Looking to dip my toes into Linux for the first time. I have a 2016 Intel MacBook Pro with pretty solid specs collecting dust right now that I think I’m going to use. Research so far has indicated to

Mint is full easy-mode. Definitely try that for your first. You can even run it off the USB as a live distro and get a feel for it. Go for the Gnome desktop version, it is prettier than XFCE, just a little heavier.
Mess around with that, break it, fix it, have fun.
- @luthis
  @linux
  Thanks!
  
  There is no "gnome" version of linux mint, but they probably meant the "cinnamon" version (which I would also recommend for a newcomer).

Give fedora a try. It has everything you would need from a modern “vanilla” linux distro and no user telemetry tracking.
- Another vote for Fedora. I run it on a 2008 Mac Pro daily just fine. Good luck.
- @neinhorn
  @linux
  No telemetry is definitely a priority. Does Mint track?
  
  To be fair, Fedora has opt-in telemetry. It's 100% anonymized, though, and helps with development. I always say yes when I'm running a beta (like now).
  That having been said, you should always check the privacy policies of any given distro. They tend to all be pretty up front about it (kinda hard to lie about it when anyone can check your source code...).
  AFAIK, though, neither Mint nor Elementary collect telemetry by default, although they might have opt-in like Fedora. Both are based on Ubuntu LTS, but they also both scrape out so much stuff that they're devoid of most of the Canonical junk.
  
  No Linux distro "tracks" like Windows, Android, iOS or macOS do. This is nonsense. Fedora may introduce opt-something telemitry that will just help make the Distro better, and via one single setting you can always enable or disable it.
  I have full data sharing on KDE and also report lots of bugs.
  Pro-tip: set your username as "user" do avoid doxxing yourself uploading debug logs
  
  Mint doesn’t by default, but it is based on Canonical’s Ubuntu which is not the most privacy friendly distro. Depending on how you install your software, some telemetry might go to Canonical.

Honestly, any general purpose distro will do fine. I’d watch a YouTube review of Elementary and Mint and see what you think. I’d also throw in Ubuntu and Fedora, as they run a more modern desktop that might be more interesting to you as a Mac user than Mint, which is Windows-like out of the box.
Keep in mind: choosing a distro is sort of like choosing your first car. It’s fine to have a taste, but don’t let the decision paralyze you, because 90% of learning to drive will be exactly the same regardless of what car you choose. Likewise, 90% of linux will be the same regardless of your distro.
- @Moobythegoldensock
  @linux
  Thank you!

Pick something and use it. Don't listen to any of us (but my suggestion is PopOS)

