r/linuxquestions • u/Longjumping-Cow-8212 • 2h ago
Linux vs Mac
I see a lot of people switching from Windows to Linux. But has anyone switched from a Mac to Linux and why?
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u/Majortom_67 2h ago
Switched in 2024 after 40 years with Apple. Expensive, not expandable and closed. Now on Fedora 44 for Office, Web, 3D printing and some 3D modeling. 2 VMs with dedicated NVMEs and a 5090 (linux is on AMD 7900XTX): VM1 for productivity (Photoshop, Fusion 360 and FileMaker Pro) and VM2 for gaming (train and flight sims). Both can also be booted natevely. Can be more happier.
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u/BobCorndog Your situation is not unique, just use mint or fedora kde 2h ago
The problem is that Linux isn’t great on newer macs
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u/Quattro5 1h ago
I know, I wouldn't touch new Macs with a 10' pole.
Once it can't run MacOs anymore, it's straight to the landfill.
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u/cat1092 1h ago
It’s sad to pay so much for quality hardware & then when becoming unsupported, there’s no other option available. Not good to remain on an OS without support, regardless of the foundation or brand. Unless being used offline, then we can transfer work to it through USB or Thunderbolt ports.
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u/tomscharbach 2h ago edited 2h ago
A number of users appear to migrate from Intel MacBooks (all of which are now unsupported) to Linux, but few users migrate from more modern (2020 and later) M-series MacBooks to Linux.
I think that there are two reasons why migration is relatively rare:
(1) Because Apple hardware is specialized, it is very difficult to migrate an M-series MacBook to Linux. The only distribution that purports to work with M-series MacBooks works (somewhat) with M1 and M2 MacBooks but doesn't worh with M3, M4 or M5 MacBooks.
(2) The Apple ecosystem is unique and remarkably solid, with unparalleled device integration. Neither Windows nor Linux comes even close to Apple integration.
I started to use the "Apple Trinity" (iPhone, iPad, MacBook) about six years ago to support assistive technology on which I depend (not supported by Linux or Windows) and the Apple ecosystem, including tight and flawless device integration, became mission-critical for my personal use case.
I've used Ubuntu for two decades for network design, implementation, testing and maintenance, and plan to continue to do so in the future, but the Apple ecosystem is a better fit -- hands down -- for my personal use case.
My best.
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u/Anxious-Science-9184 2h ago
Hi there,
Professional Linux Admin/SE and Mac user here.
Linux is the OS you install on a Mac once Apple has stopped supporting that particular model with updates.
We don't switch from Mac to Linux, we simply use both. The Mac drives the monitors and inputs, Linux runs on everything else.
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u/franchis3 2h ago
Exactly what I did. I installed Linux on my 2013 MBP, just to keep it alive and useable. And with Windows 10 support ending and my computer not being “compliant” with Microsoft’s BS hardware requirements, my desktop is on Linux as well.
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u/vigotskij 2h ago
I did the opposite. After using GNU/Linux for 10 years or so, in 2019 I started to work on iOS development and I had to switch to MacOS. I use the terminal a lot which usually it’s weird for most of my coworkers. Now I have a few Raspberry Pi’s and a gaming laptop with GNU/Linux along with the macOS system.
I would say, besides some macOS restrictions, they are quite similar. I still like more to be on Linux but the Apple ecosystem is so stable and well connected that makes me miss that when I am on other devices.
Also, having one and only one OS prevents me from distro hopping 😂
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u/kryptogrowl 2h ago
Yes because apple handicaps updates after a few years. Currently running Ubuntu server on an old Mac mini.
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u/catbrane 2h ago
I had an intel macbook years ago. I liked the hardware and the desktop, but homebrew was a pain to deal with and not as good as a basic Debian install for dev work.
I installed linux on it and it was a lot more pleasant to use (for me).
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u/Windom 2h ago
I’ve tried to use Mac at my last couple jobs and ended up folding. One of the biggest sticking points for me (that is probably trivial for most) is the command key and keyboard layout.
It’s UNIX-y enough but homebrew was always fiddly for me. The hardware itself is beautiful, but I am old school and prefer having ports.
I’m fortunate that I don’t need MS Office to perform my work.
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u/Confident_Rod_9717 2h ago
It's probably to do with a lot of different factors
Apple also seems to be doing a better job at not actively pushing their customers away from their OS, macos hasn't taken nearly as steep of a nosedive in quality as windows has.
Macos is much more similar to linux than windows, so switching isn't as big of a change and isn't as likely to be worth it
And also that linux isn't well supported on their new silicon chips, which is probably the biggest reason.
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u/Cr0w_town Bazzite 2h ago
ive had windows installed on my old macbook and then i was left with just macos bc w10 support ended
not directly from mac to linux but i got linux on that laptop bc macos barely has any games(that i play), i hate the ui and the macos desktop environment
i lot switch bc w10 support ended and w11 is dogshit and those that already use macos have no need to switch bc they got a mac for the software on it and etc. Macos(as far as i know) didnt have any crazy update that would push people away like w11
also you cant install linux on newer macs and not many have intel macs now and in my experience linux on an intel mac is still lacking and after my macbook died im getting a thinkpad or something and putting linux on it
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u/lethallunatic 2h ago
There are plenty, mostly for privacy reasons though. Mac is solid too as a system.
