Macintosh and Linux

By Mouse3020
in Linux

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Mouse3020

Posted
Posted

I've been wanting to put Linux on my iMac for a while now, but I get confused with all the distro options out there, and I've heard that not all of them will run on my computer.

Hardware Overview:

Machine Model: iMac

CPU Type: PowerPC G4 (2.1)

Number Of CPUs: 1

CPU Speed: 800 MHz

L2 Cache (per CPU): 256 KB

Memory: 512 MB

Bus Speed: 100 MHz

Boot ROM Version: 4.4.5f3

Serial Number: W824628KN0S

Any suggestions on a distro, considering I have no Linux experience.

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https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/298885-macintosh-and-linux/
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g-n-t

Posted
Posted

macs arent the bet place to start using linux in. the ppc distros arent as mature as most of the x86 ones.

there is yellowdog, and i think there is also ubuntu. there is gentoo for macs as well, but probably not a very good idea for a noob. yellowdog is probably the best choice at the moment.

if you have vmware/virtualpc(although i dont htink virtual pc runs linux too well), you can try some of hte x86 distros like mandrake and fedora to get your feet wet.

Grand Master

Rudy

Posted
Posted
macs arent the bet place to start using linux in. the ppc distros arent as mature as most of the x86 ones.

there is yellowdog, and i think there is also ubuntu. there is gentoo for macs as well, but probably not a very good idea for a noob. yellowdog is probably the best choice at the moment.

if you have vmware/virtualpc(although i dont htink virtual pc runs linux too well), you can try some of hte x86 distros like mandrake and fedora to get your feet wet.

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wtf are you talking about ?? most distro have a ppc port which is just as uptodate as their x86 conterpart (mandrake has a ppc version)

Grand Master

kyro

Posted
Posted (edited)

almost all good distros have PPC support. yellowdowlinux is the most famous for getting MAC hardware things working (almost all ) and others do good too.

again i will suggest ubuntu ( as i do on other threads) if you are new to this and Gentoo if you have time and enthusiasm for linux.

Edit :- linus is doing same with his G5 .. running linux on it.. but which distro is TOP SECRET.

Edited by kyro
Grand Master

Lechio

Posted
Posted

All distros (that i know of) have an optimized version to run on ppc. Not

just the kernel but all of the apps that come with it. Those hardware specs are pretty

fine to run any distribuiton of linux with the full set of apps WM's and all you need to

make that machine a Linux desktop (guessing here you intend to use it as a desktop). In

fact the G5 processor (well the latest ones) are known to run graphical tasks faster

(due to their design and optimized architecture) when compared to the standard X86 or even

64-bit processor. So go ahead and pic a distro of yor choice :)

Rising Star

Nichotin

Posted
Posted

I have some experience with running Linux on Mac. I have gentoo running on a beige g3 desktop (266mhz) and a 8600 w/g4 400mhz upgrade. I must say Gentoo was the best I could get for those machines. Gentoo does not get in the way, and you got whatever application you need in portage (and that is a real savior when ppc patches are needed and such). It may initially take some time to set up, but it is worth it.

Experienced

El_Cu_Guy

Posted
Posted

Linus has stated in the past that he has used a few distros. These usually depend on his work environment. Although he has mentioned that he uses SuSE at home.

Why on earth would anyone want to put Linux on a Mac

A number of reasons. Perhaps, oh, I dunno, prolong the lifespan of the hardware? Not all Macs can run OSX.

Why would you wanna run it on an Xbox or PS2 (w/HDD)? Same reason(s).

Grand Master

CaKeY

Posted
Posted
I've tried getting Gentoo, but all the sites I try to download it from are unavailable and I can't tell which BiTorrent link I need, any suggestions, I want to try and avoid buying the CDs myself.

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http://www.gentoo.org/main/en/mirrors.xml

None of these work for you?

Veteran

g-n-t

Posted
Posted
He should have his own distro  :)

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first, he doesnt have enough time.

second, it goes against the whole idea of linux. everyone would use LinusOS just because he made it, killing choice.

"That would own"

^proof. hes already switched to an OS that doesnt even exist :p

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