So, I have an old mac mini, one of the flat ones. You know, it’s shaped more flat than the new ones.

I want to put Linux Mint on there.

Or maybe Ubuntu

and then, I am going to buy a really cheap monitor on eBay.

  • tvcvt@lemmy.ml
    2·
    3 hours ago

    Great idea; these are nice little machines. I have one running as part of a Proxmox cluster. I recall that there was some rigamarole to get it installed because of the T2 security chip that comes in that vintage of Mac. I’ll check my notes and see if I can find how I handled that.

  • mesa@piefed.socialEnglish
    3·
    14 hours ago

    I have a similar model 2016. Ubuntu worked the best on it. A trick is to connect the Ethernet so it can detect and download the latest drivers while its installing. WiFi and fans are spotty before that.

  • DoctorWhookah@sh.itjust.works
    12·
    20 hours ago

    I would be interested to hear your results and which flavor Linux you end up with. I have one of these just sitting around too.

    • umbrellacloud@leminal.spaceOP
      1·
      12 hours ago

      I’m leaning towards Ubuntu because that’s what everyone said would work. Some people in the comments are also saying this. I’ve never installed Linux on a Mac before.

    • LeFantome@programming.dev
      4·
      17 hours ago

      In my experience, EndeavourOS works best on these old Macs.

      People report good results with Mint as well but I get the impression they have to jump though more hoops to get decent WiFi.

  • Zen_Shinobi@lemmy.world
    8·
    20 hours ago

    I always thought about picking up a older mini just to play around with MacOS, but I use an Iphone for work and it is the most unintuitive OS i have used.

    Update us on your linux mini journey!

    • db2@lemmy.world
      3·
      18 hours ago

      MacOS is way less stupid than iPhone iOS.

      Strangely iOS on an iPod or iPad is less stupid too. I have no idea why that should be, but it is.

  • Dariusmiles2123@sh.itjust.works
    3·
    19 hours ago

    I use a MacBook Pro 2012 as a secondary computer and I find it very exciting to install Linux on beautiful hardware like these old Macs.

    It’s surprizingly Linux friendly (except reseting the wifi once a year). I don’t know why but previously I never thought you could install Linux on a Mac😅

  • phanto@lemmy.ca
    2·
    21 hours ago

    Thumbs up! Refind plus mint and you have yourself a nice little machine! This is my “music when I game” or “quick Google the walkthrough” secondary machine. Mine might be older though.