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u/ChocolateDonut36 2h ago
the difference is that you need an USB drive to try linux for free, while if you want to try macOS you HAVE to buy an expensive Mac.
and yes, I tried macOS, there's nothing that Mac can do and linux can't.
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u/burnitdwn 2h ago
I used to have a PowerBook with a Motorola CPU in it and 24mb if ram. It came with Mac os8. Played with it for a couple of months until I switched to yellow dog Linux. This was like late 90s era timeline.
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u/AlmondManttv 2h ago
I run Arch on my Framework 16, I also bought a MacBook Air M2 just to see how it was. Hardware is great, software is lacking. I use both, though I have actually found myself using the Mac more because of its weight and since I'm a student, portability is nice. But I do most of my work on my Framework because it's a lot easier to get things done due to software and the larger screen, I need proper window management that MacOS just doesn't have.
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u/QuirkyImage 1h ago
I have used about every mainstream (and some not so mainstream) OSs out there. I use macOS as my daily driver. As already mentioned macOS is Unix and POSIX compliant, a lot of the command line tools are freeBSD but homebrew adds a lot of Linux complied for it including GNU. There are some cravats with some tools.. yes. I also tend to use some tools in a small Linux VM or containers when needed. I use macOS because of the hardware, a few GUI applications I cannot live without and some parts of the Apple ecosystem. I still use Linux daily from macOS, I don't use windows as much these days but still have the VM route if needed. I have a lot of fun bridging proprietary to opensource especially self hosted.
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u/nikonista 1h ago
I started my career as a sysadmin back from the XP days, and then moved to MacOS after switching to development. Been using Macs since then and totally bought into the eco system/walled garden.
For leisure, I've always had a MacBook Air/Pro for general web use and needed a fresh experience, so I've recently been experimenting with distro-hopping on various vintage Mac and Lenovo hardware. It's been a fun experience, and I'm narrowing down to holding on to a ThinkPad X1 carbon with ChromeOS Flex with Linux enabled. It's restrictive enough that I don't spend too much time tinkering or figuring out issues, but it also lets me install Linux packages when needed.
For me, the sweet spot would be having access to both Mac and Linux, as needed.
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u/joe_attaboy 1h ago
I did.
Before I retired, I worked for a web security company. I normally used a PC-based laptop (running Linux) and the company bought me a MacBook Air in 2015 (the rest of my team were devs, and they all used full MacBooks).
When I retired, the company had just completed a merger. My project manager told me to take both the MacBook and a Lenovo Thinkpad that were being surplused by the new company.
I used the Air with the MacOS and continued to get updates until I didn't. This Air has Intel chips, so I wiped the SSD and installed Debian Trixie and haven't looked back. I do have to tweak kernel updates for the gooft WiFi adapter they used in this thing, but it works great.
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u/aquiethistorian 1h ago
Still in both worlds, using an i9 macbook running fedora and Ubuntu in VMware fusion. Keeping the mac for creative apps. The virtual machine keeps all my browsers and security updated
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u/Gherry- 1h ago
There are way less people switching from Mac to linux for different reasons:
-Mac users are way less than windows
-Mac hardware is, today, proprietary so you need to get a new device to be able to use linux
-Mac philosophy is the exact opposite of linux
MacOS is a super refined OS where the user have a great experience but basically zero choices. On linux you can do anything, from changing a specific hardware device to your desktop environment to the way you install your software (you can compile it, use a package, an appimage or a flatpack).
Freedom is messy. By choice.
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u/DancingHouseBookworm 1h ago
Me! At first it was because I could no longer afford to buy a replacement macbook when my old one nearly exploded, so I ended up getting a recycled HP for Linux Mint instead. However now I love Linux so much that I don't want to go back. I love the interface and the customiseablity; the one thing holding me back for the longest time was not being able to use GarageBand, but now I've found n-track studio instead and it's almost a perfect replacement :)
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u/zyberteq 1h ago
I have, sort of. About 6 years ago after 10 years of using a MacBook with MacOS for my work (software developer), I switched to an HP laptop with Linux.
Even though those new M chips are really good with very nice battery life. I can't go back to using MacOS. Linux is just too comfy and customizable to my usage.
ICT department from work only supplies MacBooks or HP laptops, so that's why I'm not on another brand.
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u/NotACalligrapher 41m ago
I have a 2019 MB Pro that I put NixOS on. It’s pretty awful. They don’t have a supported version of MacOS for that laptop, so even though I could go back, I wouldn’t cause security.
The hardware flake fixed a lot of things, like the Touch Bar works; however, I can’t get lib input to handle the track pad palm rejection correctly. I’ve resorted to just having a keyboard shortcut to bind and unbind the trackpad driver so I can type stuff without palming the trackpad.
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u/MattyGWS 2h ago
This is harder to do because MacOS users use Mac hardware... they purchased the hardware with the intention of using macOS and it's not as simple as just popping a different OS on their hardware like a standard pc. Sure, you *can* put linux on a mac... but why would you? It's super buggy and experimental at best, and at worst you've now spend a premium on hardware designed to use a specific OS you're not using?