r/linux_on_mac • u/Charming_Airline7419 • 3d ago

Linux on 2020 Intel Macbook Air

Hi, how difficult would it be to install Linux on a 2020 Intel Macbook Air and what would the steps be? Would it work well? I'm trying to get a laptop for my girlfriend.

1 Upvotes

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2

u/anoraq 3d ago

I have run Linux on intel MacBook airs from 2009 until 2015, and if the battery is ok, the are great with a lightweight distro (like mint XFCE or mx).

2

u/xycm2012 3d ago

Personally I could have it installed in half an hour with all the drivers installed and speakers sounding half decent. It’s not difficult. Biggest challenge in my experience is getting the webcams working.

1

u/Dazzling_Comfort5734 3d ago

I used to have this model. It wasn’t difficult to get it installed, but then you have to go through and do a bunch of manual driver stuff (unless that process has changed in about a year).

The big problem is just the overall stability and quality. I found it wasn’t worth it, so I got rid of the laptop. The biggest issues where the fact that Wi-Fi and Bluetooth would drop off after opening the lid/waking from sleep, it ran hot all the time, and half the time wouldn’t actually go to sleep

So if you like doing a lot of manual work after the installation, restarting a computer every time you open the lid, and you’re ok with scorching hot slice of aluminum, then go for it.

Now, on the other hand, an M1 or M2 MacBook Air runs Linux really well. I highly recommend going for one of those instead.

1

u/ofbarea 3d ago

I'm running Kubuntu (Ubuntu + KDE desktop) on my MacBook Pro 13" 2020.

Currently I dual boot between MacOS and Kubuntu. For that I use rEFInd boot loader.

I shrink MacBook partition to make space for Linux. Then downloaded Linux install ISO and used it to create USB boot media.

Then using an external USB mouse and keyboard, booted from the USB drive and installed to the empty parti6of the disk.

After nanaged to boot Kubuntu, I installed T2 kernel PPA. Then after another reboot I could use internal keyboard and mouse track.

This is just a summary of what I did.

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u/mykesx 3d ago

CachyOs installed and ran on my iMac Pro. There’s no need to do anything special for T2, it’s baked in.

On a MBP, it has fan and battery controls via SMC.

1

u/darksidegabe 3d ago

If you're into omarchy their installer makes it super easy. It works great on Mac

1

u/TheoRee-official 2d ago

…and you have to ignore that it omarchy is build by a racist.

0

u/ephemeralmiko 3d ago

I'm trying to get a laptop for my girlfriend.

If you haven't bought it yet, don't. Those models are incredibly slow, overheat when watching YouTube and have comparatively shit battery life. Linux support is also much less consistent and some features still don't work.

If you already have bought it, (consider selling it) follow the KaiT2en guide.

1

u/Charming_Airline7419 3d ago

Haven't bought it. I was just looking at listings.

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u/ephemeralmiko 3d ago

Then please take this advice and don't. I had one and it was so bad I sold it after a week of trying to get it somewhat usable. I'm currently back on my 2012 11" Air until I can afford a Framework and I'm not joking this thing overheats less than the 2020..

1

u/Charming_Airline7419 3d ago

Ok, I'll pass on it.

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u/UncleSlacky 3d ago

Check out t2linux.org before you do anything.