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What have you done with an early Intel recently?

JulianStaples said:
And here she is. ☺️ A £10 MacBook 6,1 all cleaned, upgraded and up and running. With a fresh blob of thermal paste on the processor, 6GB RAM, a slightly used SSD and a considerably more used replacement battery. Dual-booting Mavericks 10.9.5 (with the Mavericks Forever updates/tweaks!) and Lubuntu 25.10. Runs both OSes buttery smooth for browsing, YouTubing, iTunes-ing, writing and a bit of retro gaming. Not quite Apple Silicon levels of performance, but plenty enough for a general internetting device. 🙂

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The optical drive is reading disks again now that safety pin has been fished out. And the speakers are holding steady despite my incident with the connector wires during disassembly. Even looks like the 'new' battery will hold a couple of hours of charge, so I might take it for a walk down to my local coffee shop tomorrow. A lot of cosmetic dings, dents, cracks and scratches, but that’s just what happened to these beautiful white plastic MacBooks, sadly. 😢

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The only bit I’m not happy with is the base. I’ve managed to tape/glue the rubber back on to the metal frame, but as I said before, the rubber has clearly been stretched out of shape, so it’s very much not factory spec. I’ll keep an eye out on eBay for anyone selling off a replacement part for pennies, because she deserves better than a wonky superglued bottom. 😳 But it will do for now.

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And here’s the little plastic unibody MacBook family I now have. The repaired Late 2009 6,1 next to my Mid 2010 7,1 I got for £20 a couple of years back as a similar DIY fix-up project, currently running OCLP Sequoia with 16GB RAM and an SSD. 😱

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Looks great 🙂

I enjoy playing SMB with my boys on their a1225 imac.
 
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DCBassman said:
Astounded this morning to find an Apple update waiting to be installed - on a 2013 MBA running Big Sur! I checked and it's pukka, so it's now running 11.7.11!
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Certificate updates are apparently required for devices to continue using things like the Messages app past Jan 2027, and Apple has been pushing out updates, but AFAICT only for devices which can't be updated to a more current OS version. Your 2013 MBA running Big Sur fits into that category. People have also reported recent Catalina updates.

My OG iPhone SE was recently offered an update to IOS 15.8.6, which includes the certificate update (and probably nothing else). My iPhone 13 Mini, which currently runs IOS 18.7.3, wasn't offered an update - I'll have to install IOS 26 before January 2027 or Messages, Find My, and probably much else will stop working.

There's a discussion here (devices other than Apple Watches are also discussed).
 
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Grumpus said:
Certificate updates are apparently required for devices to continue using things like the Messages app past Jan 2027, and Apple has been pushing out updates, but AFAICT only for devices which can't be updated to a more current OS version. Your 2013 MBA running Big Sur fits into that category. People have also reported recent Catalina updates.

My OG iPhone SE was recently offered an update to IOS 15.8.6, which includes the certificate update (and probably nothing else). My iPhone 13 Mini, which currently runs IOS 18.7.3, wasn't offered an update - I'll have to install IOS 26 before January 2027 or Messages, Find My, and probably much else will stop working.

There's a discussion here (devices other than Apple Watches are also discussed).
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Indeed, my old iphone 6 and 6S both recently got updated, 12.5.8 and 15.7.7 respectively. iPad Mini 2 wasn't forgotten either!
 
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DCBassman said:
Astounded this morning to find an Apple update waiting to be installed - on a 2013 MBA running Big Sur! I checked and it's pukka, so it's now running 11.7.11!
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Wife told me today that her Mac Mini Server 2012 had crashed and rebooting takes for ages. I went to see and when it finally booted there was a announcement that an update has been installed - so not a crash but unexpected update. 😳 The machine is running Catalina. The version is now 10.15.8. 😘

Also my iPhone 8 installed an update yesterday for its IOS 16. It is 16.7.14 now.

It seems like there have been a bunch of security updates.

And my old iPhone 6 also has a new update available. Wow and even iPhone 5S!! 👍

Ps. I guess I need to start booting the semi modern part of my "collection" to see which ones are getting updates! 👍
 
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Certificate of Excellence said:
Looks great 🙂

I enjoy playing SMB with my boys on their a1225 imac.
Click to expand...

