Convert old MacBook to linux

[805thRCTank]

I came across an old MacBook. According to google fu it?s a unibody with aluminum body. It?s got a network cable in port on the left. So it?s old.

Can old Mac hardware be able to run linux mint?

Appreciate your input folks.

[WoodTurner]

Shouldn't be a problem

[Iknownot]

I came across an old MacBook. According to google fu it?s a unibody with aluminum body. It?s got a network cable in port on the left. So it?s old.

Can old Mac hardware be able to run linux mint?

Appreciate your input folks.

I?ve put Ubuntu and cloud ready chromos or maybe it?s called chromium now I forget, on an old MacBook Pro and an old MacBook Air. Pretty much turns them into a current entry to mid tier level. Chromebook.

Try to figure out what model your Mac is, and check the cloud ready, chromOs certified list. Because if it?s a certified model, their distribution will work very well on it. Just one suggestion, but run whatever you want.

[805thRCTank]

Try to figure out what model your Mac is.

I don?t know a thing about MacBook but it looks like the 2009-2010 model according to mac support website.

How would I set it up boot sequence to start in the thumb drive first?

[arrix]

Use a lighter weight desktop environment like Xfce.

[805thRCTank]

Use a lighter weight desktop environment like Xfce.

Thanks for that option. Never heard of that until now

[Iknownot]

I don?t know a thing about MacBook but it looks like the 2009-2010 model according to mac support website.

How would I set it up boot sequence to start in the thumb drive first?

Your macbook might be supported if it is a 2009. Basically you create the USB installer, put it in a USB port on the Mac and boot it up holding down option. That should get you to the mac os Boot installer and you go from there.

Anyway, here's a basic article. Or you can go directly to the cloudready website. They have a big FAQ over there.

https://9to5mac.com/2021/08/05/how-to-bring-an-old-mac-back-to-life-by-installing-chrome-os-on-it-for-free/

I've liked using Ubuntu and Mint, but honestly if you want simple to install and go, cloudready is probably the best bet. at least from what I've tried out. (And it's very similar to Google ChromeOs so if you have any experience with that, there's nothing to lean really.)

In any case, you can try it and move on to one of the other Distros if you don't like it's features.

[arrix]

Thanks for that option. Never heard of that until now

No problem. You can boot from LiveCDs from USB or disc to test out various distros and configs before you do the actual install. See what works for you.

[elx144]

A full blown Desktop should be fine. I've been running laptops that old with the latest releases. Load it up with 16GB of memory and swap out the hard drive for an SSD.

The hardest part for the Macs was the eUFI boot loader but all of the modern Linux releases have that already.

[DaveInOroValley]

Use Mactracker to see the capabilities of it, it's free and its a great piece of software that's updated regularly.

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/mactracker/id311421597

[805thRCTank]

Quick update:

Acquired flash drive, installed mint and acquired a 1TB SSD. Got the old Mac running mint.

System info says it?s a MacBook 5. Intel core 2 duo with 2gb memory and Geforce 9400

This will be a nice web browser device and a nice intro to linux for me.

[arrix]

Quick update:

Acquired flash drive, installed mint and acquired a 1TB SSD. Got the old Mac running mint.

System info says it?s a MacBook 5. Intel core 2 duo with 2gb memory and Geforce 9400

This will be a nice web browser device and a nice intro to linux for me.

Nice work! Now do the following from the terminal.

sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade

these will update your system to the latest patches

[805thRCTank]

Hey Arrix,

Thanks for that tip. Linux mint is awesome. Seriously considering my backup computer to run also linux mint.

Quick question, do I need antivirus software?

[arrix]

Hey Arrix,

Thanks for that tip. Linux mint is awesome. Seriously considering my backup computer to run also linux mint.

Quick question, do I need antivirus software?

Generally speaking I would say no because software requires elevated privileges to install (hence sudo) so it's highly unlikely you'll accidentally install malware without your knowledge. I'd be more cautious about running a bad bash script downloaded from the internet (which a virus scanner won't work on anyway).

EDIT: but if you're interested, install rkhunter (sudo apt install rkhunter) from the terminal. It's a rootkit/malware scanner.