How can I run Linux on my MacBook?
How can I run Linux on my MacBook?
Consider what you need before buying a MacBook Pro for Linux. Some operating systems may not work well with Apple hardware. There are experiences shared by others about challenges in similar setups. Improvements to your workflow could include useful tools for the touchpad. Share your ideas!
You'd require an older Intel Mac since there isn't a fully functional alternative OS for Apple Silicon yet. The nearest option is Asahi Linux.
That's a smart move to consider a pre-2020 MacBook for cost savings.
Even macOS 13 only backs Intel Macs from a few years prior (about 2017 for most models). The decline appears to be approaching faster than expected.
In fact, your 2008 MacBook Pro works well with Linux Mint. Even though Apple stops supporting older Macs, you can still run Linux and legacy programs on them. For example, PowerPC apps for Mac OS X often struggle on ARM64 Macs, but certain older amd64 models with NVIDIA graphics can function if they’re using Mac OS X 10.6. If you aim for GNU/Linux or Windows, just make sure your machine has upgradeable RAM and storage.
It seems this was mainly highlighted as a note for potential users considering macOS later.