How to run GNU/Linux on a Mac

[hangemhigh]

Hi all, this is my first post, hopefully this is in the right place!

I am attempting to learn assembly through a book called Programming From the Ground Up.

In the book everything is ran on GNU/Linux. My issue is that I am using a brand new Macbook Pro (Sierra OS) and I'm unsure of the best way or how to go about running GNU/Linux on here so I can work along the chapter exercises.

If anyone has any suggestions, it would be much appreciated.

Thank you!

 

[Damon B.]

Probably the simplest way would be to install VirtualBox. VirtualBox provides software to host a virtual machine (aka the guest OS) that you can then run a full Linux system inside. This is completely separate from your Mac system (other than the space the files take up on the 'host' system, and CPU/RAM used while this virtual machine is turned on).

Once you have VirtualBox installed, download an ISO image of a flavor of GNU/Linux like Ubuntu and follow the instructions to install the software from the ISO file inside a Virtual Machine. (Google for 'install ubuntu on virtualbox mac')

Hopefully, this is enough to get you started! Good luck.

 

[hangemhigh]

Thanks Damon!

I will look into that option - I also read that dual booting with a flash drive could be an option. Finally, do you have any opinion or experience on VirtualBox vs. Parallels?

 

[Damon B.]

Well, VirtualBox is free, so it has that going for it... I haven't used Parallels personally.

 

[hangemhigh]

Yup I am installing Ubuntu on VirtualBox as we speak - thanks