How can I run Linux programs on Intel Mac OSX?

Question

Level 1

10 points

How can I run Linux programs on Intel Mac OSX?

Hi,

Is there a way to run linux programs such as games and a SPICE simulation program for linux on an Intel-based Mac (Macbook Pro) under OSX without recompiling them. Until now it was not possible due to difference between PPC and x86 architectures. But is it possible now? If yes then how?

Thanks,

Smit

Macbook Pro, Mac OS X (10.4.8)

Posted on Oct 18, 2006 8:45 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Kappy

Level 10

362,007 points

Oct 18, 2006 9:03 PM in response to bsmit007

Yes. It's always been possible to run Linux on Macs as long as you use a version that is compatible with the Mac hardware. Most Linux applications run on compatible versions of Linux. You can start at www.linux.org.

You can run several different versions of *nixes on Intel Macs using the Parallels Desktop for Mac virtual machine software (www.parallels.com) as well as all extant versions of Windows and a few other operating systems.

You can directly install any compatible version of Linux directly on a separate partition and set up a dual-boot system.

Then, of course, you can look for compatible versions of software that run directly on OS X or through the X11 windowing system. OS X is essentially a version of Unix. There is an OS X version of SPICE.

Reply