Most OS X like consumer linux distro?

[slackerinabox]

I'm a mostly OSX user but have replaced my daily driver laptop with a windows 8 laptop... I really don't like the os and have been fighting with it more than I should, so think I'll install linux this weekend.

Any suggestions for something that feels a bit OS x like?

 

[lxskllr]

I'd try a few and see if one suits you. Trying to imitate another product will most likely lead to disappointment. Once you get below the surface, the details that matter will be different and frustrating.

Here's a few you can try. I don't use Apple to compare, but these should be friendly for someone new. Try them in a live session, and see if you take to one.

Ubuntu
ElementaryOS
Mint Cinnamon edition
Ubuntu Gnome shell remix(you can use Gnome shell in regular Ubuntu also)
Xubuntu

 

[slackerinabox]

I'd try a few and see if one suits you. Trying to imitate another product will most likely lead to disappointment. Once you get below the surface, the details that matter will be different and frustrating.

Here's a few you can try. I don't use Apple to compare, but these should be friendly for someone new. Try them in a live session, and see if you take to one.

Ubuntu
ElementaryOS
Mint Cinnamon edition
Ubuntu Gnome shell remix(you can use Gnome shell in regular Ubuntu also)
Xubuntu

You're right, I don't like clones myself - I guess I just mean a multitasking friendly, metro free UI that's breezy (compared to dark, which is how I remember ubuntu from years ago) and efficient - the less clicks to get apps started the better. Touch support wouldn't hurt but isn't pivotal. I'll also add that, while I'm not against popping up a shell and typing in commands I'm far less of a tech for the sake of tech enthusiast these days - I'd love something that just works with minimal fidgeting.

Will check out what you suggested for sure. Thanks!

 

[lxskllr]

I think you'd like Ubuntu's Unity interface. It's a very elegant desktop. It doesn't suit the way I work, but I find it very attractive.

 

[glugglug]

I think you'd like Ubuntu's Unity interface. It's a very elegant desktop. It doesn't suit the way I work, but I find it very attractive.

/em taps sarcasm meter "Is this thing on?"

Maybe you mean how the default bar of a few huge quick launch icons bears some resemblance to the OS X dock?

I found Unity to be worse than Windows 8 without a Start Menu replacement utility. The first thing I did when we upgraded from Lucid to Precise at work, with Unity being the default UI in precise was to install xfce4 (look for xubuntu-desktop package to install).

 

[lxskllr]

/em taps sarcasm meter "Is this thing on?"

Maybe you mean how the default bar of a few huge quick launch icons bears some resemblance to the OS X dock?

I found Unity to be worse than Windows 8 without a Start Menu replacement utility. The first thing I did when we upgraded from Lucid to Precise at work, with Unity being the default UI in precise was to install xfce4 (look for xubuntu-desktop package to install).

Like I said, I can't use it, but I like the way it it looks. I think it's one of the nicest looking default setups. He may or may not like using it. Some people like it, but there's only one way to work with it, so you're screwed if you don't like their workflow. Gnome shell's the same way. I use Xfce myself.

 

[TeknoBug]

I'm a long time vanilla Debian user (since 1998), wbar + XFCE4.