Any way to use MBA 2011? Run Linux? Throw in garbage?

[ThunderSkunk]

4gb of ram… that’s rough… but if you spend $15 to put 8gb in it, you can stick windows on it, spend a whole day rummaging through the settings turning everything off, load itunes and use it as a media server, backup coordinator & print server. Though OS X becomes useless after a few years, thankfully intel macs have the added value of opportunistic Microsoft being responsible, taking over and offering a fully supported OS, security updates and all, long after Apple loses interest in supporting their own hardware & customers.

 

[Zdigital2015]

4gb of ram… that’s rough… but if you spend $15 to put 8gb in it, you can stick windows on it, spend a whole day rummaging through the settings turning everything off, load itunes and use it as a media server, backup coordinator & print server. Though OS X becomes useless after a few years, thankfully intel macs have the added value of opportunistic Microsoft being responsible, taking over and offering a fully supported OS, security updates and all, long after Apple loses interest in supporting their own hardware & customers.

Memory is soldered in and non-expandable on the 2011 MBA, as are all MBA’s

 

[splifingate]

I'm also not a fan of Google but I'd consider this as a last resort. ChromeOS seems like it's probably just a glorified version of Android with all the limitations that entails compared to a real OS such as Windows, Linux or macOS, is that correct?

Chrome OS is based-upon Gentoo OS (with all the limitations that entails)

 

[ChrisA]

Is there any way to use an Air 2011 for any thing at all? It has High Sierra 10.13.6 and Apple won't update it any more. My first choice would be to somehow use it for Linux since I've been wanting to switch anyway. Can I replace the entire OS with Linux? Keep the 10.13.6 and install a VM or something to run Linux? Get some security thing to keep using 10.13.6 safely, or does Apple go in and disable everything? I only need it for simple things that computers did in 2000 if not 1995 so there has to be a way - really basic word processing, spreadsheets, web surfing, play *non-streaming* videos and music, that's it. It'd be environmentally reprehensible to throw it in the garbage.



Intel Core i7 1.8 Ghz, 4 Gb

Of course you can run Linux on the old Mac. Then you can run a modern browser. But really the 2011 MBP is still a very capable computer. You can improv it. Your older Mac has upgradable disk and RAM. Install a large SSD and make sure the RAM is upgraded to 8 GB. With this, the Mac wil be as fast is many modern computers.

 

[splifingate]

Is there any way to use an Air 2011 for any thing at all? It has High Sierra 10.13.6 and Apple won't update it any more. My first choice would be to somehow use it for Linux since I've been wanting to switch anyway. Can I replace the entire OS with Linux? Keep the 10.13.6 and install a VM or something to run Linux? Get some security thing to keep using 10.13.6 safely, or does Apple go in and disable everything? I only need it for simple things that computers did in 2000 if not 1995 so there has to be a way - really basic word processing, spreadsheets, web surfing, play *non-streaming* videos and music, that's it. It'd be environmentally reprehensible to throw it in the garbage.



Intel Core i7 1.8 Ghz, 4 Gb

It's be a shame to throw such Art in the Trash!

You should be able to install just about everything modern Linux on your machine, to great-effect

 

[ThunderSkunk]

Memory is soldered in and non-expandable on the 2011 MBA, as are all MBA’s

oh, I thought MBAs were removable til 2012.
thx for clarifying that.

 

[3166792]

Fedora, Fedora, Fedora, Fedora!

I actually credit the GNOME desktop for getting me on macOS for the very first time after a decade running Linux and a lifetime on WinDOS before that.

Grab a USB and download Fedora Media Writer and get going!

Fedora Workstation

We're so glad you've decided to give Fedora Workstation a try. We know you'll love it.

www.fedoraproject.org

 

[blw777]

Linux is a viable option. I have Ubuntu running on my 2010 iMac, and you'd never know it was 13 years old. With just 4GB memory you won't be doing any heavy lifting, but you don't need that. In your case you've got an SSD so the memory penalty won't be as bad is might be on other machines. I'm admittedly a long-time Unix user, but it doesn't take forever to install Linux, nor is it particularly complex these days.

 

[JustAnExpat]

Thanks, will look into this.

That's just it. When you try to find out about security people make it seem like even sites like Amazon or New York Times carry malware that will make your computer explode and burn down your house and I always wonder if this is really directed at the kind of uninformed people who enter their social security number at Russian gambling sites. As for email I pretty much never click on anything not least because my work and friends essentially never send links and for banking and shopping I always start at the official website, never from email links.

During the early Windows XP days, it was vital to keep security up to date. For Windows XP, it's true attackers could easily enter a computer that's connected to the internet.

