Transform Your Old Laptop Into a Mac-like Experience with This Free Linux Distro

Background Story

Pear OS has seen several transformations over time. Initially launched as a Debian-based Linux distribution, it was rebranded to Comice OS, only to later return to its original name, Pear OS.

The journey took a turn when Pear OS was sold with the hopes of sustaining the project. However, it returned yet again under the guidance of Alexandru Bălan, who transitioned it from a Debian to an Arch-based system.

Modern Adaptations

With fresh enhancements including a new installer, the 6.17 kernel, and KDE Plasma 6.5.3, Bălan has refined the desktop theme to closely mimic MacOS’s aesthetics as much as a Linux environment allows.

This time around, Pear OS adopts a rolling release model, which effectively eliminates the need for frequent operating system installations, save regular updates.

User Interface and Design

Upon installation and login, users find themselves greeted by a desktop strikingly similar to classic MacOS versions. Exciting future plans from the developer include a new design language named "Liquid Gel Design", promising an interface with seamless animations and advanced effects.

Moreover, there are aspirations to introduce a novel desktop environment, Soda DE, aimed at enhancing user experience through innovative and intuitive interaction designs.

Look and Feel

Bălan has done well to create a MacOS-inspired desktop. Similar in some ways to the Deepin Desktop, it carries the reliable stability inherent to KDE Plasma. Features like PearFinder and a Launchpad-like panel extension are simple nods to the MacOS user interface.

The top bar includes a search tool reminiscent of Mac's Spotlight, enabling file and app searches.

Operational Experience

Currently utilizing KDE Plasma ensures a steady desktop experience. Upon engaging the Launchpad replica, the slim selection of preinstalled applications becomes apparent, yet KDE Discover makes it easy to fetch additional software as needed.

Under the Hood Performance

In a performance test, even with limited resources like 5GB RAM and two CPU cores, Pear OS manages to perform fairly smoothly. Although not as fast as lightweight Linux distributions, its performance is comparable with seasoned Arch systems.

Potential Improvements

One minor challenge encountered was with the Dock's Downloads Stack, which refused to reflect the saved files, suggesting a minor bug.

This is a small inconvenience and can likely be addressed in upcoming updates, notably once the Soda DE is complete.

Conclusion

Overall, Pear OS is a pleasure to work with, offering an appealing appearance and robust performance. It's a great addition for users seeking a Linux system designed with visual preference for MacOS. Kudos to Alexandru Bălan for rejuvenating this project.