asterik'

Take a look at the NeXTSTEP section of Apple's Operating System History. Good luck with the new Mini.

Mac OS X is not based on GNU/Linux. The system is built on top of Darwin, an open-source operating system utilizing technologies from Mach 3.0 and FreeBSD (and others). The Mac OS X graphics system is unlike most others and is significantly more sophisticated than what you're using with your current Linux installation; the Quartz windowing system uses a number of technologies that allow you to see those "crisp graphics, anti-aliased text, liquid transparency, and photo-realistic drop shadows" previously alluded to. System themes and window decorations can be changed repeatedly in your Linux desktop environment, but it still won't look (or feel) like Mac OS X. Mac OS X is an exceptionally well-designed system. Applications and services are extremely well integrated, resulting in an environment that is stable, efficient and elegant. What you may be longing for is the "Mac OS X Experience" rather than the eye candy alone. If you want the authentic experience, you could purchase (or find) an older Mac and into OS X on that. Alternatively, you could try to get a copy of Openstep (My personal favorite). Good luck.