Linux Mint Forums

I'm considering buying MacBook Air and I have a few questions for you guys: I have never used any macs before and I'm really curious about what sets it apart from other OSes. OS X is highly praised for its looks and speed but what I don't understand is if it is a unix-like, just like Linux, why would it be so different. I went DuckDuckGoing forums and stuff and I find something tottally different; most users, including some OSX forums member, praise Linux Mint in particular over OSX for the above traits, especially speed, while others OS X. What I want to know is:

1- Is OS X a better choice and why?
2- If I get a MacBook Air and install Linux Mint on it would I get any boosts in speed and graphics?
3- Is it true that OS X has backports?
4- Which one is faster: Linux Mint 17 Cinnamon or OS X Mountain Lion?
5- I have been using Linux as my main and only OS for 4 years now with no issues at all, just a few ironing from time to time, and all my family like it (namely Linux Mint) . Would I face problems setting things up on an OS X?
6- Does it include codecs by default just like Linux Mint?
7- Is it as flexible as Linux Mint in terms of customization?
8- Does it have effects like Cinnamon?

Thanks guys

Weren't you the one who complained that Linux Mint 17 is a terrible turd and you switch to Ubuntu?

You should buy a Mac and spend as much time as you can on Mac forums.

Fans will probably say Apple is better; it certainly exists as a platform (hardware + OS + Software), but so does Google Android

I actually find some actions on a MAC OSX to be strange, especially Finder. I quite often find a MACbook to have a twitchy mouse, perhaps that is something that can be fixed with an appropriate setting for the touchpad--> don't know for sure.

Though in many respects it won't be that much different than windows explorer (file manager) or any of the various Linux file managers provided with different desktop styles
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compariso ... e_managers
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2512

http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=1681424
--I think some of the common myths will apply, even if just myths : example It just works..

• Never completely true for any OS..

Additionally some software that exists for Apple OSX is also available for Linux
--not Ms Office, of course

• But I simply use LibreOffice

--and the only problem I usually have is spacing on documents when using Ms docx vs Writer docx mode
A PDF export fixes all these isses
--and as a more portable document format is probably better anyway!.

I still have a windows XP pro running and don't intend to change it any time soon or ever, it still runs fine and is good for PC games

• Point being: I don't need to keep jumping to the newest platform or OS to feel I have a good computing/user experience..
  --might make me a bad customer/ not trending so well, I guess.

MartyMint wrote:You should buy a Mac and spend as much time as you can on Mac forums.

Ditto!

Zorba wrote:1- Is OS X a better choice and why?
2- If I get a MacBook Air and install Linux Mint on it would I get any boosts in speed and graphics?
3- Is it true that OS X has backports?
4- Which one is faster: Linux Mint 17 Cinnamon or OS X Mountain Lion?
5- I have been using Linux as my main and only OS for 4 years now with no issues at all, just a few ironing from time to time, and all my family like it (namely Linux Mint) . Would I face problems setting things up on an OS X?
6- Does it include codecs by default just like Linux Mint?
7- Is it as flexible as Linux Mint in terms of customization?
8- Does it have effects like Cinnamon?

I have a very pronounced apple-bias, I've used apple computers for ages. And have always felt that OSX was the pinnacle of OS design. The only reason I switched lately is I got tired paying and arm and a leg for hardware repairs.

1- A) The "just works" philosophy is very true for OS X. Mint has come a long way, but I'd still be careful to suggest to just anyone out there that they could install and run Mint without running into a problem. I could tell anyone to install OS X and they'd be able to run it, and learn their way around it, it really is so simple.
B) Column-View file manager. I'm sad Dolphin doesn't have this anymore, I don't know of any other linux file manager that does. Reading the post on why dolphin no longer included it, it seems like it's too complicated a thing for any one person to maintain alone. Being able to navigate dense file trees while dragging and dropping, or just using the arrow keys. It really is blazing awesome.
C) Cairo dock is nice, but it can't mimic the way OS X handles windows and applications. Which is real bummer because I think that the OS X implementation is very intuitive and the way "it should be".

2- Speed? Not likely. Graphics? Probably, Mac OS X comes packaged with it's drivers, meaning you can't update the video drivers aside from the once-every-aeon software system update. So linux mint has better video drivers. Also, apple has been really bad about updating their version of OpenGL.

3- No, not really. OS X is very sleek and dropped a lot of baggage by not worrying about backwards compatibility. But the cost is that you have to keep relatively up-to-date.

4- OS or applications? It depends. As an OS, X is very fast, but Linux Mint has better video card drivers.

5- Yes.

7- No. It is customizable somewhat. It makes up for it's lack of customization by having pretty rocking defaults.

8- Yes it has effects. It may take a little terminal action to tweak them.

apple is known for having propietary hardware. you might could install mint on it but it might not work as good as OSX.

1- Is OS X a better choice and why?

it depends on what did you use. if you're on a mac then OSX is the best choice.