I hate to admit it, but I think my gaming skills peaked with SMB3. 😂

MacInTO said:
I got the full set! 😂

Actually, I don't. I bought the 23" ACD for $30 for the power supply for the 20" ACD which I got for free without a power supply. I don't currently have a need for so many monitors but if I come across a cheap power supply, I will jump on it and then I will create a use for the third ACD! 😝

These monitors require some serious cable management as there are four leads from each monitor and as well as the power cable. I also discovered that I really like the USB port on the rear of the monitors because I can plug in a keyboard there instead of the computer.

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These look great, good stuff! I have a 23" version I picked up last year, running with my Mac Pro 6,1. But I've never been able to get the USB ports on the monitor to recognise my mouse/keyboard. No idea if it has something to do with the Mac running OCLP Sequoia or just the ports themselves that no longer work, but it's a little annoying as the old Mighty Mouse I use with it has a very short cable and running it from the back of the monitor rather than the back of the Mac would be so much better. 🥲
 
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JulianStaples said:
I hate to admit it, but I think my gaming skills peaked with SMB3. 😂



These look great, good stuff! I have a 23" version I picked up last year, running with my Mac Pro 6,1. But I've never been able to get the USB ports on the monitor to recognise my mouse/keyboard. No idea if it has something to do with the Mac running OCLP Sequoia or just the ports themselves that no longer work, but it's a little annoying as the old Mighty Mouse I use with it has a very short cable and running it from the back of the monitor rather than the back of the Mac would be so much better. 🥲
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Thanks. I use Mojave. If you get a computer running a non-OCLP OS you can test it. I think the ports on the back of the monitor are powered. I tried them connected to the computer but with the power disconnected and they did not work.
 
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Attempting (and so far failing...) to OCLP the Macbook 7,1 2010 to Big Sur.

Also, Apple Cinema Display 20" A1081 Aluminium. Looking at picking one up, boxed, cheap, off Marketplace, but the video connector appears to be miniDP, not DVI. Will get it anyway, but does anyone have any insight into this slightly odd discrepancy?
 
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OK, here I am on the Macbook7,1 running Big Sur. Not exactly a tyre-burner, but usable. Probably only this good due to the 16GB of RAM.
 
I've just installed Mavericks with the Mavericks Forever script, Aqua Proxy and iTunes 11.4.
Trying to sign in for Home Sharing appears to work, it asks me to authorise the computer and then refuses to continue, telling me to update the latest version of iTunes 😞

Going to test AirPlay regardless. If it's more stable than 12.0.1 on 10.10, I'll have to make a decision which is more useful.
 
Back home to find an original Macbook 7,1 2010 10.6.4 install disc on the doormat. Looked a bit rough, but gave it a clean and stuck it in the machine. Off it happily went, and with nary a hitch, it's installed. Updating as we speak. Will have another go with Powerfox and also get hold of the iLife/iWork programs to go with it.
 
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I need to temper my spending on old MacBooks this year. 😂 Went a little crazy in 2025 in the discount section of eBay, ending up with everything from three A1181s (one now in storage in the original box, one dual booting Snow Leopard and Windows XP and one quad-booting four lightweight Linux distros off a 1TB HDD 😳), to a 17-inch MBP 4,1 in mint-ish condition, to a first gen McBook Air rocking the old iPod hard drive.

There's only really three more early Intel MacBook models I'd really like to add to my ridiculous collection if I'm honest (the list of Mac desktops I want is another story!):
  • A 15-inch A1226/A1260 as a little brother to the 17-inch 4,1.
  • A black A1181. Really hard to find a cheap enough one in reasonable condition.
  • A 15-inch non-Retina Mid-2012 MBP. Last of the properly upgradable MBPs. I have a 13-inch model (obvs), but I'd love to get the bigger brother fully upgraded and running OCLP. 😍
But that's it. Nothing more. Nope. Definitely not.

Probably.
 
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Bought a 1st gen iPad Mini on iOS 9.3.6 last weekend. Arrived yesterday. I'm using it to run an older version of Google Maps in my car for GPS/NAV. Works just fine.

Yesterday I used my 2011 MacBook Air running High Sierra to wipe and restore the iPad via iTunes. As this Mac is my current 'middle ground' between by older Intel stuff and my newer Intel stuff, this is exactly the purpose I'd set it up for. MBA handled it without breaking a sweat.
 
