Refurbishing an A1278 Mac Book Pro’s (OSX or Ubuntu)

[Douglas Ng]

Dear All:

I have another question about refurbishing an older computer.

Once again, as context, we are an NGO refurbisher based on Hong Kong. Our computers are distributed free of charge to disadvantaged individuals in Hong Kong as well as to schools in Africa. In both case, the objective is for individuals who would otherwise not have a computer to learn basic computer skills.

The computers in question are A1278 MacBook Pro’s with 2.4 Core 2 Duo processors, 4GB memory. Our assumption was just to deploy them with the latest OSX it would take (High Sierra). We have a school group helping us with the refurbishment and some of the students there and their teacher think we should consider deploying with Ubuntu. Their reasoning is that an older OS X may not support some applications. Appreciate any perspectives the group can share.

Best regards,
Doug

[John Bumstead]

I haven't found Linux to work particularly well on Macs, and you generally end up with various small issues that lead to the machine not being usable for average end-users, not to mention that Linux on a Mac significantly degrades its financial value because it's not what consumers expect.  If you do try it, definitely use models with EFI firmware (2010-ish), because the previous boot loaders were awful and require unreliable 3rd party hacks that are not worth your time.

High Sierra was current just a few months ago, and I don't think you're going to run into serious software compatibility issues for 2-3 years.  I sell thousands of machines with Yosemite and El Capitan (2-3 generations back from High Sierra) and for the most part users are just fine.  Honestly the Core 2 Duo processor and GPU will be a bottleneck before the OS is.  And especially since Mac OS is free and readily available, I'd strongly advise going that direction.

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[Phil Shapiro]

Douglas, you've asked a very interesting question.  Here is my own perspective on this -- speaking as a longtime Apple enthusiast who has shifted over to Linux

in recent years.

        I think there can be good reasons for distributing MacBook Pro's with macOS on them.  GarageBand, for example, can be a very fun first use of computers.

          On the flip side, there can be very compelling reasons to install Linux on those MacBook Pro's. If the recipient students develop a familiarity with Linux, they will

be well positioned to use donated non-Apple laptops (or desktops) outfitted with Linux. Chances are high that future computer donations to your NGO might be non-Apple rather than Apple.

          Also, Linux familiarity will give the students an advantage if and when they start exploring the Raspberry Pi and other homebrew electronics projects. For example, they might build their

own "Trivia Vending Machine" -- that looks and works like this, but on a smaller scale.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6gs8NtXPIk

            Lastly, my hunch is that Apple will be discontinuing macOS sometime in the next few years. Mac computers makes up a smaller and smaller percentage of that company's overall income.

I can well recall when Apple discontinued the Apple II line of computers -- back in 1993.  One day, they just said - "We're done making Apple II computers." 

            For that matter, Windows itself might have less than ten years left in its life.  Microsoft is moving step by step in the direction of open source and Linux.  So, in terms of giving students

general skills that will prepare them for many different scenarios in the future, Linux might make the most sense.

              That said, if I were in your shoes I might send out half the Mac laptops with macOS on them -- and half with Linux on them.  Students exposed to multiple operating systems may receive

the greatest benefit of all -- obtaining the kind of flexible thinking that will serve them well for whatever computers they might encounter in their future. Thankfully, LibreOffice works on all

major platforms -- so that can be a constant, familiar tool for students to master.

                                  phil

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From: "Douglas Ng" <doug...@gmail.com>
To: "refurbishers" <refurb...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Thursday, March 7, 2019 10:37:45 AM
Subject: [Refurbishers List] Refurbishing an A1278 Mac Book Pro’s (OSX or Ubuntu)

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[Charles M]

John do you know what the cut off is for the Macbooks that couldn't
network install? (2011?)

Charles McColm
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[John Bumstead]

Internet recovery mode (option-command-R)?  You basically just need EFI firmware, so 2009-2010ish.  There is a grey area, because around that time period there were machines that didn't have it but could do a firmware upgrade to get it.

To determine if you have it or not, power on holding down the option key...if you see a WIFI login box below the icons representing bootable options, then you have it, and if you don't see a WIFI box, you don't.

[Charles M]

Thanks John, we were putting Linux on these for quite a long time. We tried with some 10.6 discs that came in but software was pretty dated. We will probably continue on the Linux route for older machines and OS X for the newer ones. That wifi box tip is a nice quick way to determine the split, so thanks for that.