Hi all,
Let's start with: I've spent a far bit of time using my Google-fu, looking around this subject and falling short.
I have even been returning to a not unrelated post earlier this month (link).
Though nothing helpful for what I am specifically looking for.

Hopefully your knowledge may guide me directly or point me in the correct direction.

I few weeks ago I posted a question in regards an issue I was having on my current setup. The original post can be found here, but the brief is:
I have a black MacBook (Early 2008 / 4,1 ) running Mac OS X Lion 10.7.5; I cannot run Mountain Lion due to the hardware specifics.

Hence considering back to Linux; I have decided on Arch Linux as I believe that I am up for the challenge. I've have use Linux before, to a little more then a beginner level; I still spend a fair bit of time in the command-line.

I have installed Arch via virtual machine to test out a few things; but of course it's recognising virtual hardware.

My issue is that I have a MacBook, and that's all I have; I would want to run just Arch Linux.
I have read that there are some complications when getting Linux on Mac hardware.
Issues with booting due to Mac hardware being EFI.
Issues involving the iSight camera. I have read that you need to copy certain *.kext files (from ArchWiki).

I have read the ArchWiki section on MacBook, Arch Linux Only. It only seems to cover the basic issues.

I have read a few articles about installing Arch Linux, most give duel boot solutions, which is not what I'm looking for.
Are there any other *.kext files I may need from Mac OS X or specific drivers that are not mentioned in the above linked article?

Can those of you that have successfully installed Arch Linux onto Mac hardware (preferably same/similar model), lend any advice?

Thanks,
Matt Parnell

What do you mean by
Quot Issues with booting due to Mac hardware being EFI end quot
Second you do know the hardware spec of you're Mac .
So you can find out if it is supported by Arch linux .
Yes you can not run Mountain Lion but Lion is still supported 1 year or so

I found people expressing a difficulty with this; after further reading from reading your response; I see that it was due to trying to force MBR and having issues syncing tables.

I have read further articles that use GPT instead, and there is no issues with the EFI.

True. I am currently running Lion, and will be using a fresh install. On the other hand, if I still am receiving issues, or it gets to the point that I am too far behind OS X releases due to hardware restrictions (10.9 is expected to be unveiled this WWDC) I will change over to Linux to get the best out of my hardware.

(Each OS X update has felt a little more sluggish then the last, as it's optimised for the newer hardware)

Of course.
I have read articles of people putting Arch Linux on older MacBooks/PowerBooks (2006 models, etc.) and newer ones (2012, etc.); so I'm confident that Arch Linux can interface with my hardware.

Using the command line and piping into a file:
I have attached (the rather long) output; with some wifi information removed for security reasons.
[I also have removed the list of printer drivers, etc., they are too long and unimportant]

Thanks; I hope this helps.

Attached Files

sys-prof.txt (16.5 KB, 35 views)

Doing a fresh install of OS x is mostly a waste of time .
But what did you do to keep you're OS X snappy ?
Running LION you should have at least 4 GB RAM

There are many Valid reason to go for linux , but not that OS X becomes sluggish

It is optimized in that way for new hardware that you can get the most of the new hardware .
With Mountain Lion as a example you can make out of 1 SSD + 1 HD 1 One logical drive and Mountain Lion keeps track of you're most used app and put it on the SDD .

And yes you can run Linux on MAC
It only a computer and nothing else

I briefly explained what the issue was in a separate (and linked) thread.

If you read the system profile I sent, per your request, you can see that I do have 4 GB RAM.

I know this, and have quite clearly shown this knowledge of this from the start.

This has not answered the original question: what specific drivers and *.kext files (for example) would I need to get all the hardware working on a MacBook 4,1; from someone who has done this on the same or similar model.

From the look of it, this post will not get an answer anytime soon.
I will leave this thread open [unless an moderator choses to close it], and if I find my answer, I will post it here for other's reference.

Thanks to ronlau9 for his effort in this matter.

Bump (also have MBP 4,1 and would like to go full arch)