It’s been nearly two years since I switched from Mac to Linux. I used Apple for about 15 years earlier than my transfer and was an entire Linux beginner after I put in my first distribution in summer time 2018.
These days, I run Linux completely. I can do something I would like on it. Regular web shopping and watching Netflix, writing and enhancing content material for my WordPress blog, and even working my open source web analytics startup.
And I am not even a developer! Long gone are the times when Linux was thought of not prepared for on a regular basis utilization nor pleasant sufficient for non-technical individuals.
There’s been loads of discussions recently in regards to the present state of Macs, with an rising variety of individuals contemplating making the swap to Linux. I will share a few of my Mac-to-Linux transition ideas, so different newbies could make a extra comfy transfer.
Should you turn?
Before you turn from Mac to Linux, it is useful to consider when Linux will not be just right for you. If your principal considerations about switching to Linux are tips on how to pair your Apple Watch, make calls on FaceTime, or use iMovie, this transfer will not be best for you. These are all proprietary merchandise that Apple retains underneath lock and key in its walled backyard. If you’re keen on Apple’s ecosystem, Linux might be not the fitting answer for you.
I wasn’t very locked into the Apple ecosystem. I did not have an iPhone, so cellphone integration was not vital. I did not use iCloud, FaceTime, or Siri, both. I used to be already “open source curious,” however I hadn’t made the leap.
Check your favourite apps
I began exploring open supply software program after I was nonetheless on macOS, and I found many of the purposes I exploit will run in each environments.
Familiar with Firefox for internet shopping? It runs on Linux, too. Use VLC to play media? It’s on Linux, too. Use Audacity for audio recording and enhancing? It’s ready for you on Linux. Live-streaming utilizing OBS Studio? There’s a Linux app. Keeping in contact with your loved ones and pals on Telegram messenger? It’s additionally accessible on Linux.
Also, Linux shouldn’t be solely about open supply software program. Most (maybe all) of your favourite non-Apple proprietary apps may be discovered on Linux, too. Spotify, Slack, Zoom, Steam, Discord, Skype, Chrome, and lots of different closed supply apps can be found. In addition, just about something you possibly can run in your browser on macOS can run in your browser on Linux.
It’s a good suggestion to double-check in case your must-have apps can be found on Linux or if there are ample and even higher Linux alternate options. Do some analysis utilizing your favourite search engine. Search for “your favorite app + Linux” or “your favorite app + Linux alternatives,” and have a look at Flathub for proprietary purposes you possibly can set up on Linux utilizing Flatpak.
Remember Linux shouldn’t be Mac
If you need to be comfy along with your transfer from Mac to Linux, I consider it is vital to be open-minded and prepared to be taught a brand new working system. Linux shouldn’t be macOS, and you should give your self a while to get to understand it.
If you need Linux to look and work the identical approach you are used to on macOS, Linux will not be the fitting answer. Even although there are methods to create a Linux desktop setting with the same feel and appear as macOS, I consider that the easiest way to have a profitable transition to Linux is to begin by embracing Linux.
Give its workflow an opportunity, and use it as it’s meant. Do not attempt to flip Linux into one thing that it is not. You could discover that you just take pleasure in it as a lot (or extra) than your Mac, as I did.
Remember the primary time you used a Mac; you wanted a while to get used to the workflow. Give Linux the identical time and care.
Choose a Linux distribution
Unlike Windows and macOS, Linux does not have only one, single OS. The completely different Linux working methods are referred to as distributions, and I’ve used and examined a number of since I have been on Linux. I’ve additionally used a number of desktop environments, or graphical person interfaces, too. They differ quite a bit when it comes to aesthetics, usability, workflow, and built-in apps.
While ElementaryOS and Pop!_OS come up very often as Mac alternate options, I like to recommend beginning with Fedora Workstation for the next causes:
- It is easy to put in to a USB utilizing Fedora Media Writer.
- It is prone to assist your entire out of the field.
- It helps the newest Linux software program.
- It runs the GNOME desktop setting with none further customization.
- It has an enormous group and a big improvement staff behind it.
In my opinion, GNOME is one of the best Linux desktop setting when it comes to usability, consistency, fluidity, and person expertise for newbies coming from macOS. It has essentially the most improvement sources and essentially the most customers within the Linux world, so your chances are high good that every part will work nice.
Fedora can open the doorways of Linux for you, and as you get extra comfy, you can begin exploring the world of distributions, desktop environments, and even window managers additional.
