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Linux on a Mac

Linux on a Mac

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MrN1G4PT
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03-14-2016, 06:43 AM
#1
You can begin by checking out Linux-compatible software for your MacBook Pro, such as GNOME or KDE desktops, and explore package managers like APT or YUM for installing applications.
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M
MrN1G4PT
03-14-2016, 06:43 AM #1

You can begin by checking out Linux-compatible software for your MacBook Pro, such as GNOME or KDE desktops, and explore package managers like APT or YUM for installing applications.

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Alaskan_rs
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03-14-2016, 08:18 AM
#2
Welcome to the forum! Pop_OS is a popular choice, often based on Ubuntu. I have Linux set up on my MacBook Air. I lost track of where I got the installation guide but managed to install it easily as a beginner and suggest Ubuntu.
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Alaskan_rs
03-14-2016, 08:18 AM #2

Welcome to the forum! Pop_OS is a popular choice, often based on Ubuntu. I have Linux set up on my MacBook Air. I lost track of where I got the installation guide but managed to install it easily as a beginner and suggest Ubuntu.

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Slow_Burn351
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03-14-2016, 08:36 AM
#3
Thanks! I'll give it a shot.
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Slow_Burn351
03-14-2016, 08:36 AM #3

Thanks! I'll give it a shot.

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bradje07
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03-14-2016, 01:22 PM
#4
Thanks for the assistance. Booting from the EFI boot causes a black screen.
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bradje07
03-14-2016, 01:22 PM #4

Thanks for the assistance. Booting from the EFI boot causes a black screen.

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ShaneTV
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03-19-2016, 08:36 PM
#5
I'm using Fedora 32 on both my 2009 and 2014 MacBook Pros, and everything works smoothly. The Fedora logo appears on the startup menu during EFI boot time.
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ShaneTV
03-19-2016, 08:36 PM #5

I'm using Fedora 32 on both my 2009 and 2014 MacBook Pros, and everything works smoothly. The Fedora logo appears on the startup menu during EFI boot time.

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Koningtwann
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03-21-2016, 07:20 AM
#6
Macs (Macbook Pro/Air/desktops) now function much like standard PCs in most respects. The main difference is the absence of a BIOS interface for managing boot options or legacy features. They fully support EFI, allowing any EFI-based Linux installation media to load from USB—though Legacy mode isn’t available. For dual-booting, use Disk Utility to adjust the OS X partition beforehand (most Linux installers should handle this, but APFS might not). Once resized, simply install.

I’ve run Linux on my older Macbook Pro for years. Similar concerns arise with laptops (Apple or otherwise): these typically involve touchpad quirks. Apple leads in multi-gesture support; Windows and Linux alternatives can’t match it fully, but custom tweaks can bridge the gap. Some Wi-Fi drivers caused instability—connection drops and chip lockups were common, though newer chips like the MBP5/5’s BCM4322 seem more stable.

Driver problems included: keyboard and display backlight controls sometimes malfunctioned, often fixable with updates. Occasionally, proprietary NVidia drivers turned VCs black, while Nouveau had its own quirks. Display issues were mostly limited to double-buffering flicker when using certain effects—temporary fixes worked.

These hiccups aren’t unique to Macs; they stem from the specific display adapter used in this model (MBP5/5). Other laptops with the same chip would likely face similar challenges. The core issue isn’t hardware, but compatibility with Linux drivers and software updates.

This situation has persisted for years, and it’s even more pronounced on laptops than desktops. This update was made on July 31, 2020 by Wild Penquin – many revisions and notes included! Sorry if this confused you.
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K
Koningtwann
03-21-2016, 07:20 AM #6

Macs (Macbook Pro/Air/desktops) now function much like standard PCs in most respects. The main difference is the absence of a BIOS interface for managing boot options or legacy features. They fully support EFI, allowing any EFI-based Linux installation media to load from USB—though Legacy mode isn’t available. For dual-booting, use Disk Utility to adjust the OS X partition beforehand (most Linux installers should handle this, but APFS might not). Once resized, simply install.

I’ve run Linux on my older Macbook Pro for years. Similar concerns arise with laptops (Apple or otherwise): these typically involve touchpad quirks. Apple leads in multi-gesture support; Windows and Linux alternatives can’t match it fully, but custom tweaks can bridge the gap. Some Wi-Fi drivers caused instability—connection drops and chip lockups were common, though newer chips like the MBP5/5’s BCM4322 seem more stable.

Driver problems included: keyboard and display backlight controls sometimes malfunctioned, often fixable with updates. Occasionally, proprietary NVidia drivers turned VCs black, while Nouveau had its own quirks. Display issues were mostly limited to double-buffering flicker when using certain effects—temporary fixes worked.

These hiccups aren’t unique to Macs; they stem from the specific display adapter used in this model (MBP5/5). Other laptops with the same chip would likely face similar challenges. The core issue isn’t hardware, but compatibility with Linux drivers and software updates.

This situation has persisted for years, and it’s even more pronounced on laptops than desktops. This update was made on July 31, 2020 by Wild Penquin – many revisions and notes included! Sorry if this confused you.

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F
FixltFelix
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03-23-2016, 01:20 AM
#7
I installed Parallels 15 to mimic Ubuntu 20.04 on macOS and everything functions correctly.
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FixltFelix
03-23-2016, 01:20 AM #7

I installed Parallels 15 to mimic Ubuntu 20.04 on macOS and everything functions correctly.

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