Is it possible to configure a linux distribution in a way so it becomes as reliable as OS X (Snow Leopard)?

Question

I found a tutorial (which surely is outdated) explaining how to make a Linux distribution look like OS X: http://maketecheasier.com/turn-your-ubuntu-intrepid-into-mac-osx-leopard/2009/01/08
Although I still doubt the OS would "behave" as reliable as the original.

What I am actually interested in: Is it possible to configure (through settings of the OS, certain programs and/or patches) a Linux distribution to be as stable, snappy and consistent (Interface-wise) as OS X Snow Leopard is? Which type of hardware would be necessary when talking about laptops and/or tablets?

I would be happy to receive an answer from a Linux expert, who can tell me if it's possible to reach at least 90% of the original's overall quality.

I am aware a huge amount of effort has gone into the software and the design of the user experience of OS X and that what I am looking for won't be accomplished through some cosmetic changes. But maybe something like this already exists somewhere?

Why do I ask?
Through the recent years I became a heavy user of OS X (walking away from Windows 2K and Windows XP) and the reliable combination of hardware and software. The last few months reminded me of the negative aspects of the company's way. I became curious if it was possible to switch to a different platform while keeping most of the important (high graphic performance, intelligent UI, security, terminal for quicker access of certain features) aspects of the original OS.

Appropriate software for such a newly configured Linux seems to be available as far as I know.
Which should make it possible to go on fulfilling the writing (Neo Office), graphic design (inkscape) and webdesign (NVU) tasks I need to accomplish with my machine.

Thanks for your input.

Answer 1

I will say yes, speaking from an artist's and Linux User's perspective, however I should warn you that I am appreciative of Apple's optimization for presentation graphics and most Linux users are not. In terms of security -- that is child's play. Download clamav from your distro. Also rkhunter. Inkscape being Open Source, it is of course available for Linux.



Anyhow, the real point is the more responsibility you take for configuring your the machine, the more optimally it should run for you. As an artist I am going to suggest you download burn and look at a live cd -- but don't use it regularly -- which IS a big security hole but which is also one of the most beautiful Linux distros out there.



http://www.dynebolic.org



is created by an Italian Rastafarian who lives in Amsterdam (think certain fumes. Or if you don't think certain fumes when you download this you have led a very sheltered life). It is based on Slackware, the distro I am typing this on, and is actually one of the best uses of GNUStep technology (derived from NeXTStep -- OS X's predecessor) I have seen.



For Neo Office try Open Office:



http://www.openoffice.org



For inkscape, of course inkscape:



http://www.inkscape.org



(I notice people who prefer it are either engineers or people who learned on Aldus Freehand. I'm both.)



NVU does have a problem with Recent versions of gtk2:



http://kompozer.net/download.php



Still, if you want a version of Linux that is as good as Mac OS X start with any distro, including Ubuntu, look up the Linux User Groups in your area, and go. In other words take responsibility for LEARNING about it.

Answer 2

Ubuntu's benefactor, Mark Shuttleworth, boasted Ubuntu has outperformed Windows and now the OS to beat was Mac. I'm more than satisfied with last year's release of Ubuntu. Never a crash, ever. Of course I have a decent, and modern 64-bit machine, middle-of-the-road Graphics card, adequate power supply, and SATA cable hard drives. My machine has re-booted on its own while surfing the internet -- which means malware was trying to write to my log-on.



Compare that to the 20-30 minute start-up of my Win box because I MUST keep a virus-scanner on anything Microsoft. Sadly, I have to keep a Win box around to test my work before distributing to out the the folks in the wilds. Virus and Microsoft should be one word for many reasons.



So, you can add any kind of graphics to Ubuntu and make it look like Windows. Some people sell such crap on eBay and its perfectly legal. I suppose you could make it look like Steve Jobs' last psychedelic wet dream also, but in the final analysis you have Linux with a desktop.



Speaking as a former Mac Evangelist and speaking as someone involved in the graphics industry for a very long time, I can tell you a Mac is overrated. You never want to work at any business with a half-wit Mac enthusiast playing tech expert. Macs are RAM-based. Apple tries to visualize every possible combination of Mac softwares using Cray supercomputers, but that is silly. Macs do lock up and because they aren't disk based, you lose work.

Answer 3

very own selection in maximum circumstances, I somewhat have study an outstanding form of professional Linux, situation is which Linux? Mac? a minimum of with abode windows and Linux you may chop and alter, they the two help a similar atmosphere. in case you have abode windows put in you may eliminate it and run Linux in case you opt for and Viceversa, or twin boot. the thought Linux is maintain and mal-ware unfastened (virus, undercover agent ware) is real to a definite quantity, regrettably the extra people who have it is going to hold approximately extra human beings working as root and any malicious code they run has that privilege. it somewhat is abode windows situation, new consumers are directors via default, something they do has administrative privileges and an infection is all too effortless. That being pronounced, abode windows is comparatively effortless, it somewhat is probable the laptop you employ at artwork and there is as a result no researching curve, help on line is likewise effortless back via, with considered one of those good form of consumers that is not likely you are the 1st to adventure a definite situation. There are emulators for abode windows so which you will run Mac OS, setting up the digital computer and setting up Linux, do a seek on emulators and there are lots of. i like abode windows and Linux, on the 2nd laptop share is gained via Microsoft, and Servers are Linux. as long as you replace secure practices application (Linux and Mac besides - you're able to be able to desire to maintain patching the kernel as they alter into accessible for Linux) and make sound judgements approximately what you do on line then your adventure would be enormously much equivalent in spite of device you employ. touching directly to application concepts, each has extremely some comparable options and that i could discover it superb that conventional application does not be accessible for abode windows - purely for Linux. Linux and Mac consumers are very vocal approximately 'abode windows bashing', abode windows is a enormous objective - yet i like it. Linux runs on enormously much not something, yet some variations could be source hungry as quickly as you load Gui's and extra centers. Vista is a hungry just to load, yet with adequate components (maximum new computers are truthfully geared up) runs nicely. Mac? No thought - never used it.