Linux on old iMac

[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?

[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/

[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.

[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.

[pre65]

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.

[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]

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]

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

[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.