What Linux distribution is easiest for an old Apple laptop and retro emulation?

Kubuntu is another approachable option. It uses the KDE Plasma desktop, which is polished and customizable, and it has good support for common desktop software and controllers.

Linux Mint with the XFCE desktop is probably the easiest choice for older Apple hardware. It’s lightweight, familiar, and beginner-friendly. The main caveat is that Wi-Fi, trackpad, and other hardware support can vary by Mac model, so it’s worth testing from a live USB before installing. RetroArch or separate emulator programs should work well once the system is set up.

Most mainstream distributions can run emulators, so the desktop environment and hardware support matter more than the distribution itself. Fedora with KDE is a solid starting point if you like a Windows-style layout, while the standard desktop is closer to a macOS-style workflow. Once you’re comfortable, you can explore more advanced options, but Arch and NixOS have much steeper learning curves and aren’t ideal for a first installation.

If the laptop is going to be used almost exclusively as a retro-gaming machine, Batocera is worth considering. It provides a console-style interface and is designed around emulation. For a normal desktop that also happens to run games, Mint or Fedora with RetroArch is the more versatile option. A PlayStation controller is generally easy to pair through Bluetooth or use over USB on either setup.