I want to get a macbook, but am worried that the OS is too restrictive and want to make sure i have some options. Is it possible to install Linux on an apple machine?
2007-10-09 14:27:14 · 7 answers · asked by Codes G 1 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Laptops & Notebooks
I believe you can only install Linux on a mac, as long as you have an Intel based processor.
2007-10-09 14:33:07 · answer #1 · answered by dude8370 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, since you have a Macbook, that also means you have an Intel processor. Any version of Linux for PC can be installed on a MacBook (no, you don't need a mac version of the linux install disk). If you still want OS X on the computer as well, you need to install Boot Camp, which is basically a dual boot manager. It can be found for free on Apple's website. Beware though, it is still a Beta incomplete release, but seems to work pretty well so far.
By the way, I think you have to hold some special key combination on MacBooks to get them to boot CDs. You can find it on Apple's website if need be.
2007-10-09 21:33:45 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
There are versions of Linux that were for the previous chips. I am sure the newer Intel-powered Macs will load Linux as well - but you may need to verify that Mac hasn't done something to make their machines "unique" (if not unique, why buy one???) so that standard Intel-centric Linux distros won't install. Google and "macbook linux" should get you authoritative answers. Even recommendations based on experience, not speculation (I am a speculator when it comes to Mac).
2007-10-09 21:40:27 · answer #3 · answered by Sp II Guzzi 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hello Codes G,
Well, first off, since the release of the Macintosh OS X, Apple has become the number one distributor of Unix in the world. Mac OS X's kernel is BSD Unix. It comes with a terminal program standard in the OS. You can download X-11 from the Apple web site.
http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2003/jan/07x11.html
If you want Linux though, look into Yellow Dog Linux from Terra Soft Solutions for the Macintosh:
http://www.terrasoftsolutions.com/products/ydl/
You can also look into Ubuntu:
http://www.ubuntu.com/
Since you can run Mac OS X, Windows, *nix, and others, I don't think that you will be short of options.
--Rick
2007-10-09 21:57:42 · answer #4 · answered by rickrudge 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The Apple OS X and all previous versions are based upon the Unix Filesystem (or OS) It should work just fine. Just make sure you download the correct version of linux.
The biggest thing about the Intel processors is that Microsoft uses the same processor architecture.
2007-10-09 22:32:36 · answer #5 · answered by budyboy65 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm sorry to say but No. Apple has not designed any program to be compatible with Linux yet. But you could always add Windows and it will work well in a Mac.
2007-10-09 21:34:21 · answer #6 · answered by que.stiones 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are Linux just for Macs only
2007-10-09 21:30:24 · answer #7 · answered by Cupcake 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