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-   -   Most suitable distro for macbook? (https://www.linuxquestions.org/questions/linux-laptop-and-netbook-25/most-suitable-distro-for-macbook-4175467710/)

lensilvan 06-28-2013 08:19 AM

Most suitable distro for macbook?
 
Hi,
I have a Macbook 5.2 white from 2009 where I expect to install Linux. However, I still did not make my decision on the distro I will use. Especially, I'm looking for the distro that support Apple hardware, stable, easy to configure and flexible. I could install Ubuntu or Arch but I have already tried both. I consider myself as a intermediate user but I don't have any experience toward Linux on Intel-Macs, only on PowerPC. Currently, I hesitate toward Gentoo or Slackware...

druuna 06-28-2013 08:32 AM

Did you give Debian a thought?

I have Debian (Squeeze/6) running stand-alone on my old MacBook Pro.

It is a bit of a challenge in some area's but it can be done.

szboardstretcher 06-28-2013 08:43 AM

I've gotten Arch (circa 2012) to work on a Macbook, but the wireless was still garbage. Never figured that one out.

lensilvan 06-28-2013 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by druuna (Post 4980227)
Did you give Debian a thought?

I have Debian (Squeeze/6) running stand-alone on my old MacBook Pro.

It is a bit of a challenge in some area's but it can be done.

My biggest concern is about the boot process which seems to be extremely complicated with that stuff about EFI and GPT. Does Debian allowed you to install GRUB2 on /dev/sda (the partition) instead of the MBR?

druuna 06-28-2013 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lensilvan (Post 4980238)
My biggest concern is about the boot process which seems to be extremely complicated with that stuff about EFI and GPT. Does Debian allowed you to install GRUB2 on /dev/sda (the partition) instead of the MBR?

Before installing I started with setting up the partitions I needed using gparted (erasing all signs of OS-X/original bootloader).

From that point on the Debian installer just worked (grub/mbr/lvm/luks), nothing special was needed.

The problems I came across were related to: function/apple keys not working, temperature readings, wireless, cooling, keyboard layout and some other minor issue's. All of them are fixed. Or close enough to call the fixed: I still have to figure out what some of the temperature readings are indicating.

Knightron 06-29-2013 03:01 AM

my recommendation is keep os x on there so you can maintain the efi through it. just shrink the partition to a small size. that's what I've done on my macbook pro. install refit trough os x, so you can dual boot, and keep hardware acceleration. (I've done this on mine, but I can't confirm that hardware acceleration is lost without refits use, but that's what I read) chain load your desired distro refit > grub > distro.

check out the Ubuntu wikis for installing on macbooks. you don't have to use Ubuntu, but the info is very good. it helped me a lot to install opensuse on mine.

JWJones 06-29-2013 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knightron (Post 4980646)
my recommendation is keep os x on there so you can maintain the efi through it.

That's about what I was going to say: "The best distro for a Macbook is OSX." So yes, partition drive and dual boot. Although I'm not a big fan myself, I'd say go with Ubuntu, or Linux Mint. Seems to be a pretty common setup, so the community support should be good.


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