What is the preferred way to install Ubuntu on a MacBook Pro?
I have a MacBook Pro with Mac OS X 10.5. I need a Linux environment some times. So what is the best way to achieve that?
- Make it dual boot? (but I don't know if that is possible with a MacBook)
- Install VirtualBox and then put Ubuntu on top of it? (But I am not sure if this configuration will be slow, so I need a Linux environment for coding, so it needs to do compiling and debugging and stuff).
Best Answer
I have installed Ubuntu 9.04 in a VirtualBox on my MacBook Pro for exactly the same reason (to try out MonoDevelop). The installation is fairly trivial.
First, download the Ubuntu Live CD and VirtualBox. In VirtualBox, create a virtual machine and enable mounting of the CD for the VM. Boot the VM into the Ubuntu Live CD. From there you can very easily install Ubuntu on the VM.
Of course, to allow for a smooth user experience you need to be able being generous with the resources available to the VM. However, as the whole process of getting Ubuntu to run doesn't take much effort it is always worth a try.