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Currently trying to reset and reboot a 10 year old MacBook Pro. Will try to use dual boot with #Linux on this device later on. At the same time I am using a brandnew Macbook from 2025 with a new Apple user . (Promisimg to leave Apple feels like just another New Year’s resolution. Bad old habits..)

I am not a system hacker and I have never used Linux before. However, the events of the last 3 years force even average users to better take care of personal security, privacy and online hygiene.

Simple steps in my journey include:

- to minimize or even eliminate Google Services of any kind

- to minimize Apple services. Apple is still leading on design and UX, however privacy is a serious concern. Many users won’t give up convenience for some lack of privacy

- get in touch with new solutions outside big tech suite universe (only office, libre office etc. instead of MS Office/ Veracrypt instead of proprietary encryption solutions from big tech/ open source local password managers/ clearing your iCloud with lots tons of data that is more than a decade old for more privacy focused cloud solutions is very tough and a challenge for the majority, self hosting almost impossible to achieve for the average joe

- get used to TOR and VPN basics

- give up your iphone for a pixel phone running on grapheneOS? I am still struggling with that one…

For some strange reason the new Macbook still feels like a brandnew Mercedes when compared to Windows machines. Amazing that I have been using the old Mac Book Pro Machine since 2015 without any issues (try that with a Win Computer.. ) until I bumped into the problem where you cannot update iOS anymore. Many tell me that Ubuntu loves old Mac Devices.

Let`s see about that. If Apple asks what happened to my unconditional brand loyalty, I will tell them I was moving on to other things. I will try to clean up the screen from the old Mac, looks like a mess compared to the new one on the right..

What are your experiences as a former Apple User? Special thanks goes to Timo Volkov.

#nostr

#bitcoin

#security

#winstonsmith

#edwardsnowden

#privacy

#linux

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Discussion

tuco 3d ago

I believe macOS has cooler UNIX environment than Linux. Also brew works really nice as a package manager.

M2 or superior runs VMs quite decently. So you can have the best of both worlds

Kräftig 3d ago

I run ubuntu on that same first Gen retina display MBP. Not my daily driver, but it works well. It's an always on laptop and the only issue I run into is the wifi will stop working every couple of weeks. Idk if it's an OS issue on just the physical wifi in the laptop slowly dying.

I think it's a great move for any old Mac laptops that stopped getting updates since their hardware is usually still superior than other laptops that old.

Momo 3d ago

I greatly support the idea. If you have any other machine that you can use for everyday use, you can turn this one into a Linux-only machine. Instead of Ubuntu, I’d recommend Linux Mint which is very similar in user-friendliness, but also closer to us in philosophy.

Or, as some other people here recommended, you can install Linux on a VM on the same machine. But if you have a newer machine for everyday use, I’d recommend running Linux Mint only on this one.

Momo 3d ago

I need to add, for the use-case that you have in mind (I have similar goals too), a NAS is highly recommended.

What I use is openmediavault, which is a Debian-based Linux just like Ubuntu and Linux Mint. What you run there are some services, including containers, and that is where you can run services that simulate centralized corps, such as Apple and Google. Here's a list:

- NextCloud: Google Drive

- OnlyOffice: A companion for NextCloud to view and edit your Word documents and spreadsheets

- PhotoPrism: iPhotos

- Audiobookshelf for Audible, Amazon Books, and even podcasts

- Jellyfin: Netflix, Apple Music/Spotify (my top favorite, which was the very first thing I installed!)

I'm still in the midst of my learning experience, but in the far future, when I feel very comfortable with them, I'ma make videos about them.

Though a NAS has a learning curve, the great news is that if you have had a Bitcoin node like Umbrel or StartOS, you are already way more prepared and have a good grasp of the concepts required for running a NAS.

John sati 3d ago

I bought myself a pixel 9 pro early oct, wipped it and installed graphene OS with different sandboxed profiles. Only issue is going for a sim or esim card which the latter option might be an issue to install after having installed Graphene OS (seems that installing an esim is recommended prior to installing Graphene OS)

accessibility to banking apps don’t work without (e)sim card. Besides that i still use my Iphone and Macbook pro but considering a privacy laptop like Librem 🤔

The_Mooner 3d ago

Nice, in one month i will start with Linux too. Also GrapheneOS and a new node/homeserver.

Gucky 3d ago

Me running Linux Mint on Macbook airs from 2011 (bookworm) and 2020 (mint). Runs perfect. Only the webcam doesn't work on the newer Mac, which is an advantage anyway.

Never MacOS again.

Jay 3d ago

Would you buy a MacBook just to put Linux on it? Is the hardware worth it?

I was considering it before, but went with a Dell instead.

Ryan 3d ago

I'll agree MacBooks are nice hardware. I still use a 2014 MBA running MX Linux for light tasks. It's on its 3rd battery replacement and it's running great. Intel variants are well supported by Linux. Install mbpfan daemon and you're good to go.

Jay 3d ago

I think the whole command vs control thing would mess with me but not too badly. I wish I could justify getting one just to try it out. But I don't really need another laptop 😬

Maybe a smol one 🤔

Ryan 3d ago

That's why I like the air. Small, fairly rugged with the all aluminum chassis. Good for throwing in a backpack if I need something on site for quick browsing or terminal access 👍

Jay 3d ago

Would you recommend a newer air or maybe a refurbished air from a few years ago? I'm completely unfamiliar with apple's lineup.

Ryan 3d ago

Any Intel based Air should work fine. You can even get ssd adapters to use regular nvme drives. I did that and got a 4x read, 2x write io boost.

Jay 3d ago

Thanks 🙏

Thats wild. Like you replace the SSD inside with nvme?

Ryan 3d ago

Yes, exactly.

Ryan 3d ago

Something like these. It's just a mechanical adapter that makes the pinouts compatible. Apple had their own special drive connector because they are a garbage company, and wanted to overcharge for storage. China to the rescue.

https://www.amazon.com/macbook-ssd-adapter/s?k=macbook+ssd+adapter

Ryan 3d ago

Newer models are all arm based and Linux options are not as good on those AFAIK

BankSith 3d ago

I am not a technical expert but I would never buy a refurnished device of any kind for privacy issues just to safe a few bucks. Any pre-used device is linked to a hardware ID.

Ryan 3d ago

On Linux command is just the super key. Ctrl is in a weird location, so I remap capslock to ctrl and it works out 👍

Jay 3d ago

I do the same actually. So it wouldn't really be a problem at all.

BankSith 3d ago

I misunderstood. I bot a new macbook to stay with apple in daily live. However even there I am using a new user and noch icloud anymore. Other providers such as Proton suite or others are pretty convenient. The 10 yr old macbook pro cannot be updated anymore, that is why I am using the old device with dual boot for linux based systems. I am actually unexperienced and moderately technical. So old device is for experiementing with new better privacy tech. The new Mac though is also necessary for my daily needs

BankSith 3d ago

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Su₿lime 2d ago

Great! Im doing the same thing. Step by step going fully open source and privacy focus setup

Will start seting up a linux mint laptop this year