Linux installation guide for MacBook Pro 8.1
Linux installation guide for MacBook Pro 8.1
Hey everyone! So I'm back in school again and I'll be handling Linux and Windows-based operating systems along with server setups. That means I might need to figure out how to set up Debian or Ubuntu on my MacBook Pro 8,1 (late 2011) instead of OS X, get a new laptop just for Linux and Windows, or even win the Razer giveaway. What I really want is to save money for a better machine and be able to run both operating systems at the same time.
First, my MacBook works fine, which would save me about $1200 on a new one. Plus, if it's possible, I'd like to learn by doing. Do any of you have installed Linux on a MacBook before? From what I understand, I'd need to use a boot manager called "rEFInd" to switch between OS X and Windows. But does that also support running Linux alongside them? Also, the school requirements say "Linux-based OS," so I'm leaning toward Debian or at least Ubuntu for various reasons.
I've checked out some wikis on Google, but the info there seems a bit old. I'd really appreciate advice from any tech experts you have. Thanks in advance! -Lex
PowerPC Macs can boot Linux via the menu options, I think Intel Macs can too. Just create a new partition using Disk Utility and start from the Linux installation media. It shouldn’t be that difficult.
Hey there, I understand your question about PPCs and BIOS. It seems like you're exploring different ways to get Linux running on an Intel Mac. Some sources suggest using a boot manager like rEFInd, while others recommend downloading the AMD64 version of Linux directly. The main concern is whether all three OSes will boot correctly. You might want to test it with another HDD to see how it performs.
I start with two copies of OS X and two of Windows on my Pro. Everything runs smoothly without any issues. I’d say go ahead, just try it—it won’t hurt. I’m thinking about setting up Linux soon on my Pro too, possibly using a Windows install method. EDIT: It seems you might need another bootloader or be careful not to overwrite OS X.
I tried it on my pro machine. It doesn't support 32-bit EFI, so I had to launch the install in Windows. It should appear properly in the boot menu as a Windows installation media and boot up correctly with 64-bit EFI. The default boot menu will function normally, but it will treat the Linux disk as a Windows disk. You'll likely need to experiment until it loads fully—this isn't my strong spot with Linux, and the long wait caused a shell error, though I think it should work once you get comfortable.
Hey there! Thanks for the effort with the mice! From what I understand, rEFInd is essential for proper startup, and SIP should be turned off to run Linux smoothly on a Mac (especially from 10.10 onward). I’ll swap in a new SSD and give it a shot. Disabling certain protections might feel like microwaving food, but I’m willing to give it a try. I’m lucky if I get a late 2011 MacBook since otherwise you’d likely need to tweak display settings and GPU options—especially if they’re dedicated. Still, I’m ready to give it a go. I’m used to using my Mac for work and personal tasks, so switching to one notebook sounds like a good move. I’ll let you know how it goes after testing. Thanks for the encouragement! -Lex
No problem, and SIP started with 10.11, very easy to disable. Just boot into the recovery disk from the boot menu. Open Terminal and type "csrutil disable" It's not really going to hurt anything its just another layer of security to prevent malicious code and some "dangerous" programs from running. The OS is still pretty secure with the security updates coming in and I wouldn't worry about it at all Good luck!
You're correct about El Capitan. So, SIP is meant to stop the installation of harmful software like Windows. That sounds like a cool project! If it goes well, you saved me from spending money on a new notebook! Hooray! Thanks again! I'll give it a shot. -Lex
I'm a bit late here, but I may be able to offer some help. I've been running Linux on my MacBook Pro 9,2 for a little while now without any major issues. Like HrutkayMods said, it's a pretty straight forward install. I first installed Arch Linux on my MacBook, and used rEFInd installed from OS X to manage the dual boot. Since then I've moved to Solus, which installs it's own EFI bootloader "goofiboot" by default. In terms of running Linux on a MacBook, things have been pretty smooth. Battery life isn't quite as good as OS X, but the battery is only capable of charging to 74% anyway. It seems to get little hotter under Linux than OS X, but only when watching video in Chrome for extended periods of time. I'd recommend installing "TLP" and "thermald" if your distribution doesn't come with them pre-installed. The Arch Wiki is a great place for Linux information, even if you're not gonna be running Arch. Here's the page on your MacBook Pro: https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Mac...8,3_(2011) And finally, good luck! If you run into any problems or have any questions, I'd be more than happy to help in any way I can
This could be helpful, though it isn't tailored for Debian-based distributions https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/MacBook