Linux distro for a Mac Mini?

[VinylxScratches]

I want to dive into Linux a lot more. I have a 1.83 GHz Core 2 Duo Mac Mini with 4 GB of ram.

I am looking for a distro that will work best. So far I have come to conclusion that CentOS will work with little effort. I think Ubuntu will too, but I don't want to use that.

I want to only boot one OS just to be clear... Don't want to dual boot Leopard and a *nix.

 

[slugg]

Why don't you want to use Ubuntu? It has the best support for end-users in a desktop environment. If you ever have a problem with it, your chances of finding a solution is way higher than with any other distro since it's so popular. Chances are, someone else has already had your problem and has found a solution to it.

 

[mmntech]

I've used a few distros and I've found most are pretty much six and one half a dozen of each other. The real question is whether you prefer the Gnome or KDE desktop environment. Ubuntu or it's KDE derivative Kubuntu is definitely the best one ones to start with. Check out distrowatch.com for different ones.

 

[magnux]

If you want to "dive into Linux a lot more", then forego a window manager, install Debian, and learn console. Ubuntu is just pretty-Debian. You can always add (apt-get install) a window manager later if you desire.

 

[sjwaste]

Well, I worked on a development project, where our development machine was a mac mini running CentOS 5, so I know that works.

 

[dighn]

Originally posted by: magnux
If you want to "dive into Linux a lot more", then forego a window manager, install Debian, and learn console. Ubuntu is just pretty-Debian. You can always add (apt-get install) a window manager later if you desire.

You can learn the console from a GUI. It reduces the learning curve. For example what if you wanted to look up something? With a console a newbie would be clueless. With a desktop environment you could at least load up firefox and google.

 

[Ka0t1x]

Also with a Mac Mini and 4Gb of ram.. running Fusion would be another option, it can easily handle an Ubuntu install.

I learned linux through virtual machines as opposed to having a full machine.. and you can still limit yourself to command line only, simply enable SSHD and terminal in.

 

[magnux]

Originally posted by: dighn

Originally posted by: magnux
If you want to "dive into Linux a lot more", then forego a window manager, install Debian, and learn console. Ubuntu is just pretty-Debian. You can always add (apt-get install) a window manager later if you desire.

You can learn the console from a GUI. It reduces the learning curve. For example what if you wanted to look up something? With a console a newbie would be clueless. With a desktop environment you could at least load up firefox and google.

Of course, but the GUI reduces the dependency on console and allows you to slide on poor console knowledge.

I've always been of firm belief that if you want Linux and X11, you need to learn how to install (or even compile; hello Slackware!) X11 via console first. It will make you a more versatile Linux user overall, and what's the point of installing KDE or Gnome and never using console -- why not just stick with OS X or even Windows at that point? *shrug*

To each their own..