In 2016, after being a Mac guy for 23 years, I took the plunge and made a full-time switch to Linux. I did my research, and over and over again encountered the idea that GNOME was good for MacOS refugees like myself. So I gave it a try! But my experience didn't support the meme.…

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A detailed comparison of desktop environments for Mac users switching to Linux. The author argues that KDE Plasma, not GNOME, provides a more Mac-like experience with its dock-style panel, system tray, desktop icons, window management buttons, and extensive customization options. GNOME prioritizes minimal distraction over Mac-style workflows, lacking key features like a persistent dock, global menu, and desktop file management. For users leaving macOS for reasons other than seeking simplicity, Plasma offers familiar UI patterns and functionality while maintaining first-party support for customization.

A Mac-like experience on Linux

If I wanted Linux to look like macOS, I would just use a Mac.

The experience on Mac is bad, the UI is terrible, the UX is terrible, nothing is intuitive, basic things like Alt+Tab don’t work as expected. Also, it is locked, you can not install things like tile managers.

<a href="https://omarchy.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow">https://omarchy.org/</a> is the closest right now created by the Ruby on rails creator to help Mac users transition.

Linux can never provide MacOS experience. They are fundamentally different. Restricting hardware, limiting customizations and software availability, taking away system control and proper documentation and we are just scratching the surface. The best Linux can do is look more like MacOS.