I've been running Linux on my 2015 MacBook Pro for years, as well as my older Mac Mini which I still use.
I've tried all the distros and my recommendation is this:
If you want your trackpad gestures to work on Linux like on macos, use a modern version of the Gnome desktop.
Don't use Ubuntu or Fedora because they've been giving the community a hard time lately and are becoming too corporate.
Use opensuse, Debian, PopOS or EndeavourOS. They all offer the Gnome desktop which you'll choose when installing.
Gnome also looks the most like macos if you want to retain that familiarity.
If you don't care about gestures or the look of macos I would highly recommend Linux Mint. It's the distro I use because it's very well done, has great features, is easy to use, reliable and fast.
It comes in two versions: Linux Mint which is Ubuntu based and LMDE (Linux Mint Debian Edition) which is Debian based. I use LMDE 6 because I want to move away from Ubuntu, but either is fine. As a new user I'd recommend LM with the Ubuntu base.
Your iSight camera won't work because it needs a proprietary driver which Apple doesn't supply. There is a reverse engineered driver on GitHub over here: https://github.com/patjak/facetimehd/wiki
I've not tried it but apparently it works.
When installing whichever distro you will use, it's important that you are connected to the net via ethernet cable. Because Linux will have to search for the proprietary WiFi drivers and install those either during install or post install. So your WiFi likely won't work post install and you'll have to tell Linux to install the Broadcom drivers.
LM and LMDE (and I think PopOS too) make this easy because they have a driver manager GUI which will identify the driver and let you select it using a radio button. At which point it will install it and you're good to go.
On opensuse, Debian and Endeavour (Arch) you'll probably not have that tool and will have to find the driver in the software repo. You might have to use some commands to look up your WiFi Broadcom hardware and then search the net to find out which driver will work.
It sounds tricky but it's not too bad, there's normally lots of info online. Plus with Linux there are times when you will need to look up stuff, commands etc. It's the Linux way, being a slightly more hands on OS.
Avoid Elementary OS. They are Ubuntu based but trying hard to be like Apple and sadly adopting some of Apple's anti-libre practices like limiting what software you can install and charging money for apps. As well as trying to get Devs to make apps only for Elementary which all use the same design guidelines and therefore can't be used on other Linux distros... It's a disgusting and disgraceful blotch on the FOSS community because GNU/Linux is all about User Freedom and interoperability, whereas Elementary are the opposite and shouldn't exist.
A bit lengthy but I wish I knew this at the beginning. Would have saved me a lot of pain.
- I really struggled between deciding to up- or to downvote. I disagree strongly with most you wrote, but I decided for upvoting, since you put a lot of effort in your reply.
  Don't use Ubuntu or Fedora because they've been giving the community a hard time lately and are becoming too corporate.
  I don't see much difference between Ubuntu, Fedora, OpenSuse and PopOS. They are all "Corporate" (owned or backed by a private company).
  That fact alone doesn't matter much for the end user. What matters is how fair they treat their userbase and how sustainable the company is. Fedora for example is a community project, backed by RedHat. So, the community decides pretty much everything and RH gives us devs and $$$. This symbiotic relationship ensures stability and enough manpower. I'm anti-capitalist myself, but find this concept not bad. Still, you're partially right. They are independent on paper, but in reality dependend on RHs money and devs.
  If one dislikes this, we can always use and support independend distros like Arch or Debian.
  Even Ubuntu isn't as bad as everyone says, even though I wouldn't recommend or use it myself.
  Gnome also looks the most like macos if you want to retain that familiarity.
  No, Gnome looks like Gnome. They do their own thing and don't copy other UIs. I would recommend KDE (maybe with some themes and two bars) instead if you want it to look familiar to MacOS.
  But I would honestly recommend exactly this: Gnome. It works different UI wise, and this unfamiliarity gives the new user the hint "You shouldn't do it like you used to, this is another OS that works different".
  On Mint for example, people often download their apps through the browser, since it looks and often works exactly like Windows.
  Avoid Elementary OS. They are Ubuntu based but trying hard to be like Apple and sadly adopting some of Apple's anti-libre practices like limiting what software you can install and charging money for apps. As well as trying to get Devs to make apps only for Elementary which all use the same design guidelines and therefore can't be used on other Linux distros... It's a disgusting and disgraceful blotch on the FOSS community because GNU/Linux is all about User Freedom and interoperability, whereas Elementary are the opposite and shouldn't exist.
  They don't limit you in any way. You can always install Flatpaks and everything else, they just offer their own repo with curated software, developed by themselves and optimized for their best UX, by default.
  The option to support the devs financially is a revolutionary idea in the Linux world. Flathub also decided to copy that idea.
  And I like the centralized tipping-system. I always wanted to support the devs, but don't have 1000 payment options. I want to appreciate the work they do and don't mind spending a buck or two for their great app I enjoy using.
  The apps are all FOSS. You can rebuild or get them anytime you want.
  
  if I could give you two up votes I would, you summarized all my thoughts better than even I would've

TL;Dr elementary will give you what you want if you like Mac's interface. Depending on the complexity of the thing you're doing you won't need to dip into the terminal too much
Elementary was my favourite out of all of em until I moved to NixOS so I'd recommend that especially coming from Mac
Realistically distro doesn't really matter that much with a few exceptions (arch, NixOS, qubes all do something different) the thing you'll want to pay more attention to is desktop environment
Main 3 imo are GNOME (looks kinda like android, everything is setup sensibly but not much customisation) KDE (looks like windows 10 out of the box and functions in a similar way, very customisable) XFCE (looks kinda like windows XP/7, one of the most lightweight ones)
Elementary uses a modified version of gnome (I believe) called Pantheon
Pop uses their own spin on gnome though they're currently writing their own
Mint uses their own DE called Cinnanon
Ubuntu and fedora I believe both use gnome by default but can also be installed with others

