I have a 2015 MacBook Pro that Apple barely supports anymore, and I'm tired of waiting on slow updates. After reading about Linux for months, I'm ready to try it as a fresh start and hopefully build practical skills for future IT job applications. I'm older and changing careers, so the idea is a little intimidating—but if I can learn to pull a proper espresso shot, I can probably learn Linux too.
I backed up my files and have a live USB ready. My biggest concern is losing access to Mac-only software, especially the local budgeting and personal-finance spreadsheets I use. I know there are web-based alternatives, but I prefer keeping local copies of my files. I'm currently planning to install Linux Mint because it seems beginner-friendly, though I'm open to other distributions or desktop environments that would run well on older Mac hardware.
For anyone who made a similar switch, what do you wish you had done differently during your first week? Is there anything I should check before wiping the drive, or any reason I should keep a macOS fallback for a while?
4 Answers
Before wiping anything, consider making a complete bootable clone of your current macOS installation on an external drive, not just copying personal files. That gives you a fallback for Mac-only software without needing to partition the internal SSD. You can try Linux normally and still boot macOS externally if something important comes up. After switching, you may find that you rarely use macOS, but keeping it available makes the first few weeks much less stressful.
The operating system is only part of the decision—the applications matter just as much. LibreOffice can open and save common Excel files, but complex workbooks, macros, and advanced formatting may not behave exactly the same. Try opening your most important spreadsheets in LibreOffice before committing, and keep your originals backed up. If your finance workflow depends heavily on Excel-specific features, you may want to retain access to macOS or use a separate Windows or web-based option.
For the first week, don’t try to customize everything or learn every command at once. Install the system, confirm that Wi-Fi, audio, sleep, the webcam, and external displays work, then update it and make a recovery plan. Use the live environment to test the hardware first, and keep your backups disconnected while installing so there’s less chance of selecting the wrong drive. Linux can be a great way to learn IT fundamentals, but giving yourself an easy way back will make the transition more enjoyable.
Since you’re coming from a Mac, you may prefer a distribution with a GNOME-based desktop, such as Ubuntu, because its layout and workflow can feel more familiar than Mint’s default Cinnamon environment. Pop!_OS is another option that works well on older MacBooks. That said, desktop environments are replaceable, so Mint is still a perfectly reasonable beginner choice if you like its simplicity and straightforward tools.
Mint’s default desktop is Cinnamon rather than GNOME, but you can install other desktop environments later if you want to experiment. I’d start with the live USB and test the hardware before deciding.