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Repurposing old Mac with windows
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Repurposing old Mac with windows
What do all of you think about putting windows on my old MacBook Pro. And having a “free” second computer since I already have the product keys. I’m moving to a new Mac this release and I’ll have this other one just sitting around. It’s a 2015 2.8ghz i7 with 16gb of ram.
redheeler
macrumors 604
Oct 17, 2014
7,967
8,129
Colorado, USA
I've installed Linux on Macs a few times for fun, usually when the Mac was a bit older than your 2015 and no longer able to run recent MacOS versions though. As for Windows...not much of a fan.
Reactions:
macsound1 and A1423
I’m not the hugest fan of windows either. It’s really just the one other computer operating system I know and I have the product Keys for the “pro” version.I've installed Linux on Macs a few times for fun, usually when the Mac was a bit older than your 2015 and no longer able to run recent MacOS versions though. As for Windows...not much of a fan.
I haven’t played around with Linux in over a decade. I just didn’t have the time. I may decide to take this opportunity to play around and learn a new OS.
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redheeler
redheeler
macrumors 604
Oct 17, 2014
7,967
8,129
Colorado, USA
Old Macs make good Linux boxes. I've been able to repurpose a 2009 Mac mini that would've otherwise been completely obsolete!I’m not the hugest fan of windows either. It’s really just the one other computer operating system I know and I have the product Keys for the “pro” version.
I haven’t played around with Linux in over a decade. I just didn’t have the time. I may decide to take this opportunity to play around and learn a new OS.
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VaruLV and OLDCODGER
I'll have to look deeper into that. What flavor of Linux would you use?Old Macs make good Linux boxes. I've been able to repurpose a 2009 Mac mini that would've otherwise been completely obsolete!
redheeler
macrumors 604
Oct 17, 2014
7,967
8,129
Colorado, USA
Depends on a lot of things like how you plan to use it and how much time you have to install and mess around with it. Ubuntu is a good starting point for just getting up and running quickly, I like the Ubuntu Budgie flavor of it as a pretty sleek and somewhat Mac-like UI.I'll have to look deeper into that. What flavor of Linux would you use?
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A1423
I would probably play around with it. I may decide to install the web agent software for my UPS so I can monitor it from the web and see when I lost power, but other than that It would be for playing around with and learning.Depends on a lot of things like how you plan to use it and how much time you have to install and mess around with it. Ubuntu is a good starting point for just getting up and running quickly, I like the Ubuntu Budgie flavor of it as a pretty sleek and somewhat Mac-like UI.
Burnincoco
macrumors member
May 6, 2007
It’s a great idea.
Sometimes there is that obscure software you need that was only released for Windows in 2001.
Linux is great to learn and use but OSX just laps it in every way and back
Sometimes there is that obscure software you need that was only released for Windows in 2001.
Linux is great to learn and use but OSX just laps it in every way and back
Reactions:
rovostrov and A1423
I have a MBP of similar vintage...and when I get around to it, I'll either make it a Windows machine or a ChromeOS Flex machine. I'm leaning towards ChromeOS because it is free and will receive updates for at least a couple more years. I'm not much of a Google fan but I feel MSFT and GOOG are equally bad when it comes to privacy so longevity wins.What do all of you think about putting windows on my old MacBook Pro.
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Certified models list - ChromeOS Flex Help
Last updated on: Jan 11th, 2023To ensure a consistent and high-quality experience, Google individually certifies and maintains a list of models that you can use with ChromeOS Flex. Model status
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Last edited: Yesterday at 12:55 PM
Falhófnir
macrumors 603
Aug 19, 2017
5,918
6,656
My only caveat would be paying for a Windows license now W10 support is ticking down, but if it's not going to cost you anything extra then I guess there's no reason not to, especially as the 2015s are now out of MacOS support.
Sounds like a great idea. I wish I would've thought of that before I gave away my old MBP 13".What do all of you think about putting windows on my old MacBook Pro. And having a “free” second computer since I already have the product keys. I’m moving to a new Mac this release and I’ll have this other one just sitting around. It’s a 2015 2.8ghz i7 with 16gb of ram.
