MacBook 3,1 and Ubuntu 16.04.1 (Xenial)

This page aims to describe the steps taken to fully enable all features of the 3rd Generation MacBook (release date: late 2007) when using Ubuntu 16.04.1, Xenial Xerus.

You can find out which model you have by typing at the terminal:

sudo dmidecode -s system-product-name

• If you have a different model, please go here and find the right wiki.

Overview

Anything not mentioned here probably already works out of the box. If not, please refer to the Ubuntu Apple Users forum.

• Feature	Support status
  Sound	(works out-of-the-box)
  Suspend & Hibernate	(works out-of-the-box)
  Desktop Effects (Compiz)	(works out-of-the-box)
  HFS+	(works out-of-the-box)
  Keyboard functions (Brightness,volume,...)	(works out-of-the-box)
  CD/DVD Writing	(not yet documented)
  Bluetooth	(not yet documented)
  External Monitor	(not yet documented)
  Wireless (AirPort)	(needs manual install)
  iSight	(not yet documented)
  Touchpad (appletouch)	(works out-of-the-box)
  Mic	(not yet documented)
  Firewire	(not yet documented)

(works out-of-the-box)
(works, with remarks)
(needs manual install)
(won't work)
(not yet documented)

Basic Installation Instructions

Common things about installing and maintaining Ubuntu on Intel-based Macs: Intel CPU-based Macintosh Generic Installation Instructions

1. - Resize OS X partition with Disk Utility
   

2. - Boot Ubuntu Trusty installation media from USB flash drive
   

3. - Run the installer and select to "install alongside OS X"
   

4. - Boot into your fresh installation
   

5. - Enable the Broadcom wireless drivers (STA) from the "Additional Drivers" dialogue
   

6. - Enjoy Ubuntu!
   

Wireless (AirPort)

This required manual installation of the Broadcom STA driver via the Additional Drivers program.

iSight

CategoryMac