Revision 9 as of 2014-04-22 21:40:29

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MacBook 5,1 and Ubuntu 14.04 (Trusty)

This page aims to describe the steps needed, to fully enable all features of the 1st Generation MacBook Unibody (release date: late 2008).

IconsPage/terminal.png 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.

You can find the Ubuntu 14.04 desktop image here: Ubuntu 14.04 (Trusty Tahr) Daily Build. Just pick the regular 64bit build (not the Mac version). The only difference is that EFI is disabled in the Mac version (Source, answer #2) but it works fine.

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)

    IconsPage/ok.png IconsPage/info.png

    Desktop Effects (Unity)

    IconsPage/ok.png IconsPage/info.png

    Touchpad (appletouch)

    IconsPage/ok.png

    Keyboard functions (Brightness,volume,...)

    IconsPage/ok.png IconsPage/info.png

    Fans

    IconsPage/ok.png IconsPage/info.png

    Sound

    IconsPage/ok.png

    Suspend & Hibernate

    IconsPage/ok.png

    CD/DVD Writing

    IconsPage/question.png

    Bluetooth

    IconsPage/ok.png

    External Monitor

    IconsPage/ok.png

    iSight

    IconsPage/ok.png

    Apple Remote Control

    IconsPage/question.png

IconsPage/ok.png (works out-of-the-box)
IconsPage/ok.png IconsPage/info.png (works, with remarks)
IconsPage/warning.png (needs manual install)
IconsPage/dont.png (won't work)
IconsPage/question.png (not yet documented)

Basic Installation Instructions

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

You can also completely erase MacOS.

When doing a MacOS replacement install: To decrease booting time do the following after you have installed Ubuntu: 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

Nvidia drivers

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.

Note: You can disable the Nvidia branding this way: disable nvidia splash screen.

Keyboard functions (Brightness,volume,...)

When using nvidia drivers, do the following to enable the brightness keys: Fix brightness control.

Fans

If you get the impression that you Mac runs hotter than usual (as I did), then add the Mactel PPA repository by doing the following. It will start your fan sooner. 

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:mactel-support

You can uninstall/reinstall it anytime and should hear the effect immediately. 

sudo apt-get update && \
sudo apt-get install macfanctld

If you get an error while running update it means you have to edit the contents of the following file and replace "trusty" with "raring": 

sudo nano /etc/apt/sources.list.d/mactel-support-ppa-trusty.list

Note: You can observe CPU temperature with this tool: https://launchpad.net/~alexmurray/+archive/indicator-sensors.

Trackpad

Left-click, right-click (two finger-)use and basic trackpad work out of the box.

You can enable Natural Scroll here:

  • System Settings -> Mouse & Touchpad