simon Sheehan, Ƭᴇcʜιᴇ007, random♦Oct 30 '11 at 20:25
As it currently stands, this question is not a good fit for our Q&A format. We expect answers to be supported by facts, references, or expertise, but this question will likely solicit debate, arguments, polling, or extended discussion. If you feel that this question can be improved and possibly reopened, visit the help center for guidance. If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.
migrated from stackoverflow.comFeb 26 '11 at 5:10
This question came from our site for professional and enthusiast programmers.
3 Answers
There's also a large list here.
The usual caution about doing distro recommendations applies here - the most important factor is the user, as hardware can be upgraded.
new123456new1234563,55711 gold badge1313 silver badges1919 bronze badges
A PowerPC Mac with a 1 GHz processor either has a factory-installed G4 processor or has a G3 upgrade card installed. In either case, the machine can quite comfortably run an older version of Mac OS X that supports PPC processors (at the time of this writing, all that leaves out is the latest release, OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard, which drops support for the PPC platform altogether in favor of Intel).
My mother uses a 933 MHz G4 running OS X 10.5 (Leopard) all day long to surf the web and do other basic computing tasks; it's never been slow. My home network server is a 733 MHz G4 running OS X 10.4 (Tiger) Server (and I'm hardly your 'average' home network user). If your machine is one with a third-party G3 upgrade card, you may need to hack the newer versions of OS X to run them, but this is a relatively straightforward process, and you won't have any performance problems once you get it installed. Otherwise, you can install a full retail copy on a G4/1GHz without any extra effort.
Remember that RAM (not processor speed) is key to making Mac OS X run at peak performance. Make sure that you have at least 512 MB, preferably 1 GB. Chances are very good that your machine uses the old standard PC100/PC133 168-pin SDRAM, which is available for extremely reasonable prices nowadays. Pick up as much as you can afford, and cram it in. (A good idea even if you run Linux.)
I highly recommend this route if you/your friend is not already an experienced Linux user; one of the major appeals of the Mac platform is the operating system. My not-so-humble opinion is that Mac OS X absolutely blows away any Linux distribution, even for the hardest core UNIX fans, considering it runs on top of a BSD UNIX-based kernel. Running OS X also solves the problem of modern browsers not being available that you would otherwise face by sticking with Mac OS 9. Your machine is not old enough that you're consigned to running a Linux distro on it just to make it barely usable on the Web.Apple's Safari (included with OS X; be sure to download the latest version) is an incredible browser on the Mac (less so on Windows), or you can run Firefox, Opera, OmniWeb, Chrome, etc.
If you're sure that you want to run a Linux distro, you truly have countless options. Again, your hardware isn't old enough to limit your options, and almost all of the mainstream Linux distributions (and some of the not-quite-so-mainstream distributions, as well) have been ported to PowerPC. You might find this site to be interesting. In general, I would probably select from one of the following distros:
Cody GrayCody Gray1,78311 gold badge1616 silver badges2525 bronze badges
I have an old g4 iMac that runs xubuntu beautifully. I have no problems with a multitude of browsers for most of my online needs. The only concern you'll have is getting flash to work due to the fact that it is a ppc, but that is a concern for any distro you go with.
MaQleodMaQleod12.5k44 gold badges3333 silver badges5757 bronze badges
Many Linux distributions are designed to look like Windows. This guide lists the best Linux Win 7 replacements, such as OSX, ChromeOS, and Android.
of 06
Zorin 9 - Windows 7 Clone
What We Like
- Powerful operating system.
- Outstanding security.
What We Don't Like
- Limited desktop styles in free version.
- Difficult to add items to desktop.
Zorin OS is a great replacement for Windows 7 users.
The general look and feel are the same as Windows 7 but it brings the security of Linux and it includes desktop effects and virtual workspaces.
Zorin OS comes with all of the applications that desktop users generally use including a web browser, audio player, email client, messenger app, remote desktop client, video editor, graphics editor, and office suite.
If you want to try a different look then you can always go for the Windows XP layout by using the Zorin Look Changer.
of 06
Q4OS
What We Like
- Incredibly light desktop environment.
- Fast and easy installation.
What We Don't Like
- Installing applications is not straightforward.
- Lacking some documentation.
Q4OS is the perfect desktop replacement for Windows XP users.
It gives you an incredibly close experience to the Windows XP you are used to but is obviously built on top of the more powerful Linux operating system.
The operating system will run on all hardware, old or new and there is full support for printers and other devices.
You can choose to install a common set of software applications such as Google's Chrome browser, the LibreOffice suite, and Thunderbird or you can simply install the applications you require one by one.
of 06
![Best linux distro for macbook pro 2015 Best linux distro for macbook pro 2015](https://ksassets.timeincuk.net/wp/uploads/sites/54/2016/05/best-linux-distro-1-920x517.png)
Elementary OS
What We Don't Like
- Fewer features than some operating systems.
- Lacks commercial support.
If you would like to try a Mac-style interface but you don't want to spend all of your hard-earned money on a new MacBook then try Elementary OS.
It has an easy to follow website, is incredibly easy to install and a desktop experience that has been very carefully crafted to look simplistic yet elegant.
The software is lightweight in nature and will run on most hardware.
of 06
MacPUP
What We Like
- Extremely lightweight.
- Plug and play compatibility.
What We Don't Like
- Small software library.
- Not as attractive appearance as other options.
MacPUP has been built using Puppy Linux as a base distribution.
From a user's point of view, however, all you need to know is that the look and feel have been crafted so that you get a very similar interface to that of a MacBook.
It isn't quite as clean as Elementary OS but it will work on much older hardware and as it is built on Puppy Linux you can carry it around on a USB drive and boot it as required.
of 06
Peppermint OS
What We Like
- Attractive desktop.
- Fast, light, and stable.
Best Mac Like Linux
What We Don't Like
Ubuntu
- Takes getting used to.
- No simple document processor.
If you are looking for a Linux distribution to turn your laptop into a Chromebook then Peppermint OS is quite close.
Mac Os Like Linux Distro
It will take some customizing to make it look exactly like ChromeOS but the ICE application lets you add web applications to your computer as if they are standard desktop applications.
of 06
Android x86
Best Linux Distro For Machine Learning
What We Don't Like
- Short list of supported devices.
- Limited mouse controls.
If you are looking for an Android clone to run on your laptop then install Android x86 on your computer.
This isn't so much a clone as a port of the full Android operating system.
Best Linux Distro For Macbook Pro
There are limitations to running Android on your desktop unless you have a touchscreen. It has been designed to work on a tablet or phone.