Ubuntu – How to install Ubuntu on a MacBook Air

I had a similar problem on an old Macbook 1.1 with a broken cd-drive. I remember that all the approaches shown in the forums did not work. Try to do the following (it worked for me), the main difference is to format the flash drive as EXT:

• install refit

• format your flash drive as EXT4. In the following commands note that you'll need to sudo.

• install grub on the flash drive as follows: say the device is /dev/sdb and you mount it as /media/usbdrive, then run

  sudo grub-install --root-directory=/media/usbdrive /dev/sdb
  

• copy the ubuntu iso to /media/usbdrive:

  sudo cp ubuntu-10.10-desktop-i386.iso /media/usbdrive/
  

• now you want to create the config file for grub inside /media/usbdrive/boot/grub/. Create a file called grub.cfg with your favorite editor (you'll need to sudo): gksudo gedit /media/usbdrive/boot/grub/grub.cfg and paste the following 5 lines inside.

  search --set -f /ubuntu-10.10-desktop-i386.iso
  loopback loop /ubuntu-10.10-desktop-i386.iso
  linux (loop)/casper/vmlinuz boot=casper iso-scan/filename=/ubuntu-10.10-desktop-i386.iso persistent debug=
  initrd (loop)/casper/initrd.lz
  boot
  

• Do a sudo sync to commit all changes to the usb drive.

• That's it! Reboot, with your usb plugged-in and when refit comes up select the usb drive (in my case, it takes a while to boot (you will not see grub or anything just wait a ), probably it is uncompressing the iso, not sure.

• Hope it works!

Contrary to Zach's experience, Linux works flawlessly on my MBA 5,2. The only gripes I have are reduced battery life (which is systemic to all of Linux at this point), and comparatively lame touchpad drivers (which is due to the lack of documentation about the protocol).

There are two major pain points with this setup, however.

1. You will definitely need to be an experienced Linux user to set it up, or have someone who is hold your hand. It was definitely a more complicated install, but nothing someone with mild experience using Linux can't handle with the help of online documentation.

2. Use the 3.4/5 kernel. Zach's issues have should have all been resolved in later kernels.(I can confirm all but the multi-monitor thing, which, despite my being a developer, I do not do...)

You'll need to post more information about the "Kernel panic" you're getting. I would also NOT reccomend following that guide, but rather resources such as:

• MacBookAir4-2 - Basic Installation Instructions
• How to install Ubuntu on MacBook using USB Stick

Like I said, it's definitely possible, and it works as well as it can given the current state of Linux. There is absolutely no reason to get a new computer -- just make sure you're actually using a kernel that can handle your machine!