Linux on old iMac

I think we all know by now what this section is for.
Post Reply
Max N
Old Hand
Posts: 1453
Joined: Thu Aug 16, 2007 6:10 pm

#1 Linux on old iMac

Post by Max N »

I have an old iMac which is no longer supported (in as much as the latest MacOS isn’t supported by this model)
It also isn’t worth anything on the Apple trade-in.
So I’m thinking of sticking some version of Linux on it, probably Ubuntu. Has anyone tried this?
User avatar
pre65
Amstrad Tower of Power
Posts: 21373
Joined: Wed Aug 22, 2007 11:13 pm
Location: North Essex/Suffolk border.

#2 Re: Linux on old iMac

Post by pre65 »

If you just want a computer for general use you could try turning it into a chromebook.

https://www.macrumors.com/2022/02/16/go ... hromebook/
The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.

Edmund Burke

G-Popz THE easy listening connoisseur. (Philip)
User avatar
Nick
Site Admin
Posts: 15706
Joined: Sun May 06, 2007 10:20 am
Location: West Yorkshire

#3 Re: Linux on old iMac

Post by Nick »

Not tried it Max sorry, but looking online looks like you are on a path well trodden. Kaye got a chromebook some time ago, pain in the arse if you ask me, ok for browsing the net but anything else was just a pain or impossible. Certainly not up to general use for my version of general use. Couldn't even reliably install an imap client.
Whenever an honest man discovers that he's mistaken, he will either cease to be mistaken or he will cease to be honest.
User avatar
ed
retired
Posts: 5384
Joined: Thu Jun 21, 2007 4:01 pm
Location: yorkshire
Contact:

#4 Re: Linux on old iMac

Post by ed »

+1
there are plenty of walkthroughs if you flounder, which I'm sure you won't...

if you really want a challenge though I can recommend arch....the end result is rewarding. Seb is happy with arch and xfce so far. Like Nick I haven't tried it personally. For some reason no apple has managed to get through the door yet.
There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be
User avatar
pre65
Amstrad Tower of Power
Posts: 21373
Joined: Wed Aug 22, 2007 11:13 pm
Location: North Essex/Suffolk border.

#5 Re: Linux on old iMac

Post by pre65 »

Nick wrote: Sun Sep 04, 2022 10:24 am Certainly not up to general use for my version of general use. Couldn't even reliably install an imap client.
General use as someone who does not even know what an imap client is, let alone need to install one. :wink:
The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.

Edmund Burke

G-Popz THE easy listening connoisseur. (Philip)
Max N
Old Hand
Posts: 1453
Joined: Thu Aug 16, 2007 6:10 pm

#6 Re: Linux on old iMac

Post by Max N »

Thanks for the wise words guys, I will give it a go.
Linux is becoming a bit more of a player at work, the younger guys are doing the heavy lifting, but it would be nice to at least understand what they are talking about!
Max N
Old Hand
Posts: 1453
Joined: Thu Aug 16, 2007 6:10 pm

#7 Re: Linux on old iMac

Post by Max N »

I meant to add, another motivation is astrophotography. Astro pixel processor runs on Linux, and there is a good eco system for automating a home observatory….
Max N
Old Hand
Posts: 1453
Joined: Thu Aug 16, 2007 6:10 pm

#8 Re: Linux on old iMac

Post by Max N »

Hmm, having done a bit of ‘research’, and following Ed’s posts, I suspect there is no easy answer to this, but I’ll ask anyway…..
Any particular flavour / distro people would recommend?
I just want something stable and that will be supported for a good few years.

Edit, scratch that, Ed already suggested Arch so I’ll try that
User avatar
Thermionic Idler
Old Hand
Posts: 1018
Joined: Sun Apr 22, 2012 8:22 pm
Location: Southsea

#9 Re: Linux on old iMac

Post by Thermionic Idler »

https://www.theregister.com/2022/05/31/ ... _to_linux/

My pick - Debian, because it's the polar opposite of the 'move fast and break things' model. I run my Roon Core music server on standard Debian (no GUI), for a Linux desktop I'd pick the Cinnamon GUI because I don't like Gnome.
Deck: Garrard 301 - Audio Origami PU7 - NW Analogue DH3S
Phono: Pete Millett LR, Lundahl SUT, AMB σ22 PSU
Linestage: Bruno Putzeys Balanced Pre + Hans Polak relay mod, LCDuino control
Power amps: 300B PP 'Symmetric Reichert'
Speakers: FF225WK Big Mets
Post Reply