A lot of Mac users have reported Fedora to be one of the best-functioning Linux distros you can run on a Mac. It is impossible to talk about Mac-like operating systems without talking about the Elementary OS project. This is a Linux distribution that adopts some of the design philosophy that Apple employs into their work. How to install Linux on a Mac: Which version of Linux to pick The first thing you need to know is that there are different versions of Linux around. These are known as 'distributions' and each. To help you decide if macOS is really the best choice for you, we picked the top 5 best Linux distributions for Mac users in 2020. What Are the Differences Between macOS and Linux? To start with, Linux is just an operating system kernel, while macOS is a complete operating system that comes bundled with a large number of applications.
Originally two different Linux distros for kids, DebianEdu and Skolelinux merged back in 2003 and became a single distribution known simply as DebianEdu/Skolelinux. ‘Skolelinux’ literally means ‘School Linux’ in Norwegian and is a good indication of what the developers were trying to. Best Linux distro for old hardware: Ubuntu MATE. For running Linux on an older PC in 2019, I’ll recommend you to go with Ubuntu MATE. The latest 19.04 version was a minor upgrade.
Are you looking for Linux distributions that give look like popular Apple’s macOS? Then here is the list to go through…
Although it is impossible to get exactly all features just like macOS in Linux because it is a proprietary one, however, we could install one in open source which at least gives feel like it.
The reason behind the infatuation of macOS is the graphic elements and transitions offered by it. And this is the reason why often people around the world trying to install skin or some third party Mac OS X Transformation packages to even make Windows looks alike mac.
Another is the reasons for all this is to experience the dock and since the Apple products are costly thus, everybody couldn’t afford them.
Indeed, the Hackintosh like methods are available online to install and use macOS but they are full of technical complications and incompatibility to our exiting PCs. Therefore, why not use the Linux with all its open source independence while having the MacBook like UI.
Moreover, with Linux customization scope is limitless, we can make our Debian or Ubuntu look like macOS with the help of Macubuntu transformation pack.
List of Linux distros resembles Apple’s macOS
Before starting this list of open source operating systems look similar to macOS, one thing needs to know, this internal working and other features will be remain of Linux.
Deepin- Nice Linux alternative for macOS
Well, Deepin is Ubuntu base opensource operating system that is popular because of its desktop environment and apps which gives not only macOS even Windows users a quite familiar feeling. However, earlier being a Chinese company & developer of this Linux OS, few people quite sceptical in terms of data privacy, however, that has been cleared by its team that there is nothing unethical happing in Deepin.
Deepin Linux’s macOS look like desktop environment
The DDE (Deepoin desktop environment) offers both dock or Windows 7 like start menu along with notification panel. Even the icons are quite eye-catching.
Also, all the day to day needed apps come pre-installed in Deepin, moreover, its App store has lots of useful apps ready to download on just one click. Yes, the issue I face while using it on my laptop was the wifi signal issues. Otherwise, it was smooth and easy to handle.
Get Deepin Linux
Elementary OS with macOS like UI
If you are looking for a distribution that will take you as far as possible away from the image of a nerdy hacker type driving around a terminal interface, then Elementary OS is exactly what you need. It’s probably one of the most attractive distribution, with a style similar to macOS. The excellent desktop environment of this operating system is called Pantheon and is based on Gnome.
The latest version of Elementary OS also has its own application installation user interface called AppCenter. It’s a wonderfully easy way to install apps outside of the terminal, which is handy since not many are preinstalled.
However, it comes with the Epiphany browser, the Geary email client, and some basic “tool apps”. You may need to add more programs. However, this is with the integrated AppCenter, which contains chargeable programs that have been specially developed for the operating system, e.g. Quilter for aspiring authors or spice-up to create presentations, easily possible.
Backslashlinux
BackSlashLinux is another Linux distro like mac but not that much popular in comparison to above two, however, still, the developers of this Linux distro have done a splendid job to depict macOS.
It is developed by an India software developer team and based on Debian. Backslashlinux comes with icons and dock resemble macOS one. It is one of the Linux distros with closes MacOS look.
In the above screenshot, we can see the icons of Backslashlinux exactly similar to MAC.
Zorin os
Zorin OS is based on Ubuntu and was developed for Linux beginners, so it should be particularly easy to use. Special attention was therefore paid to a clear user interface. The user interface can be adapted with just a few clicks so that it is similar to that of Windows 10 and macOS. The Windows emulators Wine and PlayOnLinux are preinstalled so that many Windows applications can also be run on Zorin OS.
In the above screenshot, we can see Zorin OS Linux doesn’t offer exactly the same user interface like macOS but a touch of it. It offers a dock which can be adjusted to different positions as per the user requirement. Thus, at least give it a try if you are a beginner to Linux.
