MacBook 5,1 and Ubuntu 13.04 (Raring)
This page aims to describe the steps needed, to fully enable all features of the 1st Generation MacBook Unibody (release date: late 2008) when using Ubuntu 13.04, Raring.
You can find the Ubuntu 13.04 Mac desktop image here: Ubuntu 13.04 (Raring Ringtail) Daily Build.
You can find out, what 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
Wireless (AirPort)
Desktop Effects (Unity)
Touchpad (appletouch)
Keyboard functions (Brightness,volume,...)
Fans
Sound
Suspend & Hibernate
CD/DVD Writing
Bluetooth
External Monitor
iSight
Apple USB 56K Modem
Apple Remote Control
Basic Installation Instructions
Common things about installing and maintaining Ubuntu on Intel-based Macs: Intel CPU-based Macintosh Generic Installation Instructions.
You can also install Ubuntu by replacing MacOS as the installer offers you. This makes full disk encryption easy since you can use the corresponding full-disk-install option. To decrease booting time do, the following after you have installed Ubuntu this way: restart and hold the alt/option-key. Press enter while holding the control-button. This will decrease the time for the initial "lit-screen" from about 45 to 12 second.
Wireless (AirPort)
You need to check "Third-Party"-Software while installing or do the following afterwards: Open and choose Broadcom STA in:
System -> Administration -> Additional Drivers
Desktop Effects (Unity) & Keyboard functions (Brightness)
If you want to enable proprietary graphic drivers you can do that here:
System Settings -> Software & Updates -> Additional Drivers
Tested: Experimental NVIDIA ... from nvidia-experimental-310 (proprietary) After installing 310 you have to follow these steps to get you brightness-control-keys to work again: Brightness control not working- Ubuntu 12.04 LTS - Macbook pro 5,5.
Trackpad
Left-click, right-click (two finger-)use and basic trackpad work out of the box.
You can switch to two-finger-scrolling here:
System Settings -> Mouse & Touchpad
Suspend
Tested with full-disk encryption enabled and installed as MacOS replacement. You may have to give it two trials to work. On the first trial you may receive a black screen which forces you to restart.