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Thread: How do I replace Mac OS with Ubuntu

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Oct 2011
    Beans
    54

    Question How do I replace Mac OS with Ubuntu

    I have Ubuntu 13.xx on a PC, and I'm seriously considering putting it onto my iMac. Will Ubuntu install on a Mac the same way it does on a PC? Or will I have to do something differently.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2012
    Location
    United Kingdom
    Beans
    93
    Distro
    Ubuntu Mate 16.04 Xenial Xerus

    Re: How do I replace Mac OS with Ubuntu

    Welcome to the community forums! I don't have an Apple Mac myself but I do know you will need some software called BootCamp for dual-booting. This allows you to boot your Mac between OS X and another OS like Ubuntu. This procedure can vary depending on your model.

    I have come across this resource which I think will help you:
    https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Ma...elInstallation

    In particular the "Single Boot: Ubuntu Only" part of the guide.

    It's also pointed out that it's recommended to keep a copy of Mac OS X in case of a problem, firmware update or if you decide to switch back.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Beans
    2,336
    Distro
    Ubuntu

    Re: How do I replace Mac OS with Ubuntu

    While you can install and run Ubuntu via Bootcamp, it isn't necessary and probably just adds more things that could go wrong. The drivers supplied in Bootcamp are for Windows and won't help at all in Ubuntu.

    OS X boots in EFI mode. The machine has no BIOS. Ubuntu offers a Mac install image that uses EFI mode, plus an image that uses a BIOS compatibility mode, as does Bootcamp.

    The latter is often easier to install, but if the machine has two video chips, like MacBooks, an EFI install may be needed before the kernel recognizes both.

    Fan control, as in the fans run maxed out all the time, is often an issue.

    Before you try it, check for tutorials, especially those for your specific iMac model. That's listed in About This Mac.

    Finally, shrinking the OS X partition and installing Ubuntu may be preferrable to removing OS X. If nothing else, you can't do firmware updates in Ubuntu.

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