Linux on iMac?

GlenRambo@jlai.lu to Linux@lemmy.ml – 32 points –

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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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

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.

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

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.