Get aware of GNOME
GNOME is the default window supervisor for Fedora and lots of different Linux distributions. Its latest update to GNOME 3.36 brings a contemporary aesthetic that Mac customers will recognize.
Be ready that Linux, Fedora Workstation, and GNOME should not Apple and macOS. GNOME could be very clear, minimal, trendy, and authentic. There are not any distractions. There are not any desktop icons. There’s no seen dock. There should not even reduce and maximize buttons in your home windows. But do not panic. If you give it an opportunity, it could show to be one of the best and best working system you have ever used.
GNOME will get out of your approach. When you begin it up, the one belongings you see are the highest panel and the background picture. The high panel consists of Activities on the left, the time and date within the heart (which additionally serves as your notifications heart), and tray icons for the community, Bluetooth, VPN, sound, brightness, battery, and such on the right-hand aspect.
How GNOME is like Mac
You’ll discover some similarities with macOS, comparable to window snapping and seeing previews of paperwork by hitting the Spacebar (it really works precisely like Quick Look).
If you drag your mouse icon to the top-left, click on on Activities within the high panel, or press the Super key (i.e., the Apple key) in your keyboard, you’ll get the Activities Overview. Activities Overview is sort of just like the macOS Mission Control and Spotlight Search in a single. It provides you an outline of all of the open purposes and home windows within the heart. On the left-hand aspect, you see the dock, which options all of your favourite and open purposes. There’s an indicator underneath all of the open purposes, and on the right-hand aspect, you possibly can see the completely different workspaces.
In the top-center, there’s a search field. As quickly as you begin typing, the main focus is on that search field. It searches your put in purposes and file contents, finds particular apps within the software program heart, does calculations, provides you the time and climate, and does a lot extra. It acts just about like Spotlight. Simply begin typing no matter you are searching for, and press Enter to open an utility or file.
You may see an inventory of all of your put in purposes (very like Launchpad on Mac). Click on the Show Applications icon within the dock or press Super + A.
In common, Linux could be very light-weight, runs quick even on older , and takes little or no disk house in comparison with macOS. And in contrast to macOS, you possibly can delete any of the preinstalled apps that you do not need or want.
Customize your GNOME settings
Go by means of GNOME Settings to get extra aware of its choices and make modifications that will make it extra comfy for you. Here are among the issues I do as quickly as I set up GNOME:
- In Mouse & Touchpad, I disable pure scrolling and allow tap-to-click.
- In Displays, I allow night time mild, which makes the display shade hotter within the evenings to assist forestall eye pressure.
- I additionally set up GNOME Tweaks to get entry to further settings.
- In Tweaks, I allow Over-Amplification, so I can elevate the amount above 100%.
- In Tweaks, I allow the Adwaita Dark theme, which I desire to the default, mild theme.
Get used to working with the keyboard
GNOME is a really keyboard-centric OS, so attempt to use your keyboard extra. In the Keyboard Shortcut part of GNOME Settings, yow will discover an inventory of the completely different keyboard shortcuts.
You may set your keyboard shortcuts to suit your ideally suited workflow. I set my most-used apps to open utilizing the Super key. For instance, Super + B for my browser, Super + F for recordsdata, Super + T for the terminal, and so forth. I additionally set Ctrl + Q to shut home windows.
I swap between open purposes utilizing Super + Tab. I exploit Super + H to cover a window. I press F11 to open an app in full display. Super + Left arrow to snap the present utility to the left aspect of the display. Super + Right arrow to snap it to the fitting aspect of the display. And so on.
Try Linux in your Mac earlier than committing
You can attempt Fedora out in your Mac earlier than doing a full set up. Simply obtain the ISO picture file from Fedora’s website. Flash the ISO picture file on a USB drive utilizing Etcher, and boot from that drive by urgent the Option key when the pc begins so to attempt it dwell.
Now you possibly can discover the dwell Fedora Workstation with out having to put in something in your Mac. Test various things to see in the event that they work: Can you connect with WiFi? Does your touchpad work? How about audio? And so on.
Spend a while exploring GNOME, too. Test the completely different options I mentioned above. Open among the put in purposes. If every part appears advantageous, in case you like the feel and appear of Fedora Workstation and GNOME, and if you’re positive that that is what you need, then you possibly can set up it in your Mac.
Have enjoyable exploring the world of Linux!
This article is an replace of How I switched from macOS to Linux after 15 years of Apple initially printed on Marko Saric’s web site.