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When it comes to finding the perfect Linux distro, there are hundreds available that can meet virtually any need. Sometimes it is fun to try different flavors by running them in a VM or in a live environment for testing before applying them to your production box. One that mimics the look and feel of a Mac is Elementary OS.
It gives Windows and Linux users the familiarity of running a Linux distro on their PC while providing the look and feel of macOS without requiring expensive hardware. However, the Pantheon-powered desktop environment intentionally removes some features. That means fewer menus, tweaks, and other distractions. Still, it's all Linux, and a lot can be accessed via CLI commands.
Giving Elementary OS a shot
For a macOS look and feel
I was doing a gig as a reporter at a newspaper last year and was quickly forced to use macOS for my daily workflow. I'm mainly a Windows user at home, and using a Mac was a bit of a shock to my system. However, I picked it up quickly, and being a geek, I thought there had to be a Linux distribution that at least mimics the Mac experience. I wanted something similar, but geeky to use at home without spending a bunch of money on a Mac. So, I landed on Elementary OS and installed it in a VM to give it a go.
The Pantheon Desktop experience (built on top of the GNOME ecosystem) certainly looks Mac-like with the Dock for apps and files at the bottom of the screen. The Pantheon desktop experience was created specifically for Elementary OS. It's important to note that it removes many settings and options, which may sound strange, but in my experience, macOS works similarly by removing distractions and "helps save users from themselves."
The experience is definitely not an exact replica of macOS and is rather "blocky" compared to macOS's rounded corners. The dock bounces app and file icons when you click them. Also, I was annoyed that the minimize button in the top left corner is not enabled by default. Although I ran into some situations where certain customizations have been deliberately left out, and a handful of features are genuinely not supported. Still, after using Zorin OS — great for Windows users — it was time for me to tackle a Mac-like distro.
Switching from Zorin to Elementary OS
It took a minute to get acclimated
As a Windows-first geek, I have had Zorin OS installed on my Linux machine for years. I have tried many other distros throughout the years, like Mint and Ubuntu, but Zorin made it a cinch to move between OSes. I still think Zorin OS is best for Windows-to-Linux converts. It gives Windows users a familiar environment to use Linux with muscle memory. It also allows for installing Windows apps.
However, I wanted a Mac-like environment since my "retrained" brain was all macOS at the time. In fact, I would sit at my Windows computer after using macOS all day and forget how to do tasks on my Windows machines. Elementary OS offers a bit of the Mac experience as well as the "hidden" system controls that macOS is guilty of.
It was kind of strange, so I decided to try Elementary OS. It's not a perfect macOS clone by any means, but it does offer a different way to experience Linux. It has a clean UI and feels less cluttered compared to other distros. There are times when I miss the flexibility and familiar Windows-like experience Zorin OS offers. The learning curve was moderate, but I could set it up and get things done. Even if you've never used macOS, Elementary is worth an experiment for Windows users.
The change from Zorin to Elementary OS
Elementary is basic, which is good
While doing what you would like to do in other Linux distributions seems elusive at first, once I got acclimated to the experience, I decided to make the change. The Pantheon-powered desktop is intentionally locked down, but that's a good thing as a writer. I find that not having a bunch of settings, UI controls, and other configurations to tweak lets me focus on writing without distractions. If I really need to do something, I can use the CLI to manage packages.
There is a lot more I can do in Zorin OS, but the minimalist system of Elementary OS lets me just get work done. It isn't meant for me to spend hours tweaking things. I can just fire it up and start working. For instance, I found the Simplexity app from the app store to be perfect for basic research and calculations with Perplexity Computer. Then I can write in a simplistic word processing app. I don't have to tinker with settings and themes as I did in Zorin OS.
Make the switch from Zorin to Elementary OS for users with macOS experience
If you are looking to switch from Windows to Linux, in my opinion, Zorin OS is still the winner, hands down. However, if you work in a mixed Windows and macOS environment and want to make the jump, Elementary OS is definitely worth considering. It will make you pause before making any major changes to the system or finding the best way to approach your workflow. It is a basic system that lets you complete your tasks without the hassle of controls and panels.
