My 2009 Mini has 8 GB of RAM and it runs Ubuntu 20 really well, so I would recommend trying out Ubuntu.
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Operating Systems for Early Intel Macs
- Thread starter MysticCow
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There's is a utility-app that to tinker with advanced settings - especially helpful to reduce graphic-effects to a mininmum. Sorry, but I can't remember the name, but I used it to speed up performance for Ubuntu in a Virtual-machine.
There's one option Windows 2k up to 10 is offerering with continuity which I do have to praise: the inbuilt option to switch off all unnessessary graphical effects etc in order to maximise speed and performance. For OSX, there's Onyx.
I wish there was an easy option for Ubuntu too, since on slow machines, in a Virtual Machine or during a Remote Desktop session it is real PITA, when these graphical effects unbearably slow down Ubuntu's performance (e.g. if minimizing a window is ending up in a cascade of windows, that are slowly getting smaller and smaller...)
I'm leaning more toward Lubuntu, since it isn't as resource-heavy. I'd like for him to be able to get into WINE to at least play WoW Classic with me and I fear the total cost of a heavier Ubuntu AND WINE libraries.
I’ve used Linux mint and found it very responsive in its out of the box form, once I started adding stuff to make it look like Mac os it started to get lumpy. It would be great if you just wanted to keep an old Mac useable though.
"Ubuntu Cinnamon is now part of the Ubuntu flavor family."
https://ubuntucinnamon.org/ubuntu-cinnamon-flavor-status-announcement/
"Ubuntu Cinnamon takes an Ubuntu-base and layers the GTK-based Cinnamon desktop environment over it. The result is Ubuntu Cinnamon, a mid-weight Linux distro ideal for those seeking a more traditional interface to computing:"
https://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2023/03/ubuntu-cinnamon-new-official-flavor
https://ubuntucinnamon.org/ubuntu-cinnamon-flavor-status-announcement/
"Ubuntu Cinnamon takes an Ubuntu-base and layers the GTK-based Cinnamon desktop environment over it. The result is Ubuntu Cinnamon, a mid-weight Linux distro ideal for those seeking a more traditional interface to computing:"
https://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2023/03/ubuntu-cinnamon-new-official-flavor
I have found from experience, several ways to install OSX, I have myself found that OSX can ask for an internet connection. This depends on the version of OSX that you are installing and it will ask for you Apple ID.
The approach that I have found is to get a HDD that I know is ok and the use disk utility and to select the HDD and to restore the DMG to the drive. IT does come up with an error but just ignore it.
With Lion you have to extract the contents form the DMG and then restore the PKG to the HDD.
Switch on the mac while holding down the ALT key.
I wanted to upgrade the OS even further using Pike's Tool but it destroyed Lion instead of allowing me to reboot and upgrade.
I recommend that anyone trying this method and wanting to upgrade further that you first make a clone of the HDD then if you experience problems you are at least not left with a Mac without an OS.
Here is the latest list of what we an download.
support.apple.com
Ventura 13
Monterey 12
Big Sur 11
Catalina 10.15
Mojave 10.14
High Sierra 10.13
Sierra 10.12
El Capitan 10.11
Yosemite 10.10
Mountain Lion 10.8
Lion 10.7
The approach that I have found is to get a HDD that I know is ok and the use disk utility and to select the HDD and to restore the DMG to the drive. IT does come up with an error but just ignore it.
With Lion you have to extract the contents form the DMG and then restore the PKG to the HDD.
Switch on the mac while holding down the ALT key.
I wanted to upgrade the OS even further using Pike's Tool but it destroyed Lion instead of allowing me to reboot and upgrade.
I recommend that anyone trying this method and wanting to upgrade further that you first make a clone of the HDD then if you experience problems you are at least not left with a Mac without an OS.
Here is the latest list of what we an download.
How to download and install macOS – Apple Support (UK)
Download and install current or previous versions of the Mac operating system on compatible Mac computers.
Ventura 13
Monterey 12
Big Sur 11
Catalina 10.15
Mojave 10.14
High Sierra 10.13
- Click the link to open the App Store page for that macOS.
- In the App Store, click the Get button to start downloading the macOS installer.
- After downloading to your Applications folder, the installer will open automatically. Follow the onscreen instructions to install macOS.
Sierra 10.12
El Capitan 10.11
Yosemite 10.10
Mountain Lion 10.8
Lion 10.7
- Click the link to download a disk image (.dmg) file for that macOS.
- Double-click the .dmg file to open it and see the .pkg file within.
- Double-click the .pkg file, then follow the onscreen instructions. This will install the macOS installer into your Applications folder.
- Open your Applications folder and double-click the macOS installer, named Install [Version Name]. Follow the onscreen instructions to install macOS.
Ta sim. Wot mac or macs have you been installing to? Im assuming you are referring to un-supported macs..?I have found from experience, several ways to install OSX, I have myself found that OSX can ask for an internet connection. This depends on the version of OSX that you are installing and it will ask for you Apple ID.
The approach that I have found is to get a HDD that I know is ok and the use disk utility and to select the HDD and to restore the DMG to the drive. IT does come up with an error but just ignore it.
With Lion you have to extract the contents form the DMG and then restore the PKG to the HDD.
Switch on the mac while holding down the ALT key.
I wanted to upgrade the OS even further using Pike's Tool but it destroyed Lion instead of allowing me to reboot and upgrade.
I recommend that anyone trying this method and wanting to upgrade further that you first make a clone of the HDD then if you experience problems you are at least not left with a Mac without an OS.
Here is the latest list of what we an download.
How to download and install macOS – Apple Support (UK)
Download and install current or previous versions of the Mac operating system on compatible Mac computers.
Ventura 13
Monterey 12
Big Sur 11
Catalina 10.15
Mojave 10.14
High Sierra 10.13
- Click the link to open the App Store page for that macOS.
- In the App Store, click the Get button to start downloading the macOS installer.
- After downloading to your Applications folder, the installer will open automatically. Follow the onscreen instructions to install macOS.
Sierra 10.12
El Capitan 10.11
Yosemite 10.10
Mountain Lion 10.8
Lion 10.7
- Click the link to download a disk image (.dmg) file for that macOS.
- Double-click the .dmg file to open it and see the .pkg file within.
- Double-click the .pkg file, then follow the onscreen instructions. This will install the macOS installer into your Applications folder.
- Open your Applications folder and double-click the macOS installer, named Install [Version Name]. Follow the onscreen instructions to install macOS.
I have a Mac Pro 1.1 with upgraded firmware to 2.1. Apple does not recognise the serial number to the Mac Pro so unless you change it you cannot download any version of OSX directly to that Mac. A manual download is required and then what ever method to install. But during installation, like as been said you can still be asked for you Apple ID.