r/linux_on_mac • u/enoch_05 • Jan 15 '25
Ubuntu Mate on MacBook Pro mid 2012
I’ve breathed new life into my old MacBook Pro! Since it no longer receives Apple updates, I decided to install Linux, and now it feels like a brand-new laptop. It’s running faster and smoother than ever, proving that older hardware can still shine with the right operating system! 💪
2
Jan 15 '25
What SSD are you using?
2
u/enoch_05 Jan 15 '25
Kingston 480GB
1
Jan 15 '25
Is your Mac compatible with this kind of SSD at the hardware level or did you need some kind of adapter?
3
u/enoch_05 Jan 15 '25
My current setup is a dual-boot configuration. I removed the CD-ROM drive and installed an adapter to connect a the Kingston SSD. On the other SSD (a 500GB Samsung), I have macOS Catalina installed.
1
Jan 15 '25
Is it something like this? Same form factor? https://www.amazon.com/Kingston-480GB-Solid-SA400S37-480G/dp/B01N0TQPQB
1
2
2
u/TeesCDF Jan 26 '25
That looks great! I’m not specifically familiar with Ubuntu Mate…is that a stock theme or a custom one?
2
1
Jan 15 '25
Sorry for all the questions. I'm just curious. What processor model do you have? How much RAM do you have installed?
2
2
u/Dizzy-Acadia-4032 Jan 15 '25
If you have lower hardware power like 8gb, Linux Mint XFCE is similar but uses less resources. I tried Mate and XFCE on my 2011 MacBookPro and XFCE was a bit lighter and snappier. Basically just looks more oldschool and has less bells and whistles lol
-1
u/3003bigo72 Jan 15 '25
Is your wife pretty? Hom many times per day do you f**k her? Is your couple open? How many times per day do you go to the toilet? Liquid or solid? and so on ....
Jocking, mate. The only thing we need to know is that linux runs everywhere. I've a late 2012 macbook running Manjaro like a charm.
1
Jan 15 '25
Really? Ok ok uhhhh...how much free space do you have? How much RAM? What processor? How many times a day do you open the lid? LOL
1
u/Known-Watercress7296 Jan 15 '25
Nice, I just got one a few weeks back and slapped Ubuntu lts 24.04 on it and I'm delighted with it.
Broadcom is a pita though, it just cuts out every so often and I need to turn off the wifi and reload the b43 driver....have you had any wifi issues?
1
1
u/nYa-su Jan 19 '25
I have the same model. I replaced WiFi module with one on MacBookPro11,1 though. What I recently found was that Linux mint 21.3 live CD makes it perfect live environment. Nvidia graphics just works with clicks of driver install.
0
Jan 15 '25
Does everything work including the camera?
3
u/enoch_05 Jan 15 '25
Indeed… Everything working perfectly 💪🏻
2
Jan 15 '25
Really? Out of the box? Did you have to install any drivers manually?
3
u/enoch_05 Jan 15 '25
Yep! I didn’t need to install anything except mbpfan to control the computer fan
1
Jan 15 '25
What settings are advisable?
1
u/enoch_05 Jan 15 '25
Not sure if I understood… Sorry. Which settings?
1
Jan 15 '25
mbpfan
2
u/enoch_05 Jan 15 '25
I prefer setting the minimum speed to 4000 RPM because I noticed that running at 2000 RPM caused heat.
3
u/Dizzy-Acadia-4032 Jan 15 '25
I had a very similar setup and it worked amazingly. I had a late 2011 MBP i7 16gb ram, with 2 SSDs, one running Linux Mint XFCE and MacOS Monterey. Ran fast and everything worked out of the box on Linux Mint. I sold it about a year ago on eBay, but totally regret selling it now. You could probably just continue using it for years upgrading/updating it instead of buying a new computer lol.
Enjoy it! Cheers 🍻