Hi Everyone is Anyone Running Linux on a Mac? If so you impressions please

[Bill Campbell]

On Thu, Dec 27, 2012, James McDonald wrote:
>
>   Hello All,
>
>   I got married 6yrs ago... in that time I've discovered that clutter and
>   cables are bad. So I'm thinking of getting a Mac. However I wouldn't
>   really like to experience the Mac without the option of a full Linux
>   experience.
>
>   Any thoughts on what is best "Parrallels" or "VMware fusion".

I've been using Macs as my primary desktop machines for almost a
decade now currently on a mid-2009 15in Macbook Pro running Lion.
This machine has 8GB RAM, which I consider a minimum for serious
VM work.

I get plenty of Linux time maintaining servers so generally use
the Mac with lots of xterms, most email on a Linux server with
mutt in xterms, LibreOffice, Safari, and FireFox.

I have been using VMware Fusion for quite a while, and have
several versions of CentOS, Win XP Pro, and Win 7 Pro which I use
mostly to figure out how to do things in Windows so I can help
clients with their systems.  From what I've seen it's pretty much
an arms race between Parallels and VMware Fusion, with them vying
to better each other in Windows performance.

Linux performance in VMware is OK, although if I start a large
build under Linux, it does slow things down a bit.

I've also installed Yellow Dog Linux on an old PowerPC Mac, and
am thinking about doing this on a couple of old PPC Mac Minis I
have to play with them as utility router boxes.

I really prefer the Mac for desktop stuff because it Just
Works(TM), and I don't have to mess with it to get drivers right,
find compatible hardware, and such.  It's kinda like cars.  While
I raced Formula Cars for 13+ years, had a shop where worked on
everything from race cars, Ferraris, Loti, BMWs, to VW Bugs, I
prefer Subaru Legacy Wagons today because they work.

Bill
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