80
Advice for a Mac user switching to Linux?
(sh.itjust.works)
you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
view the rest of the comments
this post was submitted on 19 Jan 2026
80 points (100.0% liked)
Linux
57274 readers
1340 users here now
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).
Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.
Rules
- Posts must be relevant to operating systems running the Linux kernel. GNU/Linux or otherwise.
- No misinformation
- No NSFW content
- No hate speech, bigotry, etc
Related Communities
Community icon by Alpár-Etele Méder, licensed under CC BY 3.0
founded 6 years ago
MODERATORS
This is really good advice thank you! Someone mentioned using a usb to test. How can I test? It seems like quite a hassle to set it all up just to find out it’s not my thing.
Look into a distro that you might like, and find a "live usb" of it, often it is the installation media itself. How it works is basically it is a linux already installed on a disk image you transfer to the usb, and tell the computer to boot from it. Instructions on all this usually comes with the live usb media. Then you usually get a "try it out" or "install" option, or it just leaves you at a pre-configured desktop. Click around, install stuff, browse the web, get a feel for it.
~~Here's a quick how to from Learn Linux TV~~
Wait a minute. Are you wanting to get a different computer? Or boot Linux on your Mac?