Achieving a Mac-like Desktop Experience on Linux Mint: A Comprehensive Guide for Windows Converts #

As many transitioning users discover, moving from Windows to Linux can be a liberating experience. However, the initial culture shock, particularly regarding the user interface (UI), can be a significant hurdle. At revWhiteShadow, we understand this transition. As revWhiteShadow, this blog is about my personal journey as kts, providing practical solutions for users seeking to emulate a macOS environment on their Linux systems, specifically Linux Mint, without resorting to a full distro hop or sacrificing the customization options that Linux offers. The aim is to bridge the gap between the familiarity of Windows and the power of Linux, providing a seamless and efficient workflow. This article will guide you through replicating the macOS experience, focusing on aesthetic enhancements and functional improvements.

Leveraging Plank for a macOS-Inspired Dock #

One of the most recognizable features of macOS is its dock, providing quick access to frequently used applications. On Linux, Plank is an excellent alternative that offers similar functionality and customization options.

Installing and Configuring Plank #

Plank is readily available in the Linux Mint repositories. To install it, open a terminal and execute the following command:

sudo apt install plank

Once installed, you can launch Plank from your application menu. To configure it, right-click on the Plank icon and select “Preferences.” The preferences window allows you to customize the dock’s appearance, behavior, and icon placement.

Customizing Plank’s Appearance #

The appearance tab in Plank’s preferences is where you can truly tailor it to mimic the macOS dock. Key settings to adjust include:

• Theme: Plank supports various themes. Explore available themes online or create your own to perfectly match your aesthetic preferences. Look for themes specifically designed to replicate the macOS dock.
• Icon Size: Adjust the icon size to match the macOS dock’s proportions. A size between 48 and 64 pixels usually provides a good balance.
• Zoom: Enable the zoom effect to enlarge icons on hover, replicating the dynamic behavior of the macOS dock. Fine-tune the zoom factor for the desired level of magnification.
• Alignment: Position the dock at the bottom of the screen and center it horizontally to match the macOS dock’s default placement.

Adding and Removing Applications from Plank #

Adding applications to Plank is simple. Just launch the application and right-click on its icon in the dock. Select “Keep in Dock” to permanently add it. To remove an application, right-click on its icon and select “Unpin from Dock.”

Advanced Plank Customization #

For more advanced customization, you can modify Plank’s configuration file. This allows you to fine-tune various aspects of its behavior and appearance, such as:

• Icon Reflection: Enable icon reflection for a more visually appealing effect.
• Dock Background: Customize the dock’s background with a transparent or blurred effect.
• Launcher Items: Modify the launcher items to include custom scripts or commands.

The configuration file is located at ~/.config/plank/dock1/settings. Use a text editor to modify the file, making sure to save the changes after editing.

Emulating macOS Aesthetics with Themes and Icons #

Beyond the dock, the overall look and feel of the desktop plays a crucial role in replicating the macOS experience. Linux Mint offers a variety of themes and icon packs that can transform your desktop into a macOS-inspired environment.

Installing macOS-Inspired Themes #

Numerous themes are designed to mimic the macOS appearance. Popular options include:

• macOS Mojave: A widely used theme that faithfully replicates the look and feel of macOS Mojave.
• macOS Big Sur GTK Theme: A modern theme inspired by macOS Big Sur, featuring a clean and minimalist design.
• WhiteSur GTK Theme: A popular theme with a modern look.

To install a theme, download the theme files and extract them to the ~/.themes directory in your home folder. If the directory doesn’t exist, create it.

Applying the Theme #

Once the theme is installed, open the “Appearance” settings in Linux Mint’s system settings. Select the newly installed theme from the list to apply it to your desktop.

Installing macOS-Inspired Icon Packs #

An icon pack is essential for completing the macOS transformation. Popular options include:

• macOS Mojave CT Icons: An icon pack designed to complement the macOS Mojave theme.
• Big Sur Icon Theme: Icons for the Big Sur theme.
• WhiteSur Icon Theme: Icons for the Whitesur theme.

