34 Hacks To Make Your Linux Box Mimic A Mac

Disclosure: Your support helps keep the site running! We earn a referral fee for some of the services we recommend on this page. Learn more

Whether you love Apple’s design and functionality, or just want to play around with your computer, it can be both fun and helpful to emulate a Mac while running Linux. Here, you’ll find tutorials, hacks, tools, and more that can help you copycat Mac.

  1. Mac-On-Linux: Using Mac-On-Linux, you can run Mac operating systems of PowerPC Linux computers.
  2. Mac OSX-like Linux: Read this thread to find advice for Linux users looking for a Mac experience.
  3. Tomboy: Mac OSX offers stickies, Linux doesn’t. Use Tomboy to get this function back, as well as a few extras.
  4. WPS Office: KOffice is very much comparable to AppleWorks, offering word processing, vector illustration, spreadsheets, and more.
  5. Approcket: To get Mac’s Quicksilver app launcher, try Approcket instead.
  6. How to: Enable Rendezvous on Fedora Linux: You can advertise Linux DNS using Apple’s Rendezvous. Find out how to do it here.
  7. Mac Fonts: Check out this resource to download Mac fonts.
  8. OSX-Tiger Theme: Download this theme that imitates OSX Tiger’s Aqua theme.
  9. GIMP: The Gnu Image Manipulation Program is a lower-powered open source Photoshop clone.
  10. Turn your PC into a Mac: Although aimed at Windows, this tutorial is helpful for Linux as well.
  11. Sharpkeys: If you’re used to reaching for the Apple key to hit control, use Sharpkeys to switch your control and alt keys.
  12. Top Desk: For Expose lovers, check out Top Desk. It offers the same functionality that lets you find windows fast.
  13. AppleLinux: Download AppleLinux, and your login screen will look like Apple’s.
  14. OpenQuicktime: Get this clone of Apple’s QuickTime for better Linux support.
  15. Make Your Linux Desktop Look Like A Mac: Learn how to make Linux look like a Mac using Mac4Lin in this tutorial.
  16. OS X Wallpaper: Download a jpg of Mac OS X wallpaper here.
  17. Mac4Lin: Using Mac4Lin, you can get Mac OS X’s user interface on GNU/Linux and Unix operating systems.
  18. Rainlendar: This desktop calendar can be skinned to look like it’s on a Mac.
  19. OS X Splash Theme: Use this splash theme to emulate the Mac’s boot screen.
  20. How to: Make Your Ubuntu Desktop Look Like a Mac: Use this tutorial to learn how to skin Ubuntu to look like OS X Leopard.
  21. XMMS: This application will play MP3 files similar to MacAmp.
  22. Spotlight Emulator: Get the Mac’s search functionality on Linux using this emulator.
  23. Compiz Fusion: Compiz Fusion can be used to create desktop effects like the Mac’s.
  24. Making GNOME Look Like OS X: Transform the look of your GNOME desktop into Mac’s OS X with this tutorial.
  25. iFox Theme for Firefox: Download this theme, and your Firefox will look like it’s on a Mac.
  26. MacBuntu: Make your system look like OSX with this emulator.
  27. Panther Icons: Download this package, and you’ll get around 1,400 Mac-emulating icons.
  28. Trillian: The Trillian IM program can be skinned to look like iChat.
  29. Linux Desktop Imitating OS X: This tutorial will walk you through desktop effects, docks, booting, and more.
  30. YzShadow: Get a drop shadow under your windows like Mac OS X by using this utility.
  31. PDF Creator: Macs can print to PDF at any time. Use PDF Creator to print anything to PDF just like you would on a printer.
  32. Apple Mail Theme for Thunderbird: Get Thunderbird to look like it’s on a Mac with this theme.
  33. Mac-style Menubar: Check out this resource to find Mac-style menubars for Ubunto, Gentoo, and more.
  34. Turn Your PC into a Mac: Although geared towards Windows users, this guide is full of helpful information for Mac wannabes on Linux.
 

Leave a Reply