Is it possible to install ubuntu or another linux distro on a 2014 macbook pro? - eviltoast

A friend wants to gift me an old macbook pro he no longer uses. Specs follow:

MacBook Pro, Core i5, 2.8 GHz (I5-4308U), model A1502 (EMC 2875), Retina Mid-2014 13", MacBookPro11,1, RAM 8 GB, VRAM 1.5 GB, Storage 512 GB SSD

Out of principle I don’t use anything made by that brand and the only way I see myself using the hardware is if I can nuke the software and install any linux distro, ubuntu is the distro I know best.

Can it be done?

Any drawbacks?

It’s a model with a screwed aluminum case, meaning I cannot unplug the battery when I don’t need it. How long does it last?

Alternatively, what could I use this notebook for? Is there anything apple does better than linux that deserves I don’t nuke it?

      • taladar@sh.itjust.works
        32·
        9 months ago

        Well, the older versions are unsupported, I for one wouldn’t buy hardware just to run an unsupported OS version to run software that might break with any update on that OS version if the developers think they need some feature only available on later versions or will only support installation with some mechanism that changed over time.

        • ReallyZen@lemmy.ml
          4·
          9 months ago

          I have a 2013 “air” that was updated to 10.15 (so 64bits) ; I bought it dirt cheap secondhand for one specific app, and out of the box it did update itself when I connected it not so long ago. I changed the battery, too - most resellers include the impossible screwdrivers needed to open the strange tri-lobe screws.

          If OP has a use for it, it’s not bad hardware with backlit keyboard, a decent screen, lightweight. With a new battery it’s a decent all-day workhorse. My main machines are 5th gen Intel, and I remember nothing wrong with 4th gen.

          Any distro will run on it, or should. I’d bet you’ll get the spinning cube & wobbly windows easy peasy. If it’s free, just try it out.

          Have fun!

          • taladar@sh.itjust.works
            1·
            9 months ago

            I didn’t say they shouldn’t buy it to run Linux on it, just that I wouldn’t buy some old hardware just to run an already unsupported OS on it.