I saw a good video on YouTube of a guy who installed the most recent version of Ubuntu on an Intel 2011 Macbook Pro that he got for free from some bin at some swap meet. Looked like something I might want to try.
I looked online for refurbished old Intel Macbook Pros and they range from $200 - $600 depending on year, specs and condition. Free would be best, but I’m not likely to encounter one of those.
Of course, I could opt for a cheap Windows box instead but I figured a Macbook Pro would be higher quality.
Yes. It’s a Dell 15” laptop. It still worked well, but the display is cracking away from the hinge and can cause image distortion. Might still work closed but using an external display. It’s been a few years since I turned it on, and at this point, I’ll never be going back to it for Windows recovery purposes since my new laptop has been fine for over 2 years now.
So, yes, I guess I could try to install Ubuntu on it, but the thought of “new” hardware still entices even if it would only be new to me.
That would probably be the cheapest option, especially if you have a monitor, mouse, and keyboard you can plug into it (since you would be keeping the laptop closed, so won’t have access to the track pad or keyboard). As long as the old laptop satisfies the minimum requirements for the program.
Otherwise, look for refurbs online. You can probably get basic ones from most PC makers (Dell, HP, etc). Maybe Apple, too, but likely more expensive.
I have a couple options, my little 11" MB Air is falling out of OS updates, and my GD gave me her MB Pro, also a few years old, it got her through college, had to strip all the stickers off, and it needs a battery & SSD transplant… Like in the video, lots of ports, and DVD drive, so maybe an interesting option… I’d bet there are a lot of these out here, or in closets, pop up a Wanted ad in local venues, I bet some will pop up…