There are several variants of Zorin OS:
- Zorin OS Core: the standard system; free of charge
- Zorin OS Lite: software selection somewhat reduced; free of charge
- Zorin OS Educational: software selection especially for educational institutions; free of charge
- Zorin OS Educational Lite: software selection especially for educational institutions, but somewhat reduced compared to the educational variant; free of charge
- Zorin OS Ultimate: pre-installed best Business and Media apps; macOS, Windows, Linux & Touch desktop layouts; Over 20 games included; chargeable ($39)
Other Linux distros:
There are many people out there who purchase Apple’s expensive hardware just to get their hands on macOS. What these people often don’t know is that many Linux distributions look and feel just like macOS but run on any computer. To help you decide if macOS is really the best choice for you, we picked the top 5 best Linux distributions for Mac users in 2020.What Are the Differences Between macOS and Linux?
To start with, Linux is just an operating system kernel, while macOS is a complete operating system that comes bundled with a large number of applications. The kernel at the heart of macOS is called XNU, an acronym for X is Not Unix.
Best Linux For Mac Mini
The Linux kernel was developed by Linus Torvalds, and it’s distributed under GPLv2. XNU was originally developed by the American computer and software company NeXT, which was purchased by Apple in 1997. XNU is developed under the Apple Public Source License 2.0, which allows only limited modification of the code by a licensee.
To create complete operating systems (Linux distributions), developers bundle the Linux kernel with third-party open-source applications. This open and flexible approach is one of the biggest strengths of Linux, and it’s also the reason why it can meet the needs of everyone from data centers to home users.
The Linux community has been working tirelessly to support all kinds of hardware, including devices that have been labeled as obsolete by their manufacturers. On the other hand, Apple is actively preventing users from installing macOS on non-Apple hardware, forcing them to purchase expensive Macs.
Apple wants macOS users to install applications only from the App Store, which is inaccessible without a user account. Most Linux distributions that look like macOS come with their own “app stores” packed with free, open-source applications that can be installed with a simple click and without registration.
Top 5 Best macOS Alternatives
Our selection of Linux distributions that look like macOS includes only active projects with a decent number of users. We ranked the distributions according to their similarity with macOS, general usability, and popularity.
1. Elementary OS
Elementary OS presents itself as a privacy-respecting replacement for macOS. It takes just a few minutes to realize that its developers understand what macOS users like about Apple’s operating system. All parts of the Elementary OS—from the familiar bottom dock to individual applications—are designed with ease of use in mind. As a user, you never feel overwhelmed with options because everything just works.
The Pantheon desktop environment, which the developers created from scratch, is arguably the main reason why Elementary OS is so cohesive. In addition to Pantheon, Elementary OS comes with its own heavily curated app store for free and paid applications, called AppCenter. At the moment, there are only 170 applications in the AppCenter, all of which have been reviewed to ensure a native, privacy-respecting, and secure experience.
You can download, install, and use Elementary OS without paying a single dollar, but users are encouraged to make a small donation to support the development of this beautiful and powerful operating system.
2. Deepin Linux
Deepin Linux is based on Debian, and it features its own desktop environment, called the Deepin Desktop Environment (DDE). This desktop environment is written in Qt and is clearly inspired by Apple’s operating system.
The China-based developers of Deepin Linux, Wuhan Deepin Technology Co., Ltd., don’t limit themselves to open-source software. WPS Office, Skype, Google Chrome, and Steam are just a few examples of proprietary applications included in the distribution.
Most basic applications that you would expect to find in any Linux distribution were created by the Deepin development team, and they include Deepin Installer, Deepin File Manager, Deeping System Monitor, and others.
3. Xubuntu
Xubuntu is a derivative of the Ubuntu operating system, one of the most popular Linux distributions in the world. Instead of Ubuntu’s GNOME desktop, it users the Xfce desktop environment, which shares the same basic layout with macOS.
Linux Distros For Mac Users
One of the main goals of Xubuntu is to run well on low-end hardware and older computers. If you have, for example, an aging MacBook with a limited amount of RAM, replacing macOS with Xubuntu will allow you to extend its lifespan by a couple of years.
To work well on older hardware, Xubuntu had to sacrifice some features, and the same can be said about Xfce. Even the included applications can, at times, look a little basic and dated, but they get the job done and don’t consume too much resources.
4. Zorin OS
Designed to be easy to use and feature-complete, Zorin OS is an increasingly popular Linux distribution that directly targets users of macOS who would like to break the chain that binds them to Apple’s expensive hardware.
The distribution is available in over 50 languages and comes with many open-source and proprietary applications. Additional applications can be installed from the built-in app store, and Zorin OS even allows its users to install many Windows apps using the Wine compatibility layer.
Only the most basic version of Zorin OS is free. To unlock a macOS desktop layout, you need to pay €39 for the Ultimate version, which also comes with professional installation support and additional apps and games.
5. Voyager Live
Voyager Live is a French Linux distribution that ships with Voyager-branded computers and tablets. It’s based on Ubuntu and includes excellent support for 2-in-1 convertibles (namely the Voyager PC Tablet).
Linux Distros For Mac Operating System
macOS users will appreciate the familiar layout, with a dock at the bottom and a menu bar at the top. Voyager Live makes heavy use of Conky, a popular desktop system monitor capable of displaying all kinds of information directly on the desktop, including network speed, CPU utilization, tasks, and application shortcuts.
If you’re not afraid to try a less popular Linux distribution (whose website hasn’t even been translated into English), then you might be pleasantly surprised by Voyager Live and its polished version of the Xfce desktop environment.