Install icon packs by extracting the files to the ~/.icons directory in your home folder. If the directory doesn’t exist, create it.

Applying the Icon Pack #

In the “Appearance” settings, select the newly installed icon pack to apply it to your desktop.

Customizing Window Buttons #

macOS features a distinctive window button layout with close, minimize, and maximize buttons on the left side of the window. You can replicate this in Linux Mint by using the dconf-editor.

1. Install dconf-editor:

   sudo apt install dconf-editor
   

2. Open dconf-editor and navigate to org > cinnamon > desktop > wm > preferences.

3. Modify the button-layout key. The default value is usually close,minimize,maximize:. To move the buttons to the left, change the value to :close,minimize,maximize.

Utilizing Application Launchers and Desktop Organization #

macOS offers features like Spotlight search and Mission Control for efficient application launching and desktop organization. Linux Mint provides alternative tools that offer similar functionality.

Albert: A Powerful Application Launcher #

Albert is a versatile application launcher that allows you to quickly launch applications, search files, and perform various other tasks using a simple keyboard shortcut.

Installing Albert #

Albert is available in the Linux Mint repositories. Install it using the following command:

sudo apt install albert

Configuring Albert #

After installing Albert, launch it from the application menu. You can configure its behavior and appearance in the settings window. Assign a keyboard shortcut to launch Albert (e.g., Ctrl+Space) for quick access.

Using Workspaces for Virtual Desktops #

macOS’s Mission Control allows you to manage multiple virtual desktops. Linux Mint provides similar functionality through workspaces.

Configuring Workspaces #

You can configure the number of workspaces in the “Workspaces” settings in Linux Mint’s system settings. Assign keyboard shortcuts to switch between workspaces for efficient navigation.

Organizing Applications Across Workspaces #

Assign applications to specific workspaces to keep your desktop organized. Right-click on an application’s title bar and select “Move to Another Workspace” to move it to a different workspace.

Customizing the Calendar and Date Format for Enhanced Productivity #

The article mentions using a specific date format (%w, %x, %X) for journaling purposes. Linux Mint allows you to customize the date and time format displayed in the system tray.

Accessing Date and Time Settings #

Right-click on the date and time in the system tray and select “Adjust Date & Time.”

Customizing the Format #

In the “Clock” settings, you can customize the date and time format. Use the following format string to match the desired output:

%w, %x, %X

• %w: Represents the day of the week as a number (0-6, Sunday is 0).
• %x: Represents the date in the locale’s preferred format.
• %X: Represents the time in the locale’s preferred format.

This format provides a numerical representation of the day of the week, which can be useful for journaling systems.

Addressing Concerns About Corporate Mitigation and Resource Usage #

The original post mentions concerns about “corporate mitigation” in Apple products and the desire to avoid distro hopping due to limited time and resources. Using Linux Mint with a macOS-inspired UI offers a compelling solution that addresses these concerns.

Avoiding Corporate Mitigation #

Linux Mint is an open-source operating system, free from the restrictions and control imposed by proprietary operating systems. You have complete control over your system and data.

Resource Efficiency #

Linux Mint is known for its resource efficiency, making it suitable for older hardware. You can achieve a macOS-like experience without sacrificing performance. By using a lightweight desktop environment like XFCE, you can further optimize resource usage.

Conclusion: A Customizable and Efficient macOS Alternative #

By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can transform your Linux Mint desktop into a functional and aesthetically pleasing macOS alternative. Plank, themes, icon packs, and application launchers provide the building blocks for a customized environment that suits your needs. This approach allows you to enjoy the benefits of Linux without sacrificing the familiarity of the macOS user interface. Moreover, the flexibility of Linux allows for extreme customization, especially in date formats, and this can serve as the basis for a very productive environment.