it wasnt me
macrumors 6502a
I assumed said member wouldn't know about other free operating systems. Reading some of the posts here, I still think that many don't.
Sure. "Without sound". That's probably it.
"Seriously", don't post FUD please.
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Linux which Distro?
- Thread starter Washac
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I assumed said member wouldn't know about other free operating systems. Reading some of the posts here, I still think that many don't.
Sure. "Without sound". That's probably it.
"Seriously", don't post FUD please.
What's FUD here? Here's someone's writeup of using OpenBSD 7.8 on an M1 Air:
Installing OpenBSD on an M1/M2 Mac
Installing OpenBSD on an M1/M2 Mac. GitHub Gist: instantly share code, notes, and snippets.
gist.github.com
No GPU acceleration, no sound. Some people maybe get sound apparently. OpenBSD doesn't have support for the M1/M2 GPU because the driver is written in Rust.
If you like OpenBSD, great, but it's even more niche and limited than Linux for most . I'm not going to recommend people use Haiku even though it runs pretty well on my ThinkPad W520 and has a sick interface.
it wasnt me
macrumors 6502a
Apple Silicon sound drivers are in OpenBSD, they have been for quite a few versions.
OpenBSD does support Rust.
Here is a complete list of operating systems that are generally a good recommendation for most people:
-
Everyone has their own set of requirements. OpenBSD does fit me, yes. Linux might fit others, also yes. Haiku is an amazing choice if all you need is a browser and a GUI, yes too.
maflynn
macrumors Broadwell
For good reason
I can't speak for the other member but it seems you're causing more distraction then helpful advise.
dmr727
macrumors G4
I've got as much of a nerd streak as the next guy, and I'll download BSD if I drink a bunch of IPAs and suddenly decide I'd like to play Doom on my toaster oven.
But for my daily driver desktop, Linux is a much more reasonable choice.
But for my daily driver desktop, Linux is a much more reasonable choice.
DaveFromCampbelltown
macrumors 68020
This comment was made some 5 years ago. None of those systems will run on modern M-series Macs, except under VMware or equivalent.
There are a number of other distros worth looking at as well, that will run in Intel hardware -- Pop!_OS, Zorin, EndeavourOS are only a few of the systems that aim to bridge the gap between Windows/Mac and hard-core Linux.
Have a look at Distrowatch
maflynn
macrumors Broadwell
PopOS is good, though it seems a bit slower in releasing updates, at least that was the case when I was trying/using it. I settled on CachyOS, I think the rolling release falls more in line with my comfort level and the game packages make installing/playing games very simple.
MacBH928
macrumors G3
Don't you run FreeBSD? thats even weirder.
what alternatives? I hope you are not suggesting FreeBSD as daily driver for the average consumer.
same, an OS that i will have to fight with to boot doesn't give good indication for future personal use.
OpenBSD runs on M chips macs?
Yes, using the Asahi Linux bootloader and the OpenBSD ARM version. I think some other BSDs do the same. I haven’t tried any of them.
maflynn
macrumors Broadwell
So you need to use Linux components, just to get the OS working?
Again, as @MacBH928 mentioned this largely means its not going to be a feasible option for the consumer.
If openBSD needs Linux frameworks, and code just to work, or run applications, why not skip the complexity and just run Linux?
I get that some folks like flex the nerdiness of doing this, heck I remember doing similar flexing back in the day with OS-9 on a floppy disk based computer with only 64k of ram - but the thing about that, is that its more about the accomplishment and less about using the computer doing actual work/activities.
Ubuntu for me is the most complete and user friendly. I've also setup Ubuntu Pro.
maflynn
macrumors Broadwell
Ubuntu is a good option, huge userbase, lots of support. I personally am not a fan of them pushing the SNAP packages, but I'll not make a bigger deal out of it. I think many people don't really care one way or another as long as their apps are available.
Steve Adams
macrumors 68000
I used ElementaryOS on my 2007 crackbook for awhile. It was good, but still I was in the mindset of windows. I would love to give it another shot. But for my needs, I think Zorin wins. I do love the visuals of PearOS as well, but it's not fully stable....YET.
it wasnt me
macrumors 6502a
My last ex-FreeBSD server runs OmniOS nowadays.
The thing forgotten by many of those who talk about the perceived superiority of certain software is that there is no "average consumer". Frankly, if all you need is a web browser and a text editor, there is a whole world of Unix-like and Unix-unlike operating systems ready for you to explore.
Yes, with improved compatibility every six months (= release cycle).
MacBH928
macrumors G3
do you lose anything from Ubuntu if you use an ubuntu based distro like Mint or Pop_OS?
pearOS is back from the dead? didn't expect that
maflynn
macrumors Broadwell
Typically these other Distros are built off of older LTS versions. For instance the current PopOS and Mint distros are based off of Ubuntu 24_04 LTS, where as Ubuntu is now on 26_04 for its LTS variant - so the current PopOS is built built off of a 2 year old distro .
Then there's the DE, Ubuntu is based off of Gnome, where as Mint is cinnamon and PopOS is Cosmic. I prefer Cosmic, and you certainly install a different DE.
Steve Adams
macrumors 68000
I like the fact that you can restore an older computer by just choosing a bistro an load it what I have found over the years is Ubuntu generally works on everything and your accessaries usually will have the least amount of issues is it perfect no none are but if you feel brave you can try KDE/PLASMA you have total control of anyway you want to control it warning you will be using a lot of command line to get there. The new UBUNTU 26.04 looks very promising I will be trying it after .1 release.
S.B.G
Moderator emeritus
For the longest time if I wasn't using a WM and DE instead, I'd use XFCE on Arch. It worked great on a 1080p monitor and met my needs. I like XFCE but it runs on X11 and Wayland support isn't quite there yet for it.
I bought a new LG 4K monitor a few weeks ago and trying to use X11 and XFCE on it was difficult with integer scaling only. So I put KDE Plasma with Wayland on it and now I read things again.
boswald
macrumors 68030
I really like KDE, even though it's kind of like Windows. I heard good things about LxQt too, but I haven't tried that yet. Have you?
The boot stuff (m1n1) is OS independent, not a part of Linux. And yeah, it’s not at all feasible for a typical desktop user as we’re discussing in this thread. But your questions got me thinking and a Neo with OpenBSD would be ideal for specialized field technicians.
For future reference: Work is in progress on a new WM and DE for Linux and BSD called Gershwin. It's designed to look and act like the Leopard-era MacOS (top level global menu, Aqua-ish look, folder hierarchy). It has GNUStep so Cocoa apps can be ported easily. Many other Linux apps will run on it with a top level menu bar so they fit in to the look. They have live ISOs to try it out but to really install it you currently have to run a bunch of scripts manually.
github.com
gershwin-desktop
gershwin-desktop has 17 repositories available. Follow their code on GitHub.
github.com
How active is the project? In the past there was a number of similar projects, but none managed to gain any groundFor future reference: Work is in progress on a new WM and DE for Linux and BSD called Gershwin. It's designed to look and act like the Leopard-era MacOS (top level global menu, Aqua-ish look, folder hierarchy). It has GNUStep so Cocoa apps can be ported easily. Many other Linux apps will run on it with a top level menu bar so they fit in to the look. They have live ISOs to try it out but to really install it you currently have to run a bunch of scripts manually.
gershwin-desktop
gershwin-desktop has 17 repositories available. Follow their code on GitHub.