Thinking about leaving Mac behind? Michael from our Linux team is here to help you make the jump from macOS to Linux on Framework Laptop 13 Pro. The key to a successful switch is remembering that Linux isn't trying to be a clone of macOS, it's its own thing, with its own strengths.
In this video, Michael walks through what feels familiar coming from macOS, what's different, and where Linux pulls ahead for developers, all on our first Ubuntu-certified system, the Framework Laptop 13 Pro.
Want to learn more? Comment below with what topic you'd like to see Michael dive into next.
Get the Framework Laptop 13 Pro → https://frame.work/laptop13pro
Chapters
- 0:00 Intro
- 1:18 Meet the Framework Laptop 13 Pro
- 1:53 Should a developer switch to Linux?
- 2:19 Being fair to macOS
- 3:01 Why the hardware matters (Linux-first design)
- 3:53 Battery life
- 4:38 Which distro should I use?
- 6:13 Which desktop environment?
- 7:51 The Touchpad
- 8:39 Scrolling: Natural vs Traditional
- 9:19 Keyboard shortcuts & remapping your modifier keys
- 14:49 Installing apps: App Centers, Snaps, Flatpaks, AppImages & Homebrew
- 17:36 Firmware updates & LVFS
- 19:08 Apple accessories on Linux
- 19:30 Apple services & iCloud on Linux
- 20:20 Safari Alternatives
- 20:30 Password Management
- 20:51 FaceTime on Linux & alternatives
- 21:12 Storage solutions
- 21:30 AirDrop alternatives (LocalSend)
- 21:56 iMessage alternatives
- 22:46 KDE Connect
- 24:09 The invisible tech: printers, Wi-Fi, displays & docks
- 25:59 Audio & PipeWire
- 27:02 Backup strategies
- 28:06 "Is there a catch?"
- 29:04 Share your thoughts
Tools & software mentioned
- Toshy (Mac-style keyboard remapping): https://toshy.app/
- Flathub: https://flathub.org/
- Bazaar: https://usebazaar.org/
- App Manager: https://github.com/kem-a/AppManager
- GNOME Tweaks: https://github.com/GNOME/gnome-tweaks
- Gear Lever: https://flathub.org/en/apps/it.mijorus.gearlever
- LocalSend: https://localsend.org/
- KDE Connect: https://kdeconnect.kde.org/
- Timeshift: https://github.com/linuxmint/timeshift
- Pika Backup: https://apps.gnome.org/PikaBackup/
- Déjà Dup: https://apps.gnome.org/en/DejaDup/
- DaVinci Resolve: https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/products/davinciresolve
- Bitwig: https://www.bitwig.com/
- Reaper: https://www.reaper.fm/
- Photopea: https://www.photopea.com/
- Vectorpea: https://www.vectorpea.com/
- Krita: https://krita.org/
- Inkscape: https://inkscape.org/
- BlueBubbles: https://bluebubbles.app/