Installing Ubuntu 18.04.01 LTS on late-2013 Mac Book Pro
TENSORFLOW & APPLE MADE ME DO IT
Linux has always been my go to for development. After trying out development in the macOS environment, I am finding the need to return to my preferred OS. Especially when my projects ventures into machine learning and image analysis. With this version of the MacBook Pro (MBP) there is an Nvidia GEFORCE GT 750M chip that I would like to utilize for its CUDA cores. I can install the macOS Nvidia CUDA drivers but, another downfall of venturing into an active dev area like ML, TensorFlow doesn’t support GPUs on macOS.
Explitive, Explitive, Explitive.
How could Google do this? Well, turns out there is a issue with Apple’s own drivers.
No solution for native macOS GPU support but, some have had success installing from source
The only way to save this situation, and grant me access to some CUDA cores, is to use an OS that will open the hardware up for me. Installing, in this instance, Ubuntu 18.04.01, does that.
Loading Ubuntu ISO on MBP
After downloading the Ubuntu ISO, create a USB image of the ISO (I did this with rufus and windows)
BACK UP DATA YOU WANT FROM MBP
3 hours of backing up data later…
Booting into Ubuntu live USB
Restart your mac and when hearing the “start up” chime/sound, hold the Option (⌥) key
Release the key after Startup Manager appears
Select EFI Boot
You will then be booted into Ubuntu Live USB
At this point you should notice that there is no WiFi
The WiFi card should show up with
lspci as a Broadcom card
Further steps are taken later in the guide to to get wifi working…
Installing Ubuntu
Run the install for the OS.
No turning back now! Good bye, macOS✌
Hello Linux (Ubuntu)
Installing WiFi drivers
Downloading/Installing the needed WiFi drivers
Connect to the internet either by LAN dongle or internet over Bluetooth sharing. Out of any LAN dongles, I chose the Bluetooth + phone way
Open a terminal and type
sudo apt update
sudo apt install bcmwl-kernel-sourceWait for the install to finish and your WiFi will now be working.
Finished!
Now to start coding again..
Thanks for following this guide and will keep it updated as needed. Just finished this install myself with this guide so will be testing more. You can reach me on twitter with any questions. Remember to change your keyboard configuration.
