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<h1 id="linux-mint-macbook-air-setup">Linux Mint MacBook Air Setup</h1>
<p>2020-08-16</p>
<p>I don’t like the idea of throwing away old or outdated tech (within reason), so I try to find a new purpose for some of my “retired” devices. This article will cover how to switch over a mid-2011 model MacBook Air to utilize Linux Mint.</p>
<p><strong>Important</strong>: This setup will completely wipe your existing disk and create a fresh install of Linux Mint on the SSD. You have been warned.</p>
<h2 id="the-specs">The Specs</h2>
<p>My old MacBook Air has a pretty decent spec sheet:</p>
<ul>
<li>Processor: <strong>1.7GHz dual-core Intel Core i5</strong></li>
<li>Memory: <strong>4GB of 1333MHz DDR3</strong></li>
<li>Graphics: <strong>Advanced Intel HD Graphics 3000</strong></li>
<li>SSD: <strong>128 GB</strong></li>
</ul>
<p>And let’s take a look at the basic system requirements Linux Mint suggests:</p>
<ul>
<li>2GB RAM</li>
<li>Dual Core Processor</li>
<li>20GB free disk space</li>
</ul>
<p>We are looking pretty good!</p>
<h2 id="step-1-download-linux-mint">Step 1: Download Linux Mint</h2>
<p>For this setup we will be using the latest, stable version (at this time of writing) of Linux Mint 20 “Ulyana” - Xfce which is 20. You can download the necessary files here: </p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.linuxmint.com/edition.php?id=283">Linux Mint 20 “Ulyana” - Xfce</a> [1.8GB]</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="step-2-flash-linux-mint-to-usb-stick">Step 2: Flash Linux Mint to USB Stick</h2>
<p>Next we just need to flash the Linux Mint OS to a USB storage device. If you need to purchase some, you can easily find them on Amazon (affliate link):</p>
<ul>
<li><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JB3NXIS/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00JB3NXIS&linkCode=as2&tag=uglyduck-20&linkId=494f4c1dd4e21782ecb865bcaa5a526b">Kootion 10 Pack 4GB Flash Drive 4gb USB 2.0 Flash Drives Keychain USB Drive Bulk Thumb Drive Swivel Memory Stick Black</a></p></li>
<li><p>Download <a href="https://www.balena.io/etcher/">Balena Etcher</a> for your current operating system</p></li>
<li><p>Run the installer</p></li>
</ul>
<p>Once installed, open Etcher do the following:</p>
<ol>
<li>Select your downloaded Linux Mint ISO file</li>
<li>Select your USB stick/device as the media</li>
<li>Flash media</li>
<li>???</li>
<li>Profit!!</li>
</ol>
<h2 id="step-3-boot-from-usb">Step 3: Boot from USB</h2>
<ul>
<li>Make sure your Macbook Air is turned off</li>
<li>Plug your newly flashed USB stick into the MacBook Air</li>
<li>Turn on the MacBook Air</li>
<li>Immediately hold down the <strong>alt/option</strong> button (keep holding until the prompt screen is visible)</li>
<li>You will be shown drive “icons” - you want to select your USB drive (normally the far right icon)</li>
<li>Press <strong>Enter</strong></li>
<li>Select the first item in the list that appears “Start Linux Mint”</li>
</ul>
<p>After this you will boot into a “live session” of the Linux Mint operating system.</p>
<h2 id="step-4-installing-linux-mint">Step 4: Installing Linux Mint</h2>
<p>Linux Mint makes it very easy for you to install it’s OS step-by-step (similar to most other Linux distros). Simply <strong>double-click</strong> on the “Install Linux Mint” CD icon on the main desktop.</p>
<ul>
<li>Choose your language. then hit <strong>Continue</strong></li>
<li>Select your preferred keyboard layout, then hit <strong>Continue</strong></li>
<li><em>Optional</em>: You might be asked to connect to a WiFi network, if you are set it up now</li>
<li>I would suggest downloading the multimedia codecs to make things easier, then hit <strong>Continue</strong></li>
<li>For installation type, select “Erase disk and install Linux Mint”, then hit <strong>Continue</strong>
<ul>
<li>WARNING: This will wipe your current drive completely - make sure you are okay with this!</li>
</ul></li>
<li>It will issue you with a warning prompt, simply click <strong>Continue</strong></li>
<li>Select your timezone, then hit <strong>Continue</strong></li>
<li>Enter your name, a username, a name for your computer, and set a password (you will use this to login moving forward)</li>
<li>Wait for the installation to complete</li>
<li>Once complete, you will be prompted to <strong>reboot your system</strong></li>
<li>After a reboot you will be prompted to remove the USB device and then press <strong>Enter</strong></li>
<li>Welcome to Linux Mint!</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="conclusion">Conclusion</h2>
<p>Linux Mint is not only a great operating system, but it is also an excellent starting point for newcomers to Linux in general. It’s stable enough to be used as a daily driver and popular enough that most minor issues can be solved with a quick internet search.</p>
<p>Hopefully this inspires others to try “recycling” their older Apple products instead of tossing them away or having them collect dust.</p>
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