2- If I get a MacBook Air and install Linux Mint on it would I get any boosts in speed and graphics?

probably not. 1. the retina display doesn't work well on linux yet. 2. sometimes mac customize the GPU used in their product. common driver which used on linux doesn't work well on them.

5- I have been using Linux as my main and only OS for 4 years now with no issues at all, just a few ironing from time to time, and all my family like it (namely Linux Mint) . Would I face problems setting things up on an OS X?

probably yes. it has propietary hardware. linux driver doesn't work well on them.

6- Does it include codecs by default just like Linux Mint?

yes

7- Is it as flexible as Linux Mint in terms of customization?

no. linux-bsd is gives you more freedom.

8- Does it have effects like Cinnamon?

certainly yes

MartyMint wrote:You should buy a Mac and spend as much time as you can on Mac forums.

+1000!!!
Best way to get rid of that troll!

Karlchen wrote:Nothing which the OP has said or asked in this thread justifies such a personal attack. Warning issued.

konjad wrote:Weren't you the one who complained that Linux Mint 17 is a terrible turd and you switch to Ubuntu?

I changed my mind very easy

skywolfblue wrote:

Zorba wrote:1- Is OS X a better choice and why?
2- If I get a MacBook Air and install Linux Mint on it would I get any boosts in speed and graphics?
3- Is it true that OS X has backports?
4- Which one is faster: Linux Mint 17 Cinnamon or OS X Mountain Lion?
5- I have been using Linux as my main and only OS for 4 years now with no issues at all, just a few ironing from time to time, and all my family like it (namely Linux Mint) . Would I face problems setting things up on an OS X?
6- Does it include codecs by default just like Linux Mint?
7- Is it as flexible as Linux Mint in terms of customization?
8- Does it have effects like Cinnamon?

I have a very pronounced apple-bias, I've used apple computers for ages. And have always felt that OSX was the pinnacle of OS design. The only reason I switched lately is I got tired paying and arm and a leg for hardware repairs.

1- A) The "just works" philosophy is very true for OS X. Mint has come a long way, but I'd still be careful to suggest to just anyone out there that they could install and run Mint without running into a problem. I could tell anyone to install OS X and they'd be able to run it, and learn their way around it, it really is so simple.
B) Column-View file manager. I'm sad Dolphin doesn't have this anymore, I don't know of any other linux file manager that does. Reading the post on why dolphin no longer included it, it seems like it's too complicated a thing for any one person to maintain alone. Being able to navigate dense file trees while dragging and dropping, or just using the arrow keys. It really is blazing awesome.
C) Cairo dock is nice, but it can't mimic the way OS X handles windows and applications. Which is real bummer because I think that the OS X implementation is very intuitive and the way "it should be".

2- Speed? Not likely. Graphics? Probably, Mac OS X comes packaged with it's drivers, meaning you can't update the video drivers aside from the once-every-aeon software system update. So linux mint has better video drivers. Also, apple has been really bad about updating their version of OpenGL.

3- No, not really. OS X is very sleek and dropped a lot of baggage by not worrying about backwards compatibility. But the cost is that you have to keep relatively up-to-date.

4- OS or applications? It depends. As an OS, X is very fast, but Linux Mint has better video card drivers.

5- Yes.

7- No. It is customizable somewhat. It makes up for it's lack of customization by having pretty rocking defaults.

8- Yes it has effects. It may take a little terminal action to tweak them.

you have really said it all thanks

So....you're getting a Mac?

MartyMint wrote:So....you're getting a Mac?

No From what I read I think I don't need any macs! Linux Mint does aleady the job very well I guess I'll have to stick with Linux Mint and normal PCs

Zorba wrote:

MartyMint wrote:So....you're getting a Mac?

No :lol: From what I read I think I don't need any macs! Linux Mint does aleady the job very well :D I guess I'll have to stick with Linux Mint and normal PCs :D

Too bad!

Don't give up.

You can customise Macs with all sorts of "interesting" bright colours...flashy strobes...blinking notifications...'

You're only cheating yourself. Take the plunge!

Think of the excitement you felt when you discovered Linux Mint!

You can relive that with a new Mac!

Macs run on Apple computers, therefore are less prone to hardware and software crashing. You should totally switch, there is no reason for you to stay with LM.

It sounds like a great idea trying new stuff But I like opensource philosophy and the way it is changing the world So even if I get this Mac, for the sake of knowledge, Linux is not going anywhere but on this new Mac

I think the thead should really be locked the OP has got his answer and things are starting to go alittle south......

Incentive I.C you have the best avatar on the forum, what's it's name again

Incentive I.C wrote:I think the thead should really be locked the OP has got his answer and things are starting to go alittle south......

Reading this, the only reason the OP started this thread is starting some kind of uproar. Why asking this:

I'm considering buying MacBook Air

and come up later with this:

From what I read I think I don't need any macs! Linux Mint does already the job very well

This is really a way for OP to get everybody's attention.

Agree, this thread must be locked by the mod's/admin's!