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So I moved to Linux

MacBH928 said:
i am contemplating switching to linux, here are somethings i probably can't live with out:

  • Preview (especially space bar to to preview file)
  • cmd+i(to get file info)
  • global menu/toolbar
  • TextEdit
  • Spotlight
  • Disk Utility
  • The Dock
  • 3 finger click= highlights a word and presents its definition
  • Speak selected text (I do not think there is a replacement for this)
  • FindAnyFile (app)
  • Mail App
  • ImageOptimze (removes meta data, shrinks image size, accessed from context menu)
  • CarbonCopyCloner similar app
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Thanks for this list - I just purchased FindAnyFile app on the Mac App Store. Just $8 and it's already awesome what I was able to search for. What a great little app. Thanks for the tip!!!
 
maflynn said:
No question, but then I said these two distros largely automate the setup and configuration of gaming, and that does in fact make life a lot easier for someone who's switching from windows to Linux to play games.
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Is there an example of what exactly either distro does to automate the setup and configuration of gaming beyond having Steam preinstalled along with, if needed, NVIDIA drivers? Bazzite, for example, does have some slightly more niche stuff as ujust scripts to run, like racing wheel drivers or Sunshine hosting. I will say that the Waydroid setup on Bazzite is great, too bad it doesn't work with NVIDIA though.
 
I moved from iPhone to Pixel with GrapheneOS.

I love my Mac and MacOS (Mini M2 Pro) and have ordered a Neo as a consumption device.

I am seriously thinking of moving to Linux as it is more private and flexible. I have spent a fortune on Mac apps (as I had with iOS apps), but will just have to buy new ones if I need too.

I see there is a Linux version for M Macs (hopefully for Neo too). Will try linux with a few of my older (Intel macs first) and see how I get on.
 
RecentlyConverted said:
I moved from iPhone to Pixel with GrapheneOS.

I love my Mac and MacOS (Mini M2 Pro) and have ordered a Neo as a consumption device.

I am seriously thinking of moving to Linux as it is more private and flexible. I have spent a fortune on Mac apps (as I had with iOS apps), but will just have to buy new ones if I need too.

I see there is a Linux version for M Macs (hopefully for Neo too). Will try linux with a few of my older (Intel macs first) and see how I get on.
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You're in luck since Asahi Linux only works on M1 and M2 series Macs. I've tried it before, but I didn't like it. It won't run on the Neo.
 
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I'd love to switch but I like my apps and can't live without them:

- iA Writer
- Apple Notes

- Procreate
- Sketchbook Pro

- RightFont
- Affinity Designer v2
- CaptureOne
- Eagle

- Things 3
- Excel


- Downie
- IINA
- ABetterFinderRenamer
- Text Soap
 
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cjsuk said:
I really don't give a crap if I have to wait a couple of seconds extra here and there because my RAM isn't on die or my storage isn't bussed directly to the SoC. Realistically the last 6 years of progress does just buy me a couple of seconds here and there. And it doesn't add up to a material gain over the lifespan of the device.
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The memory is like that for the GPU, also for power efficiency.

No halfway decent GPU is using memory that isn't directly on its chip.
 
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Having read the OP I can't imagine anything worse 🤣

thistleknife said:
I believe it! Good for you if this is what you want, but mostly helped prove to me how much Linux isn’t a serious contender as a drop in replacement. Thanks for documenting.
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Precisely. And it's so much effort to achieve some kind of victory that seems built on so much mental gymnastics, at the expense of so many compromises and so much time wasted.

Even his friend could have bought a MacBook Neo or any second hand Apple silicon Mac that would have been price competitive. And wouldn't have put them through a whole bunch of nonsense changing platforms.

Just think of all the time wasted by Linux evangelists tricking the normal people in their lives into this sort of thing.
 
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Xeem said:
If you can replace an M4 Pro workload with an i5-9400, why on earth would you have ever purchased the M4 Pro? Even an M1 significantly outclasses an i5-9400. And I have family members that have been using different 24" Dell P-series displays in my house with no complaints, but those monitors don't even compete in the same zone as a Studio Display.

It sounds like you may have severely overpurchased when shopping for your first setup. Reminds me of a friend of mine that bought an RTX 4090 literally just for Diablo 4 (and then bought a replacement 4090 when his first one fried!).
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You’re not wrong.

The Studio Display was probably the hardest thing to leave. But you know after a couple of weeks I was less bothered.
 
teh_hunterer said:
Having read the OP I can't imagine anything worse 🤣



Precisely. And it's so much effort to achieve some kind of victory that seems built on so much mental gymnastics, at the expense of so many compromises and so much time wasted.

Even his friend could have bought a MacBook Neo or any second hand Apple silicon Mac that would have been price competitive. And wouldn't have put them through a whole bunch of nonsense changing platforms.

Just think of all the time wasted by Linux evangelists tricking the normal people in their lives into this sort of thing.
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I’ll add I’m not a Linux evangelist. I prefer windows. I prefer windows to macOS as well if I’m honest. But Microsoft have really dropped a steamer for the last 7-8 years.

The issue for me is the encroaching issues of privacy, cloud tie in, encroaching AI stuff and being locked into a subscription forever. I think we’re not in a particularly good situation at the moment geopolitically either. The last thing you want in such a situation is to depend on too many things.

No evangelism just the desire to opt out of all that.
 
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cjsuk said:
I’ll add I’m not a Linux evangelist. I prefer windows. I prefer windows to macOS as well if I’m honest. But Microsoft have really dropped a steamer for the last 7-8 years.

The issue for me is the encroaching issues of privacy, cloud tie in, encroaching AI stuff and being locked into a subscription forever. I think we’re not in a particularly good situation at the moment geopolitically either. The last thing you want in such a situation is to depend on too many things.

No evangelism just the desire to opt out of all that.
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I am with you on that but I am staying. I tried the linux thing. A no go for me because of software compatibility. And, being honest, I like windows. I don't have copilot turned on in any of my software. Only the dedicated app. I do wish they would give up on it everywhere. But they have billions invested and are trying to figure out how to profit from their dumb CEO's single minded antics. So here we are.
 
Thanks for taking the time to write this up. It's a thoughtful account of what a long-term migration actually looks like, including the trade-offs rather than just the benefits. I think a lot of people underestimate how much effort is involved in untangling years of ecosystem lock-in.

It's also interesting that your biggest takeaway wasn't really about Linux itself, but about owning your data, reducing dependencies, and having hardware that's inexpensive to replace. Even if someone doesn't agree with every motivation, your practical migration notes are likely to be useful for anyone considering a similar move.
 
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