it seems a better idea not to wipe the MacBook Pro, Core i5, 2.8 GHz (I5-4308U), model A1502 (EMC 2875) but to partition the drive and install a linux based os on it.
Do I download all I need directly to the mac or do I use my linux desktop to download and then install to the mac with an usb cable?
Make a USB that you can “live boot” from, so you can test out how they work with your hardware. Generally speaking, Mint works better with AMD, and Pop! works better with Nvidea. Once you have one you like, you can use the installer on USB to set things up.
Here’s the official basic guide for Mint:
https://linuxmint-installation-guide.readthedocs.io/en/latest/
And here’s the official basic guide for Pop!:
https://support.system76.com/articles/install-pop/
That line is all intel iris graphics.
Also, kde neon runs perfectly on my 2013 MacBook Air. I’d argue with plasma 6, kde just knocked pop! Down a peg.