Jump to content

Will Macbook Pro boot Linux from usb

907rider
 Share
Posted

Hey all! I have a Macbook pro that I need to run Ubuntu on for one of my college classes.  I have run Ubuntu before and am not worried about how to install on the external HDD.  I already have the 512gb ssd dual partitioned, for Windows 7 and the mac OS, so I don't want to shrink my partitions down any smaller.  

 

My idea was to go buy a 1Tb USB 3.0 hard drive and install Ubuntu to that. Buuuut then I heard that some Macbook Pro's have trouble booting from USB..... Any info?

 

Thank you in advance!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

Hey all! I have a Macbook pro that I need to run Ubuntu on for one of my college classes.  I have run Ubuntu before and am not worried about how to install on the external HDD.  I already have the 512gb ssd dual partitioned, for Windows 7 and the mac OS, so I don't want to shrink my partitions down any smaller.  

 

My idea was to go buy a 1Tb USB 3.0 hard drive and install Ubuntu to that. Buuuut then I head that some Macbook Pro's have trouble booting from USB..... Any info?

 

Thank you in advance!

 

You could also just run it as a VM. No risk and easy to get rid of when you are done:

 

http://osxdaily.com/2012/03/27/install-run-ubuntu-linux-virtualbox/

D3SL91 | Ethan | Gaming+Work System | NAS System | Photo: Nikon D750 + D5200

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

Hey all! I have a Macbook pro that I need to run Ubuntu on for one of my college classes.  I have run Ubuntu before and am not worried about how to install on the external HDD.  I already have the 512gb ssd dual partitioned, for Windows 7 and the mac OS, so I don't want to shrink my partitions down any smaller.  

 

My idea was to go buy a 1Tb USB 3.0 hard drive and install Ubuntu to that. Buuuut then I head that some Macbook Pro's have trouble booting from USB..... Any info?

 

Thank you in advance!

I tried putting Ubuntu on mine, however, it wouldnt load into the software. You may be able to get it to work, but I never could.

My arsenal: i7-9700k Gaming Rig, an iPhone, and Stupidity.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

Macs will boot from USB as long as you use the correct software to burn the ISO.  Unfortunately this is a somewhat rare endeavor therefore tried and true distros are limited in amount.  One tool I have used is the Mac Linux USB Loader (https://sevenbits.github.io/Mac-Linux-USB-Loader/) and you can download working isos from the application itself and burn them easily.  Hope this helps!

My life is consumed by CS:GO, even though I'm not exceptionally good at it.

CPU: AMD A10-5800K | GPU: Gigabyte R9 270 2GB | RAM: 8GB 1333Mhz HyperX Blu | Storage: 120GB Samsung 850 EVO + 1TB WD Caviar Blue | Chassis: NZXT H230 | Mobo: Gigabyte GA-F2A88XM-HD3 | PSU: Corsair CX500 500W | Cooling: CM Hyper 212 EVO | OS: Windows 10
In order of priority: GTX 970 Strix, 2 good 1080p monitors, i5 4690k, MSI Z97 Gaming 5 LGA 1150, a job
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

I tried putting Ubuntu on mine, however, it wouldnt load into the software. You may be able to get it to work, but I never could.

This happened to me too, but I tried it again on a different tower and a different distro and it managed to work.

My life is consumed by CS:GO, even though I'm not exceptionally good at it.

CPU: AMD A10-5800K | GPU: Gigabyte R9 270 2GB | RAM: 8GB 1333Mhz HyperX Blu | Storage: 120GB Samsung 850 EVO + 1TB WD Caviar Blue | Chassis: NZXT H230 | Mobo: Gigabyte GA-F2A88XM-HD3 | PSU: Corsair CX500 500W | Cooling: CM Hyper 212 EVO | OS: Windows 10
In order of priority: GTX 970 Strix, 2 good 1080p monitors, i5 4690k, MSI Z97 Gaming 5 LGA 1150, a job
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

Hey all! I have a Macbook pro that I need to run Ubuntu on for one of my college classes.  I have run Ubuntu before and am not worried about how to install on the external HDD.  I already have the 512gb ssd dual partitioned, for Windows 7 and the mac OS, so I don't want to shrink my partitions down any smaller.  

 

My idea was to go buy a 1Tb USB 3.0 hard drive and install Ubuntu to that. Buuuut then I head that some Macbook Pro's have trouble booting from USB..... Any info?

 

Thank you in advance!

Absolutely :)

 

Check Profile if you don't believe me :P

 

 

PEOPLE SEEM TO BE CLUELESS ON HOW TO BOOT FROM USB ON MAC; DO YOU WANT A GUIDE? :P

Want a good game to play?  Check out Shadowrun: http://store.steampowered.com/app/300550/ (runs on literally any hardware)

 

another 12 core / 24 thread senpai...     (/. _ .)/     \(. _ .\)

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

Macs will boot from USB as long as you use the correct software to burn the ISO.  Unfortunately this is a somewhat rare endeavor therefore tried and true distros are limited in amount.  One tool I have used is the Mac Linux USB Loader (https://sevenbits.github.io/Mac-Linux-USB-Loader/) and you can download working isos from the application itself and burn them easily.  Hope this helps!

-snip-

Want a good game to play?  Check out Shadowrun: http://store.steampowered.com/app/300550/ (runs on literally any hardware)

 

another 12 core / 24 thread senpai...     (/. _ .)/     \(. _ .\)

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

Yes, it is possible.

 

That is what i do for work. We were all given an iMac, but i cant stand the Mac OS. So i installed Ubuntu to an external drive and it works great.

 

To choose the boot device, just hold "ALT" when booting.

~Judah

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted (edited)

PEOPLE SEEM TO BE CLUELESS ON HOW TO BOOT FROM USB ON MAC; DO YOU WANT A GUIDE? :P

 

Yes, please. I've always had trouble with this. Guess I'm just used to having an easy way to control boot order through UEFI/BIOS.

 

Wow. I'm dumb and blind.

Edited by KERNAL_KRUPTKEY

--KERNAL_KRUPTKEY

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

Not sure how much luck you will have installing an OS on an external hard drive but here are some resources:

 

http://www.ubuntu.com/download/desktop/create-a-usb-stick-on-mac-osx

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT1310

http://www.howtogeek.com/187410/how-to-install-and-dual-boot-linux-on-a-mac/

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted
  • Author

Thanks for all the input guys!!

 

So, I just went ahead and installed Ubuntu onto my external hard drive using a bootable usb, I then plugged the external HDD into the mac and held the "option" button on startup.  It allows me to select which OS I want to boot too, I can boot to Ubuntu with no problems.  Oddly on boot my mac calls it "Windows" and it is the yellow icon on the furthest right.

 

The only issue that I have is that the wireless adapter inside my mac is not working with Ubuntu.  I have figured out how to solve this issue and I am on it now.

 

IMG_1099_zpsn7malmig.jpg

 

IMG_1097_zpsqpprgva2.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

  Oddly on boot my mac calls it "Windows" and it is the yellow icon on the furthest right.

 

 

Yep it does that... IDK

Want a good game to play?  Check out Shadowrun: http://store.steampowered.com/app/300550/ (runs on literally any hardware)

 

another 12 core / 24 thread senpai...     (/. _ .)/     \(. _ .\)

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

Oddly on boot my mac calls it "Windows" and it is the yellow icon on the furthest right.

 

Im not sure why it does that. It does it on my iMac at work as well.

 

I think it just looks at the OS long enough to know its not Mac, and just assumes it is Windows.

~Judah

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing Linux, macOS and Everything Not-Windows

×