I cannot answer the question about Mac, but Linux often boosts computers. As weaker the hardware as bigger the gain. There are a lot of people that were going to put their hardware on trash, but Linux spend it new lifetime. Trying costs nothing.

If you mean for running Linux - I wouldn't bother. The reverse engineering work people are doing to run Linux on them in fantastic, but it's still a catch up game. Why would you want that? Get a normal laptop like Lenovo Thinkpad if you want to run Linux.

I never understood the appeal of Apple hardware personally.

Last edited by Shmerl on 19 May 2026 at 2:36 am UTC

Getting a new computer doesn't preclude you installing Linux on the old (newly vacant) laptop. I see no better opportunity to install and learn Linux than on such an occasion.

Quoting: GustyGhostGetting a new computer doesn't preclude you installing Linux on the old (newly vacant) laptop. I see no better opportunity to install and learn Linux than on such an occasion.

It does on Mac Hardware. Linux only supports at the most up to M2 processors. Anything above, the support isn't there. M3 is kind of working but the GPU driver isn't there according to a Google search.

Last edited by reaply on 20 May 2026 at 5:16 pm UTC

Quoting: reaply

Quoting: GustyGhostGetting a new computer doesn't preclude you installing Linux on the old (newly vacant) laptop. I see no better opportunity to install and learn Linux than on such an occasion.

It does on Mac Hardware. Linux only supports at the most up to M2 processors. Anything above, the support isn't there. M3 is kind of working but the GPU driver isn't there according to a Google search.

GustyGhost is saying that if RubyRose decides to buy an M-whatever Mac ("a new computer"), that doesn't preclude installing GNU/Linux on the weak laptop with a Celeron processor and running Windows 10 ("the old (newly vacant) laptop").

Quoting: RubyRose136I'm planning to get a Mac computer soon (a Mac Mini specifically), are they stable (in terms of system stability) and good (usable)?

Yes, they are stable.
Yes, they are good and usable.

I used Macs for many years before moving to Linux. The question is what will be the purpose of the Mac?

While there are games compatible with macOS, it's limited. Yes, there are ways to play Windows games on Mac. However, it's not as smooth as it is with Linux.

macOS is also locked down. You basically use the computer the way Apple decides you should use it.

You also didn't specify whether you were going to put Linux on the Mac or keep macOS. Macs are good computers and I personally still use a 2011 iMac (with Fedora installed).

If you're not ready for Linux and want to get far away from Windows, a Mac could serve you well. At the same time, there is nothing preventing you from installing Linux on your old laptop.