Installing Ubuntu Gnome on my ol' Macbook Pro

Operating Systems & Open Source Linux
1

[Backstory]
Earlier this year my 2011 Macbook Pro's hard drive failed, and it didn't really bother me as I barely used it. But trips and time being away from my main rig I needed something to practice programming and other productivity based stuff, I contemplated for a while whether I should buy a new laptop/notebook, but the money I was prepared to pay was unnecessary for the use I would get out of it.

So I decided to throw Linux on my Macbook, and today is the first step, buying a new Samsung 850 EVO SSD.

[Downloading and installing]
At first I had my doubts that this would even work, as the only videos i've seen is dual booting with OSX, and I am installing it on a completely blank SSD, but I plugged the USB drive in and well it worked...

So after a few minutes of a white screen we got

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and the set up went smoothly

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and now it works completely fine thus far, about 5 hours in. I will update this place if theres any incompatibility (Haven't tested the wifi yet...)

[Day Two]
After installing extensions that were highly recommended and throwing some themes on, I began work on getting Python 3.4.3 and LUA 5. Something running, and now they're all good to go , I've been trying to find something to program in, I'm trying Sublime Text but I'm not paying for it. So I may try Vim or the editor that is already in Ubuntu Gnome 14.04.

I also got Java and Minecraft running, I don't play it anymore but I wanted to test a game and see how it still ran on the intel 3000 graphics. Don't worry I'll get Steam and few games going very soon!

More updates to come...

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Almost guarenteed that the wifi will not work.

I tried just about everything, eventually found the broadcom driver I was looking for, I'll try and find it when I can.

I'm sure someone with more Linux experience will be able to help you with that issue though.

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@Big_Al_Tech I used Software & Updates and downloaded the driver it recommended, ill test it soon...

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If my memory recalls correctly, the driver will work, but you will have an intermittent connection. Don't quote me on anything XD Been running Xubuntu on my 2011 MBP and its running like a champ. Just took some time.

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If you get the WiFi connection problems just use your phone on USB tethering mode. Charging phone + WiFi = win

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@gerkinyagerkin That's a good idea!

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@Big_Al_Tech yeah the driver I tried didn't work, I'll do some digging tomorrow

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Hey i've done almost the same to my brother's 2011 Macbook Pro. I installed Ubuntu+Xfce on it around 6months ago. He's been pretty happy with it so far

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Did you get wifi working?

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Yeah i did by using an ethernet cable and going to the additional drivers part of software & updates (if i can remember correctly) I did have a problem with the fan not working but that was actually my own mistake because when i opened the macbook to change the hard drive i must have accidentally touched the fan connector which came loose

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Hmm I did the same with the software and additional drivers and it still doesn't work.

Might have to uninstall it and reinstall it