I'm considering purchasing a 2010 MacBook 13 with an Intel Core 2 Duo, 8 GB of RAM, and a 256 GB SSD for less than $100. My plan is to install Debian 13 along with the dwm window manager so I can use it for participating in Capture The Flag events, testing various tools, and some coding. Has anyone tried using this model for similar purposes? How well does it perform?
5 Answers
I’m running Linux on an '09 MacBook Air, and it works quite well. It all depends on what you plan on doing with it, but you should be able to manage.
You might find better deals for $100, like a 2nd or 3rd gen i5 laptop. I've got some Dell Latitudes that I would sell for around $60 each, and they have better specs — 8 GB of RAM and SSDs too.
If it's the model with the Nvidia GPU, steer clear! The proprietary drivers aren't supported anymore, and the open-source ones don't work well either. Honestly, it might not be the best bang for your buck even if you can get it for cheap.
I have a 2010 MacBook Pro still in use; it handles the basics decently. Just make sure to check the GPU and Wi-Fi compatibility. Intel graphics are generally safe, but the old Nvidia setups can be a hassle.
It should run fine since you’re adding an SSD. Just check out the Arch Wiki for that model to identify any potential issues you could run into.
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