Installing ZorinOS on MacBook Pro 2012 vs Ubuntu Mate
This part of the blog post details my experience installing ZorinOS on MacBook Pro 2012 versus Ubuntu Mate, including some of challenges faced and how I overcame them. In the world of Linux distributions, ZorinOS stands out as a user-friendly and visually appealing operating system. It’s especially appealing to those transitioning from Windows or macOS, thanks to its familiar interface. Ubuntu Mate is a flavour of Ubuntu that I have come to like and admire.
How do the two compare in terms of ease of installation and configuration, maintenance, updates, and performance? Read below to learn more.
Installing ZorinOS on Macbook Pro 2012
First Steps Before beginning the installation process, it’s crucial to back up any important data on your MacBook. The installation process will erase everything on your hard drive. I used Time Machine to back up my files to an external hard drive.
Next, I downloaded the ZorinOS ISO file from the official website. I chose the Core version, which is free and comes with all the essential features. After downloading the ISO file, I used Etcher to create a bootable USB.
You can view more images from installation of ZorinOS on MacBook Pro 2012 Retina by visiting this page.
Booting from USB
Booting from the USB on a MacBook is slightly different than on a PC. After restarting the MacBook, I held down the Option key until the Startup Manager appeared. From there, I selected the USB drive.
Installation Process of ZorinOS
The installation process was straightforward. I chose the “Erase disk and install Zorin” option to install ZorinOS on the entire hard drive. After the installation, I restarted the MacBook and removed the USB drive.
Challenges and Solutions
Wi-Fi Not Working
After the installation, I noticed that the Wi-Fi was not working. This is a common issue with Linux on MacBooks due to proprietary drivers. To fix this, I connected to the internet using an Ethernet cable and installed the bcmwl-kernel-source package using the terminal:
$ sudo apt-get update
$ sudo apt-get install bcmwl-kernel-source
After a restart, the Wi-Fi was working well. Note that I am looking to disable the wifi completely, and use a USB adapter.
Trackpad Issues
Note: I have not experienced this issue, but posting the below for benefit of others.
Some users mentioned facing issues with the trackpad. As per their reports, the scrolling was not as smooth as on macOS, and some multi-touch gestures were not working. This can be fixed by installing the mtrack driver.
$ sudo apt-get install xserver-xorg-input-mtrack
Then, I edited the /usr/share/X11/xorg.conf.d/50-mtrack.conf file to fine-tune the trackpad settings.
Installing Ubuntu Mate on Macbook Pro 2012
First Steps Before beginning the installation process, it’s crucial to back up any important data on your MacBook. The installation process will erase everything on your hard drive. I used Time Machine to back up my files to an external hard drive.
Next, I downloaded the Ubuntu Mate ISO file from the official website. I chose the latest version, which comes with all the essential features. After downloading the ISO file, I used Etcher to create a bootable USB.
Booting from USB
Booting from the USB on a MacBook is slightly different than on a PC. After restarting the MacBook, I held down the Option key until the Startup Manager appeared. From there, I selected the USB drive.
Installation Process of Ubuntu Mate
The installation process was straightforward. I chose the “Erase disk and install Ubuntu” option to install Ubuntu Mate on the entire hard drive. After the installation, I restarted the MacBook and removed the USB drive.
Comparison of ZorinOS and Ubuntu Mate
Both ZorinOS and Ubuntu Mate are user-friendly and visually appealing operating systems. However, there are some differences in terms of ease of installation and configuration, maintenance, updates, and performance.
ZorinOS is more user-friendly and has a more familiar interface, making it easier for those transitioning from Windows or macOS. Ubuntu Mate, on the other hand, is more customizable and has a wider range of software available.
Conclusion
In conclusion, both ZorinOS and Ubuntu Mate are excellent options for those looking to install a Linux distribution on their MacBook Pro 2012. While ZorinOS is more user-friendly and has a more familiar interface, Ubuntu Mate is more customizable and has a wider range of software available.
Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on your personal preferences and needs.