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eyoungren said:
Bought a 1st gen iPad Mini on iOS 9.3.6 last weekend. Arrived yesterday. I'm using it to run an older version of Google Maps in my car for GPS/NAV. Works just fine.

Yesterday I used my 2011 MacBook Air running High Sierra to wipe and restore the iPad via iTunes. As this Mac is my current 'middle ground' between by older Intel stuff and my newer Intel stuff, this is exactly the purpose I'd set it up for. MBA handled it without breaking a sweat.
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You can still also stream Pandora on those as well using the app off of the App Store, I do that in my kitchen with an old iPad in it's Apple iPad dock connected to an iPod HiFi!! Love the old iPads!


😎
 
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Moving stuff around! The 2012 i7 Mac mini was short-lived (two weeks!) as my main computer. I wasn't impressed and was worried with how hot it got so I bought a Mac Pro (6 core 64GB/1TB) for a song from eBay. The MP definitely runs cooler. I removed the SSDs from the MM to facilitate data transfer. I tried using an ethernet cable, but that was really slow! I had three Macs in various states of disassembly! The 2012 MM replaced my 2014 MM as a media server. You can see the bottom plate of that on the desk. I also restored the RAM and SSD to my 2012 Macbook Pro. I now have an unused 2014 MM. I was going to sell it but I saw a cool reuse of a Mac Classic that I may try if I can get a hold of a MC for a reasonable price.

Screen Shot 2026-02-08 at 4.19.25 PM.png
 
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JulianStaples said:
I hate to admit it, but I think my gaming skills peaked with SMB3. 😂



These look great, good stuff! I have a 23" version I picked up last year, running with my Mac Pro 6,1. But I've never been able to get the USB ports on the monitor to recognise my mouse/keyboard. No idea if it has something to do with the Mac running OCLP Sequoia or just the ports themselves that no longer work, but it's a little annoying as the old Mighty Mouse I use with it has a very short cable and running it from the back of the monitor rather than the back of the Mac would be so much better. 🥲
Click to expand...
Hey, I just realized you have a 2013 Mac Pro. I just got one and had some issues with the USB ports on the rear of the ACDs. I found out that there is some sort of weird interference between the ACD, Bluetooth and the position of the main (thicker) monitor cable. I had a strange time when I booted up the MP and the trackpad was disconnected but the keyboard was fine. I had to force reconnect the trackpad. After I started unplugging things and rebooting I realized it has something, possibly, to do with the ACDs ad maybe the USB cable. I have two monitors plugged into a USB hub and the hub into the Mac.

Google, "can apple cinema displays in front of 2013 mac pro interfere with bluetooth?". It is interesting.

It's good to try to get it working. I never used to connect the USB pass through but it is very useful because it can control the monitor brightness with the keyboard. I can do this for two different attached monitors.
 
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MacInTO said:
Hey, I just realized you have a 2013 Mac Pro. I just got one and had some issues with the USB ports on the rear of the ACDs. I found out that there is some sort of weird interference between the ACD, Bluetooth and the position of the main (thicker) monitor cable. I had a strange time when I booted up the MP and the trackpad was disconnected but the keyboard was fine. I had to force reconnect the trackpad. After I started unplugging things and rebooting I realized it has something, possibly, to do with the ACDs ad maybe the USB cable. I have two monitors plugged into a USB hub and the hub into the Mac.

Google, "can apple cinema displays in front of 2013 mac pro interfere with bluetooth?". It is interesting.

It's good to try to get it working. I never used to connect the USB pass through but it is very useful because it can control the monitor brightness with the keyboard. I can do this for two different attached monitors.
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Yay. 😀 Had a play around with the cables/connectors from this, and it works. USB ports on the back of the display all up and running. Would still like to find more desk space. This is a tiny secondary desk next to my main work area. But at least that tiny mouse cable isn't annoying me any more. 😅

IMG_0080.jpg
 
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JulianStaples said:
Yay. 😀 Had a play around with the cables/connectors from this, and it works. USB ports on the back of the display all up and running. Would still like to find more desk space. This is a tiny secondary desk next to my main work area. But at least that tiny mouse cable isn't annoying me any more. 😅

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Glad to hear that the ports work!

I was considering those speakers. How do you like them?
 
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