[RndTbl] Intel Mac linux recommendations?

Fri May 24 15:56:03 CDT 2024

There are multiple reports online of people successfully installing Ubuntu on that vintage of Mac Mini (late 2012, not necessarily exactly the same model#, but plenty close enough).
Since Ubuntu 24.04 LTS has now been released, I would start with that.  I don't like the UI, personally, but Ubuntu has good hardware support and is very popular, so easy to find support on.  Ubuntu 22.04 LTS will get security updates for 5yrs; do not update to 22.10 or any other non-LTS version unless you're sure you know what you're doing...
The one catch is that the install and initial configuration must be done with an ethernet cable connected, as WiFi will NOT work until Ubuntu has downloaded the drivers for it from the internet (this should happen automatically during installation).
-Adam

________________________________
From: Roundtable <roundtable-bounces at muug.ca> on behalf of Trevor Cordes <trevor at tecnopolis.ca>
Sent: May 24, 2024 14:31
To: MUUG RndTbl <roundtable at muug.ca>
Subject: [RndTbl] Intel Mac linux recommendations?

Can someone help out here with this Linux distro on Mac question?
Please cc: almastrauss at outlook.com on any replies, thanks!

Begin forwarded message:

Date: Thu, 23 May 2024 10:00:18 -0500
From: Alex <almastrauss at outlook.com>

Dear Sirs:

I would like to migrate from macOS to Linux, and would very much
appreciate it if you could please recommend me the most stable, fast,
secure, and user-friendly Linux distribution to install on my Mac mini
2012 (https://support.apple.com/en-us/111926) computer based system
comprising of:

· 2.3GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 CPU

· 16GB (two 8GB) of 1600MHz DDR3 memory

· 2TB SSD

· Logitech Bluetooth Easy-Switch Keyboard K811
(https://support.logi.com/hc/en-ca/articles/360023464673-Logitech-Bluetooth-Easy-Switch-Keyboard-K811-Technical-Specifications)

· Logitech T651
(https://support.logi.com/hc/en-ca/articles/360023466673-Logitech-Rechargeable-Trackpad-T651-Technical-Specifications)Rechargeable
Trackpad
(https://support.logi.com/hc/en-ca/articles/360023466673-Logitech-Rechargeable-Trackpad-T651-Technical-Specifications)

· HP ZR30w monitor
(https://www.hp.com/canada/products/landing/monitors/files/ZR30w-data-sheet-June-2010.pdf)

I am thinking along the lines of Ubuntu or Linux Mint (various desktop
environments!), but it is extremely hard to understand which one is the
most suitable for me… Or, perhaps, I am barking at the wrong tree?

Please help a newbie!

_____________

Respectfully,

Alex