Fedora and Ubuntu are quite turnkey ready, for what I recall.
Ask HN: Why is there no Linux distro that “just works” like macOS?
21–30 of 157 posts
Re: Ask HN: Why is there no Linux distro that “just works” like macOS?
#22MacOS doesn't "just work" if you install it on non-Apple hardware. Most of the time it won't even boot.
Nuff said.
Re: Ask HN: Why is there no Linux distro that “just works” like macOS?
#23Wow, lots of disappointing answers.
Easy: Apple hires TEAMS of designers, UX-experts/engineers [...].
The reward incentives in open source environments are not aligned with the required workload. People who seriously compare any modern linux desktop environment to the UX that macOS delivers must be lost in tunnel-vision/confirmation bias, it's not even close.
Also, like some said, as Apple provides their own hardware, they don't have to deliver general solutions.
Re: Ask HN: Why is there no Linux distro that “just works” like macOS?
#24As many are already saying, it pretty much depends on hardware. If you carefully select it, you won't have much issues at all with a distribution like Ubuntu, which actually lists "certified" hardware here:
I recently installed Ubuntu on a certified Dell Precision and was impressed how smooth that went, even with stuff like full disc encryption, secure boot, docking station support, NVidia Optimus, etc. It's not perfect, but neither is Windows. With a bit of fiddling you'll even get features that are unavailable on Windows (like proper S3 sleep instead of "modern standby", which is driving me absolutely bonkers). Even notoriously problematic stuff like fractional scaling on external monitors really worked well. Installing the NVidia drivers instead of Noveau is trivial, even Dell firmware updates for the docking station can be directly installed from the Ubuntu software center.
So while there surely is a lot to criticize about Ubuntu from a poweruser's perspective (like the snap stuff), I must say that I was pleasantly surprised how much better the experience has become over the years.
Re: Ask HN: Why is there no Linux distro that “just works” like macOS?
#25Ubuntu has just worked for me for a long time, though I always have to do some tweaks to get it exactly how I like it (Mac keyboard layout, Quake-style terminal, etc.) I've recently installed Cinnamon (Mint's desktop) on it and I really like it better than any other Linux desktop I've tried so far. The only thing I ever really have issues with is Bluetooth stuff and sometimes sleep/hibernation issues.
I think Neal Stephenson's analogy still mostly holds true: Windows is a suburban minivan, MacOS is a Lambo with the hood welded shut, Linux is a tank that can also fly but the instrument panel is correspondingly tricky.
On the other hand... ChromeOS and Android are, by and large, slightly tweaked Linux, and they "just work" for millions of people, so I guess it comes down to what you're willing to put up with as a trade for simplicity.
Re: Ask HN: Why is there no Linux distro that “just works” like macOS?
#26Ubuntu on Lenovo laptops have been just that many years. I've used 3 different X1 carbon laptops with ubuntu for many years now. Worry free, no tinkering. Just works.
Re: Ask HN: Why is there no Linux distro that “just works” like macOS?
#27macOS only runs on compatible hardware. If you buy compatible Linux hardware then Linux "just works" too. It won't work with just random stuff you found in a basement the same way hackintoshes don't "just work" either. Also, after the trash fire that's M1 Mac external monitor support I'd strongly dispute the "just works" tag for macOS too.
Everything external display I’ve plugged my M1 Mac into has worked well. Monitors of various dimensions and a TV. It’s just-worked for me. What’s the trash for you’re referring to?
Not sure about him, but I notice 2 issues with external monitors:
* Only 2 hardware-rendered displays maximum. I use 3, so the 3rd one has to be software-rendered.
* There's a delay when switching my KVM to the Mac and it emitting a video signal, that's longer than the delay when switching to Linux and activating the same monitors.
Re: Ask HN: Why is there no Linux distro that “just works” like macOS?
#28macOS only runs on compatible hardware. If you buy compatible Linux hardware then Linux "just works" too. It won't work with just random stuff you found in a basement the same way hackintoshes don't "just work" either. Also, after the trash fire that's M1 Mac external monitor support I'd strongly dispute the "just works" tag for macOS too.
Everything external display I’ve plugged my M1 Mac into has worked well. Monitors of various dimensions and a TV. It’s just-worked for me. What’s the trash for you’re referring to?
> Everything external display I’ve plugged my M1 Mac into has worked well.
Ever tried 1440p? It looks like crap. There's a reason BetterDummy is a thing.
Re: Ask HN: Why is there no Linux distro that “just works” like macOS?
#29macOS only runs on compatible hardware. If you buy compatible Linux hardware then Linux "just works" too. It won't work with just random stuff you found in a basement the same way hackintoshes don't "just work" either. Also, after the trash fire that's M1 Mac external monitor support I'd strongly dispute the "just works" tag for macOS too.
> macOS only runs on compatible hardware
You’re not even wrong, but fortunately we don’t have to run on bare metal, although we can do that too. Running modern, up-to-date macOS on bare metal x86 is possible. I know because I’ve done it.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hackintosh
https://khronokernel.github.io/apple/silicon/2021/01/17/QEMU...
Re: Ask HN: Why is there no Linux distro that “just works” like macOS?
#30To people commenting how "well if you install Linux the right way on the right hardware like this here purpose-built laptop, it also 'just works'", what the OP is trying to underline isn't just the technical aspect of the OS booting flawlessly and recognizing its periphery, but also the whole experience that comes after. One special part of this, which is easily overseen, is the fact that Apple has poured hundreds of…
Highjacking your comment to add a functional answer to ops question: because the reward incentives in open source environments are simply not aligned with the required workload. Prove me wrong, go coordinate a deep ux-strategy in git issues, let's see how far you get until you grasp the absurdity of the idea.