Linux and Mac OS X - User Interface? - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Linux and Mac OS X - User Interface?

Linux's biggest handicap seems to be ease-of-use issues. These "ease of use" issues also underlie Unix-based Mac OS X development, but we're counting on Apple to make it Mac-like enough with Aqua so joe-consumer can use it.

In case you haven't heard, a start-up called Eazel is working on creating a consistent/standard GUI for Linux. What makes this interesting and relevant is that a couple of the founders worked on the original Macintosh project (including UI) in the early 80's.


Here are some screenshots from the gui: Eazel Screenshots (new) and iFrance.com screenshots. Of course, "feel" and functionality play a large role in the GUI as well... but we'll have to wait to comment on that. While there are other reasons to like Linux, Apple's work on Mac OS X is going to make it more difficult for Linux to gain mainstream success.

Popular Stories

Apple Event Logo

Apple Unveiled Four New Products Today

Tuesday August 25, 2026 8:39 am PDT by
Apple today unveiled a new Mac mini with M6 and M5 Pro chip options, a new Mac Studio with M5 Max and M5 Ultra chip options, a new version of the Polishing Cloth with a lower price, and updated Magic Keyboards for Macs. To learn more about these products, read our coverage below: Apple Announces New Mac Mini With M6 and M5 Pro Chips and More Apple Unveils New Mac Studio With M5 Max and M5...
apple magic keyboard with glyphs 2026 refresh

Apple Quietly Refreshes Magic Keyboards

Tuesday August 25, 2026 7:22 am PDT by
Apple today quietly introduced updated Magic Keyboard models with revised U.S. English key labeling. On the new keyboards, the tab, caps lock, shift, return, and delete keycaps are labeled with glyphs rather than edge text. On the full-size models with a numeric keypad, the change goes further, with the home, page up, page down, end, clear, and enter keys also swapping their text labels for...
Apple Logo Gradient 16x9 1

Apple Just Made an Extremely Rare Product Announcement

Thursday August 27, 2026 7:58 am PDT by
The new Mac mini and Mac Studio models unveiled by Apple this week are the company's first new Macs announced in August since 2020. It is extremely rare for Apple to announce new products of any kind in August, excluding smaller things like new color options and accessories. As mentioned, Apple's last notable August product announcement was in 2020, when it updated the 27-inch iMac and a...