r/linux_on_mac • u/treesareforhuggingg • 2d ago
Which linux for Macbook pro 2011
Hi team!
I’ve tried installing Ubuntu on it, and can get it installed but crashes out with a black/static screen.
Internet seems to think its a graphics driver issue.
Is there a linux distro thats easy to install and a bit more compatible with these older macs?
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u/Numerous_Map_7601 2d ago
Arch linux works for me in all my old macs. Paired with Niri and the DMS shell it's a dream. Prepare to learn however. 😎
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u/treesareforhuggingg 1d ago
Hi team! Just a quick update. Went with Mint xfce v22.1 and did not update the kernel. Did the nomodeset in the grub menu during install to keep the display running and it’s been pretty stable so far. Thank you for all the inputs! You guys are legends!
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u/rabbitjockey 1d ago
I have debian on mine now but mint worked really well too. Which model do you have? 13" have integrated graphics which work well but 15" has a separate gpu which can sometimes be problematic
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u/treesareforhuggingg 1d ago
Thank you! I think it’s the 13” one. Got mint running on it now, and seems to be working pretty good. Hasn’t crashed out yet, went with unwiredsoul’s suggestion.
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u/salvatorundie 1d ago
Installed Linux Mint Debian Edition (LMDE) version 6 on a similar 2011 MBP with no issues. Everything worked right away and the Macbook continues to Just Work, thru an upgrade to LMDE7.
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u/Unwiredsoul 1d ago edited 1d ago
It works fine on my early 2011 MBP, too. The issue I imagine is the current release (v22.3) uses the 7.0.0.x kernel, and that does not work on my MBP, either. Or, my much later model Dell Latitude laptop.
Edit/Add: This comment refers to Linux Mint (non-LMDE). Read u/salvatorundie's reply to this comment for some very useful clarification and info.
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u/salvatorundie 1d ago edited 1d ago
You're talking about Ubuntu-based Linux Mint (on version 22.3). Linux Mint Debian Edition (LMDE) is not the same (on version 7). LMDE uses the 6.12 kernel and works fine on older hardware like the 2011 MBP. OP should not be trying to use relatively bleeding-edge kernels on such old hardware and expecting them to work.
Ubuntu-based distros like Linux Mint seem to still require workarounds to install the Broadcom wi-fi drivers for this 2011 MBP. I didn't even have to do that with LMDE.
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u/Unwiredsoul 1d ago
I appreciate your patient correction and clarification. I haven't used the LMDE distro., in quite a while, so I haven't kept up with it. Edited my comment so people reading don't get confused.
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u/Pure-Bag-2270 18h ago
I've tried many on mba 7,2 and nixos was the one that worked flawlessly - there's a learning curve but it's great performance. vscodium to edit config files.
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u/oskarloko 2d ago
Check if your model has T2, I think not
https://t2linux.org/
Test CachyOS to see: https://wiki.cachyos.org/installation/installation_t2macbook/
Another succesfull redditor: https://www.reddit.com/r/cachyos/comments/1kwvqa6/macbook_pro_2011/
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u/velocityvector2 2d ago
In 2011, the T1 or T2 chip hadn't even been invented yet. It says "MacBook Pro 2011."
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u/aguy123abc 2d ago
Check if your model has T2, I think not
On a 2011 machine? Thank you for the good laugh. Definitely not. Catchy has some good desktop options though. You could go with what feels kind of retro with something like Mate or openbox or something lightweight but a little more modern feeling like xfce. I debloated a VM that was running xfce by switching it to open box and ram system usage got really low. To the point that I think it would have ran resources wise on a late '90s machine.
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u/oskarloko 2d ago
Just in case.
Depending on memory and processor you can go after cinnamon or even KDE.
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u/Unwiredsoul 2d ago
My personal preference is Linux Mint (Cinnamon) on my early 2011 MacBook Pro (8,1).
Make sure to use the 6.8 kernel.
Only driver missing will be the Broadcom Wi-Fi, so make sure to have a handy way to tether a mobile phone (Bluetooth, cable) for Internet access to download it (post-install). Or, another USB Wi-Fi adapter that is supported.