With the release of Mac OS X Lion, the world of Mac owners have yet another chance to throw their hard-earned cash into the virtual hands of Steve Jobs through the ever-so-convenient Appstore. But that’s not the only option. Instead of coughing up $30 bucks, it might be worth your while to consider a Linux OS for Mac.

Why Blaspheme the Deity of Steve Jobs with something as lowly as Linux?

Though it may seem odd, as it certainly does for many hardcore Mac fans, a Linux OS for Mac can be quite a compelling concept. Here are three thoughts to ponder.

A Linux OS for Mac is Free; OS X is Not

With the flashy (albeit well-done) marketing and all the media coverage Mac OS X Lion is getting, it might seem like a no-brainer to opt for the upgrade. And though the cost of entry is low (approximately $30 USD), it’s infinitely more expensive than many flavors of a Linux OS, which will cost you a whopping nothing.

Gain full Mastery over your Computer with a Linux OS for Mac

Despite the fact that Linux and Mac are both based on Unix, they are worlds apart when it comes to modification. Sure you can move some things around or make some minor modifications with Mac OS, but anything deeper than that is pretty much locked down.

Not so with a Linux OS for Mac. Depending on your experience and dedication, you can make Linux do practically anything you want it to, and with its wide fan base, you can almost always find forums or guides to help you. The diversity and enthusiasm of the Linux community is a great benefit over what is offered by Apple, who seems to leave most of its documentation up to third parties like the Missing Manual folks.

Mac is Intuitive?

Apple fans can be quick to boast about how easy it is to use the Mac OS. It might be easy for those familiar with its quirks (no right-click, programs not closing when you close their window, etc.), but for someone completely new to the OS (my wife for instance), these idiosyncrasies can be a turnoff.

Linux, on the other hand, has many flavors (e.g. Lycoris or Ubuntu Desktop) that feel more like Windows than Mac, and are easier for a Windows user to adapt to. So, when my wife, for example, wants to use my computer, it’s more natural for her to fire up and navigate a Linux OS for Mac than it is to use the native Mac OS. If you plan on letting others use your computer, a Linux environment could very well be a better choice.

The Bottom Line

Apple makes great software, but it’s not the only option. You can do a lot of things with Mac OS X, and Apple is cooking up more features all the time; however, a Linux OS for Mac could very well help you take full advantage of your Apple hardware, for free, and allow non-Apple-savvy friends to get some benefit from your machine as well. Disagree? Leave a comment and tell me why it’s wrong to use a Linux OS for Mac.