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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.

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Linux on iMac? (jlai.lu)

submitted 2 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

21 comments fedilink hide all child comments

Question is title.

In the past I've installed many distros on many older PCs, but never used linux properly (although slowly moving over to avoid win11). I've also had a heap of history with windows installs.

A family member has been testing Mint on an old laptop and is going well. This is a trial run before I update their iMac laptop (not sure what one but no longer supposed by OS updates).

I've never booted to an iMac BIOS or installed over top of apple.

Is this going to be like installing over windows?
What issues can I expect?
Should I consider another distro?

Asking here as searching results in AI bullshit websites.

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[–] [email protected] 11 points 2 months ago (2 children)

This depends on which iMac it is. If it's an Intel iMac, it is slightly easier, and if it's an Apple Silicon iMac, it will be a bit more difficult. If it's a Silicon, you'd need to use Asahi Linux, or have varying support. If it's Intel, I'm pretty sure it's similiar to installing on a PC, but can't say for sure. I'll look into it more

[–] [email protected] 5 points 2 months ago (2 children)

Yeah... to my knowledge it's the same as a "normal" UEFI system, but instead of pressing esc or f12 you hold the alt or option key on startup. Then select your USB, and boot. I'd strongly advise you test everything before installing.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 2 months ago

Yep, it’s the same! Option key during startup is the only difference 🙋🏼‍♀️

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 months ago

Thx

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (1 children)

I installed Fedora on a 2015 MacBook pro. It works well, though the camera doesn't work and bt is bonky, to say the least - but I couldn't care less about that.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 months ago

Did you install the facetimehd module?