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
You must be using some junk touchpads then. I have two that work just as they would on a Mac. No issues.
Nah, the precision Apple touchpads had 10 years ago still is unmatched today by Windows or Linux, but I'm afraid that's not a software issue
Please explain how "Windows" and "Linux" manufactured these touchpads?
Dying to know
Dude, dial down the hostility
Even the gestures? Mac’s gesturing system for the UI and all native and most non native apps is why I stay with it.
The MacOS specific ones like zooming out to show all active windows in a workspace, or flipping to the next app aren't there because, well...that's MacOS specific.
All the more universal ones like pinch to zoom, scrolling...etc are all there. I actually used an Apple TouchPad for years just because I had it around. Worked fine.
You can also run a simple plugin in Gnome to map custom gestures to whatever you want if needed.