Linux on a Macbook Pro?

How's it going guys, I own a mid 2009 Macbook Pro 5,5. I have been fishing around on the net for info on getting Linux on it. Everything I find is to dual boot with OSX or triple boot with windows and OSX. Is it possible to just run ONLY Linux on the Macbook Pro? I have been messing with Mint 17.2 Cinnamon for a couple of days and the wife really likes it and I wouldn't mind getting it setup on the Macbook Pro. I'm not concerned about a backup for it, as I recently upgraded it with an SSD and have the original HDD carefully put away in case anything happens.

Any help here would be appreciated, just wanted to know if dual boot is the only option or not.

Thanks

When you stick your linux mint disk in, just format the whole drive. It should not be any more difficult then that.

I just wanted to get more feedback because on the Ubuntu Wiki page there was a section about looking up your specific model Macbook Pro and only certain versions of Ubuntu were listed as compatible with certain models of MB Pro's. So was not sure if there was a similar situation with trying to install mint.

I don't understand why it wont be compatible. I mean, as long as you can find drivers for everything.

I guess I should rephrase my question then to ask: Who has successfully installed Linux on a Mac/Macbook Pro using it as they're primary and only OS?

I have installed it as the only OS on a 2009 imac and played around with it for a while. (I was using opensuse though)

The only complaint I ever hear about a macbook is that the battery indicator is far from accurate.

This issue with the battery indicator was only after going to Linux or both before and after?

only with linux

Ok thanks for the feedback. Might just give it a try in a bit.

Well it won't work. I get black and white strips across the screen when I try to boot from the USB with mint on it...........

Have Xubuntu running on mine, its a 2010, but getting the wifi to work is a common issue, Broadcom ... shudder....

But are you dual booting with Xubuntu or running it as your sole OS?

Only xubuntu

Can you explain how you managed that?

I went to install mint and no dice. Even if I run it to boot in compatibility mode I get a Zebra looking screen with black and white lines across from left to right everywhere......

Graphics driver is screwy most likely. Mmmm yea you have the 9400m, mines just running onboard hd3000. I'll check around, but yea, we are talking about two very different laptops.

I do appreciate it. All I have found so far is a wiki page for an older version of Ubuntu that is compatible with different model macbooks.

I would try out Xubuntu if you can, have had better luck with it for most nvidia gpu's. I'm by no means a linux expert, but it's one of the few that actually ended up working well.

Also may want to take a gander at this.

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/MacBookPro5-5/Precise

If that won't work here is how I got ubuntu to run on my macbook. I installed Ubuntu on another PC (on the hard drive you want to use) and then when I had it setup I put it in the macbook and turned on the power. It will take a bit longer because it's looking for OSX, but it will then give up and boot Linux. Linux can handle just about any hardware change (from my experience, even going from an intel based to AMD based). It could take a bit longer the first time because it's setting up all the drivers for the mac.

I have, see my reply below.

You think this would work for mint 17.2?

What if I cloned the drive of my laptop with Mint on it now to the SSD from the mac then installed it and powered on?