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?
MacOS is a brand of proprietary graphical operating Systems developed by Apple and marketed as the primary OS in Mac computers. Its latest release is macOS Catalina 10.5, a closed-source operating system with open-source components written in C, C, Swift, and Objective C and available in 39 languages. MacOs-Linux, an operating system based on Ubuntu 11.04 (Natty Narwhal) that imitates Mac OS X as closely as possible, is now available for download.
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.
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.
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).
Reason Mac (Crack + Keygen) Torrent! Reason 11.3.3 MAc most recent form has included new devices and highlights maybe it has two flashiest updates that are Europa and Sound modules. It is the advanced sound workstation for altering and making sound clasps and music cuts by Swedish programming. Backup4all Professional 8.8 Build 335 Crack & Serial Key Download Backup4all Professional Crack is an award-winning backup program for Windows that has been installed and used on the International Space Station and the company behind it has been going for 17 years, so. Reason free download mac. Reason 8 free download - Reason, Reason, AV for Reason 100 - What's New in Reason 8, and many more programs. Propellerhead Reason 8 Download Full With Crack - Patcher 2015 DOWNLOAD NOW: bitly.com/reason8downloadx DOWNLOAD NOW: bitly.com/reason8downloadx.
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.
Want to try Linux but looking for something familiar? If you are a Mac user who fits this description, then this article is just for you!
ELEMENTARY OS
Elementary OS is often praised as the most beautiful desktop around. It is automatically set up to look and act like a Mac, and has a strong focus on keeping it simple. However, it does not come with the Gnome Software Center, but rather it’s own. Unfortunately, this Software Center is rather limited compared to its’ Gnome counterpart. However, it offers an even more similar experience to Apple’s Appstore, thus keeping it simple and easy for new users migrating from a Mac.
Best Linux Os For Macbook
While not as customizable as many other Linux distros, it has a much more beautiful setup by default. As with most Linux distros, they can be made to look however the user sees fit. However, Elementary OS is one of the few that aims to satisfy it’s users as far as looks go, without any changes. Due to this, you can have a gorgeous desktop without doing anything!
SOLUS
Solus will easily roll you from one year onto another without ever having to reinstall your Operating System. This is due to the fact that it features a rolling release cycle. This means that not only can you update your programs natively, you can also update your system whenever a new component comes out. This means that you can keep your entire system up-to-date indefinitely! Mac’s actually do this also, as shown by their software updates. These software updates allow the user to upgrade their Mac from, for example, 9.3.5 to 10.0. Now with Solus, you can continue this tradition with Linux!
Solus features three Desktop Environments, namely Mate, Budgie, and Gnome. The first Desktop Environment is explained in the above section concerning Ubuntu. However, Budgie and Gnome are not. Gnome is the same desktop that the default flavor of Ubuntu uses, but Solus does not customize the setup as much, leaving it at the default Gnome setup. As for Budgie, that is Solus’ flagship in the DE category. It is a DE similar to Gnome, except for the fact that it’s settings are in the style of a bar on the side of the screen rather than a traditional settings application. This bar features a setup similar to that of a Mac due to it’s Notifications column and it’s General settings one. Overall, this aids in completing the look and feel of a Mac.
Linux Os For Mac
Unfortunately, most rolling distros tend to have more glitches than non-rolling ones. This is because the user is always receiving the newest programs and applications available, and consequently these newer versions of the software have often not been tested as long as the older versions have. Due to this, most rolling distros are not recommended to those new to Linux. However, Solus is an exception. It is known for remaining incredibly stable even though it has a rolling nature to it.
Sadly, Solus does not have quite as much software available as other Linux distros. It includes the most popular programs, but if you are looking for a less known one, you may be out of luck. Thankfully, if you feel you just need a certain application or program, you can contact the developers of Solus and they will at least look into adding the program you mentioned to them into the available software for you to install.
DEEPIN
Deepin is rapidly growing in popularity in the Linux world due to it’s attractive interface. It has stunning visual effects and features a settings bar on the side of the desktop. This settings bar replaces the traditional application for customizing your settings, just like the side bar in Solus. As for the taskbar, it can be made to look and act either like a Mac or a Windows machine with one click. Simply right cllick on the taskbar and select Properties and then pick either Fashion Mode for a Mac look or Efficient Mode for a Windows look.
While many distros use tools already out there and available, Deepin does not utilize mny of them. Instead, its’ developers create their own applications to go along with their distro. A few examples of this are Deepin Movie, Deepin Screenshot, and Deepin File Manager. This way, your experience is guaranteed to have a uniformed feel to it.
Conclusion:
While Elementary OS has plenty of software available, both Solus and Deepin are somewhat more limited in that field. Thus, if you are feeling adventurous, it would be advisable to install Deepin or Solus through the Antergos Community Edition. Inside the installer, the “Solus” option will be titled “Budgie” and the Deepin option will remain the same, with the title “Deepin”. If you go with this method, not only will you will have plenty of software to choose from, but your Operating System will be using a rolling release approach. This means that you can just continuously update your system, rather than re-installing it every few years when a new version of it comes out. However, it also means that since everything is being continuously updated, you will be using the newest versions of software available. This is generally a good thing, except when it comes to stability. Since the software is newer, it has not had as much time to be thoroughly tested, and therefore a glitch or two in your system has a higher chance of taking place than it would if you were not using a rolling release approach. This is true for any distro that features a rolling release cycle, with the exception of Solus. As for that distro, the developers have taken great pains to keep it stable and fully reliable, although there are less programs available for it.
Download Linux Os For Mac
In the end, it is your choice. There are positives and negatives to either approach. However, since all of these distros are 100% free (just like any Linux distro is) you can always change your mind later and install a different distro of your choice. It’s entirely up to you! Enjoy!