Modern Ubuntu is KILLER on old Intel Macs!
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Today we’re installing the latest Ubuntu Linux on an old 11″ Macbook Air. How does it compare to running MacOS Catalina on it, which is the last officially supported MacOS?
More importantly, which is better for playing Minecraft?
LINKS:
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🍎 Macbook Air iFixit: https://www.ifixit.com/Device/MacBook_Air
🍎 Battery: https://amzn.to/3riAAnC
🍎 OWC SSD: https://amzn.to/3PNxZMS
🍎 Ubuntu: https://ubuntu.com/
🍎 Classicube: https://www.classicube.net/
(Amazon links are affiliated links)
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#Mac #Ubuntu #Linux
ubuntu
it's gnome4X now.
Well over 20 years now Mac has always been nothing more than the place my linux lives.
this gave me a pretty solid idea, to run Arch on my 12 inch macbook, a fully loaded 2017 model with the i7. I even did the thermal pad mod on it a few months ago in hopes of breathing new life in it. What this mod does is prevent the machine from overheating its CPU (which eventually reliably leads it to die) to giving you a mild burn on your thigh.
I really like your experiments. I recently picked up one of these just to take a look at the old form factor. While I was reimaging it with MacOS just to check out the system I did notice it was slow. I was wondering, you must have a great deal of patience. I'm new to your channel, what career path were you in before these youtube videos? Thank you. I love the content.
This is such a cool breakdown!
I have a M1 Air with 16GB mem/512GB SSD as my daily driver now, but until about a year ago, I used a 2012 Air with 8GB mem/1TB Samsung SSD with Fedora Linux. I also replaced the battery and renewed the thermal paste on the CPU a couple of times. I use the old one in my hobby room now. It is still going strong!
Lubuntu always has been more compatible and better for lower performance hardware than ubuntu.
I'm thinking MacOs is runnjng from opengl? Other factors may include apple os running the cpu in power saving mode?
high 30's= 30 fps exactly
well above 20fps = 12fps
On imac 2011 mouse pointer disappear after some minutes and there is no way to fix.
I also use linux dist (Linux Mint 21) on my old mac book air 11 (4 gb ram) and it works really
I really like Ubuntu. Like you said, I've tried them all but I keep going back to Ubuntu.
And ubuntu 23.10
Benchmark shows different frequency between macOS and Ubuntu. Why is that?
My favorite laptop I've ever used (and still do) is my 2016 Retina MacBook running Linux Mint Cinnamon. SUPER smooth and responsive.
that display is not beautiful…
I bought one because of this video. For just over $100 on eBay like you said. Excited to get it and experiment.
I'm currently installing Ubuntu on an old Acer ES14 laptop. I ask around my friends if they have any old MacBooks they are not using anymore. I'll start reviving old tech again like I used to.
16:05 the reason you couldn’t go over 60 frames per second is a thing called vsync. Vsync exists to stabilize fps to make it the opposite of laggy so you don’t get random fps dips, but if you have a decent computer vsync isn’t necessary. Turn it off to get more fps. If you already know what vsync is and you already turned it off I would feel stupid.
Pop OS works far better on mac book air.
Meanwhile for the same total cost you spent for used Mac and parts, you can buy new(!) windows laptop with same performance and what is more important, under warranty. So what is the point?
linux is fine for life in 1985
The issue you had was likely due to failing tumb drive.
Did the camera work? I use my computer mainly for online classes with the webcam on all the time and my MB Pro 213 i7 has been struggling mainly with GMeet, which some students prefer to use. It's the only application that overheats my laptop and I've been considering partitioning the SSD with Ubuntu fro these classes. I've been using Linux on another Linux only laptop which has been lent to me and it works great with an i7 and 8gb of Ram, roughly the same spec on my MB. But if the camera doesn't work, it's a no go.
now I wanna do this with a slightly newer macbook air
That gives all the pre 2011 macs or Imacs a new lease of life for the Poor or disadvantaged . They can be saved from E-waste or the back of cupboards
I love microcenter, but their usb drives are garbage.
I installed Windows 10 on my 2019 Macbook pro and it run faster than macOS Big Sur
you said it's a core duo but this is an i3 third gen..
Hey man! Thanks for the video! I bought a MacBook Air with 8 gb ram/1280 ssd/i5 intel processor and it actually work with fine on Catalina but your video made me want to try Ubuntu. I live in Hanoi, Vietnam and I have to go to work on a motorbike every day, so carrying the laptop in my backpack is not breaking my back anymore like my old MacBook Pro 2011 was. I'm not really using this laptop for heavy work like video editing or music production (which I do on my old MacBook and a Mac mini from 2014 that I recently bought too), I only use it to project really simple PPTs/PDFs and really light web browsing. Is still on Catalina but the laptop apparently supports Sonoma but honestly, I don't think I'll upgrade it. Will try Ubuntu instead, definitely. Thank you for the video again!
Used multiple distro's on my old 2011 13" MBA (4GB/256GB/i7). Settle on Fedora w/ GNOME, and it is GREAT!
wow that was easy this was way less work and worked faster then installing macos on it macos dident work