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Installing Ubuntu on Intel Mac Laptops

The best option is to use a current, up to date PC (or a friend’s PC) and create a bootable USB with Ventoy, then copy the Ubuntu ISO onto that USB. After that, boot your 2012 MacBook Pro from the USB and install Ubuntu.

Below is a step by step that works for most 2012 MacBook Pro models.

What you need

Step 1: Download Ventoy on the PC

  1. Go to: https://www.ventoy.net
  2. Click Download
  3. Get the version for your PC:
    • Windows: Ventoy Windows ZIP
    • Linux: Ventoy Linux TAR.GZ
  4. Extract the downloaded file

Step 2: Install Ventoy onto the USB drive

On Windows

  1. Plug in your USB drive
  2. Open the extracted Ventoy folder
  3. Run Ventoy2Disk.exe (right click → Run as Administrator)
  4. At the top, confirm the correct USB drive is selected
    Warning: This will wipe that USB drive.
  5. Click Install
  6. Confirm prompts until it finishes

On Linux (if you’re using Linux instead)

  1. Plug in USB
  2. Extract Ventoy
  3. Open Terminal in the Ventoy folder
  4. Run:sudo ./Ventoy2Disk.sh -i /dev/sdX Replace /dev/sdX with your USB device (not a partition like /dev/sdX1).

Step 3: Download Ubuntu ISO

  1. Go to: https://ubuntu.com/download/desktop
  2. Download the latest Ubuntu Desktop ISO (usually 64-bit)
  3. When the ISO finishes downloading, do not “burn” it or use Rufus. Just keep the ISO file.

Step 4: Copy the Ubuntu ISO onto the Ventoy USB

  1. Open the USB drive in File Explorer (Windows) or your file manager
  2. Drag and drop the Ubuntu .iso file onto the USB
    That’s it. Ventoy works by booting ISO files directly.

Step 5: Boot the 2012 MacBook Pro from the USB

  1. Plug the Ventoy USB into the MacBook Pro
  2. Shut the MacBook Pro down completely
  3. Turn it on and immediately hold Option (Alt)
    Keep holding until the boot picker appears
  4. You should see something like EFI Boot (sometimes it shows the USB name)
  5. Select EFI Boot and press Enter

If you do not see EFI Boot:

Step 6: In Ventoy, choose the Ubuntu ISO

  1. Ventoy menu will load
  2. Select the Ubuntu ISO you copied over
  3. Choose the default boot option

Ubuntu should start loading.

Step 7: Start the Ubuntu installer

Once Ubuntu loads:

  1. Choose Try or Install Ubuntu
  2. When you reach the desktop installer screen, click Install Ubuntu

Step 8: Install settings that usually work best

During install you’ll pick:

  1. Keyboard layout: choose yours
  2. Updates & other software
    • Pick Normal installation
    • Check Download updates while installing
    • Optional: check Install third-party software (Wi-Fi, graphics, media codecs)

Step 9: Choose install type (most important step)

You’ll see options like:

Option A: Full Ubuntu only (erases Mac drive)

Option B: Dual boot with macOS (harder, more risk)

For most “older laptop revival” setups, Option A is best.

Step 10: Finish install

  1. Pick your timezone
  2. Create username + password
  3. Let install finish
  4. Click Restart Now
  5. When it says remove installation media:
    • Unplug the USB
    • Press Enter

Ubuntu should boot from the internal drive.

Post install: 2 fixes that often matter on 2012 MacBook Pros

1) Get updates + drivers

Open Terminal and run:

sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade -y
sudo ubuntu-drivers autoinstall

Reboot after.

2) If Wi-Fi does not work

Many 2012 MBPs use Broadcom Wi-Fi. Usually “third party software” handles it, but if not:

  1. Connect via Ethernet (or phone USB tethering)
  2. Run:
sudo apt update
sudo apt install bcmwl-kernel-source -y

Reboot.

Notes for 2012 or newer MacBook Pros

If your MacBook Pro is a 13-inch vs 15-inch and you tell me whether you want erase only or dual boot, I can tailor the exact install choices and avoid the usual pitfalls.