Mac lookalikes multiply as Linux raids Apple's wardrobe

Many lookalikes of the Mac operating system have emerged as Linux operating systems start to adopt a more polished, Mac-like appearance. This trend has accelerated with the help of large language model (LLM) coding assistants, which require minimal effort to implement, effectively widening the potential user base.

One of the notable projects in this area is Lord OS, an entirely new GUI desktop built on Debian. Cutefish is another revival project, having recently released version 1.0 for both x86-64 and Arm64 architectures. It also aims to support Mac binary compatibility via Reef, a work-in-progress layer.

Desert OS, originating from Ukraine, has reached version 5.5, despite seeming like a relatively recent addition. ClokeOS, on the other hand, utilizes Xfce as its desktop environment but is based on Apple's FOSS XNU kernel. It plans to provide compatibility with various types of binaries, including Linux apps, Mac apps through Darling, and Windows apps via Wine.

The number of projects seeking to emulate Mac's design and the pace of their development is striking. Some offer both x86-64 and Arm64 builds, including Raspberry Pi editions. This surge in popularity is driven by the desire to extend the life of older x86 Macs and the allure of Mac-like aesthetics for existing Linux operating systems. With the imminent end of life for x86 Macs, the interest in FOSS OSes with Mac-like appearances is expected to continue growing in 2025.