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Install Ubuntu 20.04 LTS on MacBookPro14,1

victorleungtw.com

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Re: Install Ubuntu 20.04 LTS on MacBookPro14,1

#4
post #3

What year’s release is a “MacBookPro14,1”?

Note that it is an identifier, the number indicates a generation, not a screen size. The answer is MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports):

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201300

This is a model without Apple T2, which probably simplifies Linux support.

Re: Install Ubuntu 20.04 LTS on MacBookPro14,1

#6
I used MacBooks with Linux starting in 2006 till the end of last year. That's when I finally gave up. I really love the hardware Apple produces, but we're at a point where I believe it's not feasible anymore to use Linux on MacBooks.

For the MacBook Pros 2016 and up I put significant effort into trying to get mainline Linux running as smoothly as possible by documenting and coordinating the efforts to have drivers for all internal devices [1], but just have a look where we're at over three years later: Audio doesn't work properly, Wifi does neither (expect for the non-TouchBar models, like the one the OP uses), hibernation is still somewhat broken and let's not even start talking about the advanced abilities of the TouchBar or support for TouchId. I could go on.

Models with T2 chip (2018 and up) are even worse in some regards and I believe it won't get better anymore. Next year we might see MacBooks with custom ARM SoCs and that's where I expect the driver situation will get even more dire. As Apple continuous to use more and more custom designed components, the effort for proper Linux drivers for such hardware only increases.

Most of these problems could be easily solved if Apple would simply make documentation for their hardware available. There are lots of great people passionate about running Linux on Macs out there, but reverse-engineering the hardware is what makes it really complicated to produce robust drivers for it.

I sincerely hope my predictions are wrong and Linux will still go strong on Macs in future as well, but for the time being I'm done with Macs.

[1]: https://github.com/Dunedan/mbp-2016-linux

Re: Install Ubuntu 20.04 LTS on MacBookPro14,1

#8
post #2

Do you know of a way to get OSX key bindings on Ubuntu?

There are many ways. I honestly don’t type enough in Linux on my Mac to need that but Kinto looks like it does what you want, is reversible, is per application configurable, and is aware of cursor/caret state.

https://github.com/rbreaves/kinto

Re: Install Ubuntu 20.04 LTS on MacBookPro14,1

#10
post #5

Are these fixes experimental? There must be a reason why they aren't in the main distribution.

I did a quick peek at the patches the OP is referring to, the code seems definitely experimental (no hard feelings towards the authors though!).

As far as I am aware of how the Linux kernel is structured, these patches would have to be submitted as BSP 'quirks'. Most of the ICs (such as the audio IC) that Apple used are standard components with Linux drivers available, but Apple often uses different pinouts or configurations requiring modified (patched) drivers to make them work.

In the current state I don't think the patches meet Linus's quality standards to be accepted into the kernel, but it shouldn't be too hard to polish that up.

Should be a fun project to work on of you are looking at contributing to the Linux kernel. You'll need basic knowledge of electronics and embedded systems, but it shouldn't be that hard. Judging from Louis Rossman's youtube channel the schematics for each Macbook board should be available.

Heck, now that I think of it: I would like to give it a try, if only I had a Macbook available to do this with.

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