I started on Linux with some old distros that aren't around anymore but went to Ubuntu eventually and then played with different distros after that. There is a lot of opinions on how things should be in the Linux world and that's what makes choice so awesome.
I say start with Ubuntu because there is TONS of documentation and help on forums, users are generally super helpful unlike some other distros and it's a solid STARTING point. Honestly you'll end up distro hoping like we all are guilty of so you won't stay on one for a long time.
Mint is another solid choice as is pop_OS!
Debian is great as a base but I found it lacking in bells and whistles early into my Linux days. Stay away from the Chinese distros, they'll make you sad (not because they're Chinese made but the lack of work being put into them).
Have fun trying every flavor out and enjoy breaking your system from time to time and eventually try Arch or even Gentoo lol
- I think mint and pop are generally the distros people recommend over Ubuntu nowadays
  Documentation for Ubuntu generally works for anything Ubuntu based and they're specifically designed for newbies coming from Windows
  That said they're coming from Mac so elementary might be better
  
  They never said they were coming from Mac. You are correct in regards to Mint and pop_OS! tho, I just think the recommending of other Ubuntu based or even other based distros nowadays is just so "political". Canonical isn't the darling it once was but it's still a good distros to cut teeth on especially because you can easily hope to another spin for a new DE and still be on "Ubuntu".
  One of the things that makes Linux so great is the freedom of choice and the shear amount of options available so we can all use a distro from a person/community/company that shares in our values/ideals that we can then go on to tell everyone that they should be running it lol.
- try Arch or even Gentoo
  Time to go install Gentoo!
  
  Masochist
  
  Hope this can be understood as semi-on-topic harmless fun here:
  Yuki installs Gentoo

Pop!_OS runs great on my intel MBP.

Mint and Pop OS are fantastic. Both have great support out of the box and lots of help out there on the Internet.
If you're trying to game I would flatly say Pop OS. General computing, both are a tie for me. They just work (as far as Linux goes).

Does your Mac have Touch Bar? If so, you should try using t2linux-provided ISOs. Although 2016 MBP isn't T2 equipped Mac, the Touch Bar driver should be compatible AFAIK.
- Cool! That was my concern. A cursory search shown a lot of driver issues for macs, albeit some were rather old.
- This is an actually useful recommendation

As a long time dabbler and recent full on Mint user, I would recommended either Ubuntu or Mint for a first timer for sure. I would say that I enjoy Mint more just because I like the look and feel of the Cinnamon DE more over the Gnome DE or whatever it is that Ubuntu ships default with. Mint is very easy to use, doesn't have lots of major updates all the time so it doesn't break and it's relatively light weight.

As someone who got started with Linux using Mint too years ago I think you got a great selection there and I wouldn'tup listen too much to the comments, big oarts of the Linux crowd on Lemmy came from Lemmy and it's toxic and shitty so they will tell you you are wrong no matter what you do or say and recommend terribble things to newcomers! Just flash Mint Cinnamon or Elementary on a USB stick, boot them up and play around with both before you decide which you want to install. I am a Fedora Gnome user myself and as someone who probably values simplicity (mac user) Gnome could be interesting to check out too but it's very different to anything else out there and you already got two great options to try there! :)
- @Gamey
  @linux
  Thanks! After reading everything I think your comment is tilting me towards mint cinnamon
  
  It's a fantastic distro to get started, I think the main advantage are various GUI tools for more advanced things that other distros usually require the Terminal for which can be a bit scarry at first. Elementary looks a lot more like MacOS and might be a little more familiar at first while Mint has a fairly similar layout to traditional Windows (7/10), keep in mind that nether of them is a copy tho and you will run into differences. I do think that Mint is the best beginner Distro because of those GUI tools but it can't hurt to try both, almost all Linux distros have live boot to play with them from a USB stick first so you won't have to actually install anything to check them out. In case you go for Mint make sure to pay attention to the welcome screen once you installed it, that guides you through a lot of stuff like configuring automatic backups and the driver manager to download potentialky missing drivers!

Use Debian, install with GNOME and enjoy everything working from the start and a very stable system. No further fuzz about other distros required. Common comment "oh but debian doesn't have the latest version of application X" - configure flatpak and you'll be able to the that latest version from the GNOME Software "store". All the stability with the latest stuff. Enjoy.