I still have an Intel 16" MBP and this is a great idea of how to repurpose it after I get my new M2 MBP.
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Burnincoco
macsound1
macrumors 6502a
May 17, 2007
SF Bay Area
I mean, old macs with fresh installs are perfect for single purpose devices.
Eventually the web browser doesn’t support secure websites, but old iMacs as a bedroom or bathroom video streaming device, old mac as a couch or kitchen web browser. If you don’t have any software or logins on it, there’s no security issues to worry about.
Eventually the web browser doesn’t support secure websites, but old iMacs as a bedroom or bathroom video streaming device, old mac as a couch or kitchen web browser. If you don’t have any software or logins on it, there’s no security issues to worry about.
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redheeler
redheeler
macrumors 604
Oct 17, 2014
7,967
8,129
Colorado, USA
I repurposed a late 2013 21.5" iMac this way. Unsupported Monterey install, Safari is broken but everything else (including other browsers) seems to work fine and security updates are guaranteed for two more years. The community efforts have even seen success with Ventura on this hardware.I mean, old macs with fresh installs are perfect for single purpose devices.
Eventually the web browser doesn’t support secure websites, but old iMacs as a bedroom or bathroom video streaming device, old mac as a couch or kitchen web browser. If you don’t have any software or logins on it, there’s no security issues to worry about.
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macsound1
headlessmike
macrumors 6502a
May 16, 2017
1,117
Microsoft will stop selling licenses for Windows 10 to consumers this month, so the writing is on the wall. At least the OP already has one.My only caveat would be paying for a Windows license now W10 support is ticking down, but if it's not going to cost you anything extra then I guess there's no reason not to, especially as the 2015s are now out of MacOS support.
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Falhófnir
svenmany
macrumors demi-god
Jun 19, 2011
1,096
Be a bit careful. If the machine has unpatched vulnerabilities and connects to the web at all, it could get some malware. If that computer is on the same network as other computers in your home, then there are risks. Perhaps keep it on a guest network to help with that a bit.If you don’t have any software or logins on it, there’s no security issues to worry about.
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A1423
Falhófnir
macrumors 603
Aug 19, 2017
5,918
6,656
Yes, it's a shame the final few Intel Macs don't officially support W11 despite meeting the requirements.Microsoft will stop selling licenses for Windows 10 to consumers this month, so the writing is on the wall. At least the OP already has one.
ugh. I didn't even know that. I've been pretty out of the Windows game ever since getting a Mac in 2015/2016. I better get right on installing windows, and if I choose to do the Linux thing, do that after.Yes, it's a shame the final few Intel Macs don't officially support W11 despite meeting the requirements.
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Falhófnir
maflynn
macrumors Haswell
May 3, 2009
70,915
39,548
Apple announced the transition to ARM in 2020, windows 11 came out October 2021. Apple might have chosen to support windows 11, had they not already embarked on their transition to ARM.Yes, it's a shame the final few Intel Macs don't officially support W11 despite meeting the requirements.
Falhófnir
macrumors 603
Aug 19, 2017
5,918
6,656
Yes they probably deemed it wasn't worth it for a handful of Macs. It is a shame though, the 2019 16" would have been quite an interesting option at this point, it's main drawback afaic is Apple's rapid clearance of Intel based macs from macOS support. Having the option of using it as a W11 machine (without lots of tinkering to get it to work) would change things significantly.Apple announced the transition to ARM in 2020, windows 11 came out October 2021. Apple might have chosen to support windows 11, had they not already embarked on their transition to ARM.
Reactions:
maflynn
headlessmike
macrumors 6502a
May 16, 2017
1,117
Windows 11 has some pretty strict requirements regarding secure booting. Do Macs even come with the specific TPM 2.0 coprocessors required?Yes they probably deemed it wasn't worth it for a handful of Macs. It is a shame though, the 2019 16" would have been quite an interesting option at this point, it's main drawback afaic is Apple's rapid clearance of Intel based macs from macOS support. Having the option of using it as a W11 machine (without lots of tinkering to get it to work) would change things significantly.
orionquest
macrumors 6502a
Mar 16, 2022
The Great White North
If using Windows is not already on your radar I bet you will install it and poke at it and forget about it.
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