Run Linux directly on a Mac

[dcs.79c]

Since Linux is based on Unix & OS X is based on Unix, I wonder if it is possible to directly run Linux, or any Unix-based OS, on a Mac instead of thru VMWare or some such virtualization software.

I wonder if anyone has tried to do it.

 

[chas_m]

I haven't tried it in a few years, but the answer is yes, you can if you like. You can run Linux either in virtualization (using a program like Parallels, et al) or directly by erasing the hard drive (or partitioning it) and installing Linux. As far as I know, it supports ever flavour of Linux (I've only ever used Ubuntu, and wasn't impressed enough to stick with it).

 

[cradom]

People have been doing it for years. I used to run Yellow Dog linux on my PPC Blue&White.
People run Ubuntu, Debian, Red Hat etc.
Even......Windows.
Oh, and it's actually based on BSD, not Unix.

 

[vansmith]

Since Linux is based on Unix

It was designed to work like Unix and isn't based on it.

Oh, and it's actually based on BSD, not Unix.

BSD is Unix.

...and that's enough pedantic van today.


One thing to keep an eye out for are Mac specific instructions. For example, here's an Ubuntu doc for MacBook Pros.

 

[cradom]

Hey! Go pick your nits somewhere else!
Berkeley Software Distribution - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
See there where it says "Unix-like"? (walks away flipping a quarter and whistling)

 

[Slydude]

Wow, a Thanksgiving rumble to provide pre football entertainment. Texan vs. Canadian. OK gents lets keep things fair. Come out swinging at the sound of the system bong.

Van put away the hockey stick.

 

[dtravis7]

Wow, a Thanksgiving rumble to provide pre football entertainment. Texan vs. Canadian. OK gents lets keep things fair. Come out swinging at the sound of the system bong.

Van put away the hockey stick.

He has had his so called thanksgiving a month ago so he is throwing his Knowledge of Linux at us!


Happy Thanksgiving anyway Van! Go eat some Poutine!

 

[cradom]

I got my Stetson on, bring on the hockey stick!
Happy Thanksgiving all! Pig out on that turkey an stuff. Me, I got roast, Mmmm Mmmm.
Also at work til 1:00 so bah humbug and all that.

 

[vansmith]

Hey! Go pick your nits somewhere else!
Berkeley Software Distribution - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
See there where it says "Unix-like"? (walks away flipping a quarter and whistling)

OS X:

OS X /ˌoʊ ɛs ˈtɛn/, formerly known as Mac OS X, is a series of Unix-based graphical interface operating systems developed and marketed by Apple Inc.

Apparently, all the BSD variants are Unix-like except for OS X (see here). So, the BSD at the core of OS X is Unix. I'll just take that quarter from you now and start my own whistling.

He has had his so called thanksgiving a month ago so he is throwing his Knowledge of Linux at us!

So called? Pfft, not my fault you're celebrating late.

 

[MacInWin]

Somebody make a video! Stetsons, hockey sticks, turkey and Poutine! What a visual spectacle that will make!

 

[johnodd4]

honestly you can install linux the question is are you going to keep mac os x as well if so you will constantly get a error that the linux partition cannot be read by mac os x do you want to ignore or erase this is the only problem with running linux

 

[Slydude]

Somebody make a video! Stetsons, hockey sticks, turkey and Poutine! What a visual spectacle that will make!

ROTFL If we're taking bets my money is on the Texan. Probably got something a little stronger than a hockey stick under that Stetson.

BTW Craig since I'm getting the big head that Stetson probably wouldn't fit would it?

 

[cradom]

BTW Craig since I'm getting the big head that Stetson probably wouldn't fit would it?

Do you know how big ten gallons is? Course you might punch the crease out a lil bit...

 

[gsahli]

Back to the OP's question -

I wonder if it is possible to directly run Linux, or any Unix-based OS, on a Mac

Read here:
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/DualBoot/MacOSX

 

[vansmith]

ROTFL If we're taking bets my money is on the Texan. Probably got something a little stronger than a hockey stick under that Stetson.

You do know that, despite our peaceful demeanour (very much a stereotype - there are quite a few jerks from St. John's to Victoria), we live and breathe one of the most violent sports? You don't want an angry Canadian.

But yes, back to the question. Underneath it all, a Mac is mostly commodity hardware with some proprietary bits thrown in. Thus, the need to find instructions to account for the minor nuances that might complicate things.

Is there a particular distro that you prefer?

 

[cradom]

we live and breath one of the most violent

breath? I think you meant breathe. Gonna make a redneck outta you yet.

OP, your best bet will probably be Ubuntu.

 

[vansmith]

Indeed I did mean breathe. But, for the sake of not admitting fault, I absolutely meant breath.

 

[dcs.79c]

I haven't tried it in a few years, but the answer is yes, you can if you like. You can run Linux either in virtualization (using a program like Parallels, et al) or directly by erasing the hard drive (or partitioning it) and installing Linux. As far as I know, it supports every flavour of Linux (I've only ever used Ubuntu, and wasn't impressed enough to stick with it).

OK, I have another question. One can build a PC & install Linux directly on it. Apparently, one can also install Linux directly on a Mac. I've seen YouTube videos about building a Hackintosh & installing OS X on it. Isn't that a violation of the license agreement that one clicks "Agree" on when installing OS X?

 

[gsahli]

Isn't that a violation of the license agreement that one clicks "Agree" on when installing OS X?

Yes...

 

[cradom]

And that is the reason you wont find any threads, posts, conversations about it on these forums.