You will get very different opinions here. Important are what you want to do
are you okay with only Flatpak apps?
do you want a really stable Distro, or more up to date updates? Desktops evolve, but your hardware doesnt need that new kernels etc.
do you need a traditional distro for installing loads of stuff to it, or is an immutable Distro "enough"?
are you willing to reinstall or unbreak a traditional distro?
I would recommend Fedora Kinoite. Install the official image or use the Ublue image. They are recent but checked updates, versioned, resettable, etc. With Fedora and lots of other distros you have automatic backups, if an update may break something.
Its basically the future of Linux, at least for most use cases.
PS: I literally broke evey other Distro, most of the recommended ones here.
- While disagreeing, I still upvoted. I think more people should see this suggestion and add their opinion too.
  I'm a huge fan of SB/ uBlue, but I don't know if I would recommend it to a new user.
  For me personally, it's the best distro ever. It's reliable, modern, AND it doesn't break.
  I'm the most talented person ever to break my stuff. I already managed to do that, even on on SB and fixing the kernel panic (+other breakages), which I would have done by reinstalling, was only one reboot and boom, it worked again. I just want to get my tasks done (gaming, etc.) and knowing I never have to spend a weekend reinstalling is godsend.
  BUT, things just work differently, and sometimes more complicated. You never install something traditionally, only per container (e.g. Distrobox or Flatpak), which is extremely uncommon. And, there are still here and there some limitations. For example, you will never install a VPN client, since they want to interact and change the base system, which they can't
  I would recommend something Debian-based, like Mint. If you don't tinker, they also never break. And most guides are for exactly those distros.
  SB is more for either people you KNOW that they will never explore the system (e.g. my mum) and only use their device like a tablet,
  or who are exactly this advanced in their Linux journey that they begin tinkering without knowing what they're doing, breaking their system and not being able to fix it themselves. Or they begin distrohopping.
  I for example always broke any distro somehow "without doing anything wrong". Reinstalling was always easier than fixing for me.
  And I was a huge distrohopper too, which is fixed by now.
  
  Yes I also broke lots of distros, (Linux Mint, Kubuntu, KDE Neon, Fedora KDE) and switched away from MXLinux (too old) and Manjaro (bad reputation even though great experience)
  You can install packages normally? I think you got something wrong here.
  Just do rpm-ostree install app or rpm-ostree install /path/to/app.rpm for local RPMs. Like normal actually.
  Yes agree and agree, I broke everything else.
  I disagree with Debian. Apt is horrible, updates are bad. Linux Mint is nice, but the Desktop is still X11 which is now basically unmaintained. You will probably get no real support for X11, and I dont know how long it will take the devs to get XFCE / Cinnamon to Wayland.
  I mean I literally had an issue with the otherwise great MXLinux, where my Nextcloud simply didnt work, because the client was a vew versions too old.
  Debian is all about preinstalling stuff, which is pretty annoying, and thus native packages. Debian with auto updates and only Flatpaks maybe, but like it is, no way.

I run Pop!_OS on an Early 2015 MBP 13. It's pretty much flawless. The only thing that doesn't work is the webcam, which is a bonus for my ugly mug.

PopOs and Ubuntu are very user friendly and pretty similar to a Mac out of the box.

The last time I tried installing on a MacBook I had all kinds of problems. Maybe it is better now, but I'd suggest starting with a traditional PC if you're brand new to Linux
- How is UEFI on Macbooks? Its not Microsoft stuff, where Ubuntu and Fedora are having officially signed images.
- I just installed antiX and then MX on a 2008 macbook pro. It didn't want to boot from a USB so I burned a DVD.
- @ZephyrXero
  @linux
  What kind of problems?
  
  Mainly with the bootloader, but also a few device drivers. But this was like 6 years ago and UEFI was still new. So maybe it's better now. Generally the older your hardware the more likely it is to be supported

Chromeos flex?

Perhaps Arch Linux? Maybe a bit too much for a toe dip though, I wouldn't know. You'll likely run into driver issues (wifi, audio and apple specific hardware) and Arch ostensibly has the latest drivers. Will happily be corrected though, I've been languishing on Ubuntu and haven't had to fix anything in years.
- Arch is not a beginner OS.
  OP: give Mint or PoPOS a try or start off directly with Debian stable. As far as driver issues go, make sure to enable the non-free and non-free-firmware for newer Debian versions and you should be okay.
- I don't want to be rude, but recommending Arch to a newbie who wants to dip their toe in is just mean. Why not tell them to set up an OpenBSD desktop while they're at it.
  And the laptop they're using is from 2015. Why would you need the latest drivers for that?
- I am using Linux for 3 years or so now. Even with BTFRS snapshots, no AUR and other things I would not use Arch over Fedora Kinoite. I have no idea how to chroot into anything and suffer from enough daily KDE bugs (bts the KDE components are basically the same version as on Arch).