Nowadays, attackers don't use that strategy because they would have to target specific exploits on specific machines. If you're a high powered executive, or a president of a nation - attackers will be able to eventually violate your machine's security and gain access. Honestly, you and I are nobodies. An attacker won't go after you.

> I always wonder if this is really directed at the kind of uninformed people who enter their social security number at Russian gambling sites.

Exactly that! It's also aimed at small businesses, or businesses that must maintain compliance. It's not really aimed for you or I, who take reasonable computer security practices.

You'll eventually start having problems with accessing the web, as banks and other secure sites won't let you on because your browser is too old.

 

[ArkSingularity]

Oddly enough, I just saw your post immediately after watching this video. Might be worth a watch for what you're intending:

I forgot how impossibly thin those things looked back then. If I recall, Steve Jobs even fit one of those things into an envelope for the presentation!

That's machine is a huge piece of computer history.

 

[ArkSingularity]

Fedora, Fedora, Fedora, Fedora!

I actually credit the GNOME desktop for getting me on macOS for the very first time after a decade running Linux and a lifetime on WinDOS before that.

Grab a USB and download Fedora Media Writer and get going!

Fedora Workstation

We're so glad you've decided to give Fedora Workstation a try. We know you'll love it.

www.fedoraproject.org

Gnome 3 is awesome. The overview is basically spotlight, mission control, and launchpad all into one panel.

 

[Frazzles]

Is there any way to use an Air 2011 for any thing at all? It has High Sierra 10.13.6 and Apple won't update it any more. My first choice would be to somehow use it for Linux since I've been wanting to switch anyway. Can I replace the entire OS with Linux? Keep the 10.13.6 and install a VM or something to run Linux? Get some security thing to keep using 10.13.6 safely, or does Apple go in and disable everything? I only need it for simple things that computers did in 2000 if not 1995 so there has to be a way - really basic word processing, spreadsheets, web surfing, play *non-streaming* videos and music, that's it. It'd be environmentally reprehensible to throw it in the garbage.



Intel Core i7 1.8 Ghz, 4 Gb

Opencore legacy patcher

 

[cupcakes2000]

Pop_os! Is a very nice option, and it’s a friendly OS if you don’t know Linux yet. Great springboard into the Linux world and will be great in this machine.

 

[leman]

Honestly, I’d just use High Sierra with a third-party browser. If you only use the laptop on a secure network and don’t do anything overly sensitive it should be perfectly fine.

 

[HawkTheHusky1902]

Is there any way to use an Air 2011 for any thing at all? It has High Sierra 10.13.6 and Apple won't update it any more. My first choice would be to somehow use it for Linux since I've been wanting to switch anyway. Can I replace the entire OS with Linux? Keep the 10.13.6 and install a VM or something to run Linux? Get some security thing to keep using 10.13.6 safely, or does Apple go in and disable everything? I only need it for simple things that computers did in 2000 if not 1995 so there has to be a way - really basic word processing, spreadsheets, web surfing, play *non-streaming* videos and music, that's it. It'd be environmentally reprehensible to throw it in the garbage.



Intel Core i7 1.8 Ghz, 4 Gb

Dont you dare throw it away! Install Linux on it by using a USB stick and BalenaEtcher or install a new, secure, macOS like Monterey or Ventura using OCLP. I am using a mid 2010 mbp right now as my main and only computer and its running flawlessly for everything. Old is gold!

 

[HawkTheHusky1902]

Honestly, I’d just use High Sierra with a third-party browser. If you only use the laptop on a secure network and don’t do anything overly sensitive it should be perfectly fine.

Thats what i am using and i dont need security updates. Im using Firefox and a VPN and all is great!

 

[cthart]

Give OpenCore Legacy Patcher a try and upgrade to something like Monterey. If you have the tuits to install Linux, you can install OCLP.

 

[cthart]

Of course you can run Linux on the old Mac. Then you can run a modern browser. But really the 2011 MBP is still a very capable computer. You can improv it. Your older Mac has upgradable disk and RAM. Install a large SSD and make sure the RAM is upgraded to 8 GB. With this, the Mac wil be as fast is many modern computers.

It's a MBA, not a MBP. RAM isn't upgradeable. And I *think* 4Gb is the maximum these machines support.

 

[Basic75]

If you don't choose a bloated distribution 4GB will work much better with Linux than with macOS.

 

[ArkSingularity]

If you don't choose a bloated distribution 4GB will work much better with Linux than with macOS.

I've had good luck with Ubuntu Mate on an old Thinkpad T60. Only has 3GB of RAM, but it can handle most modern software without a ton of trouble.

Ubuntu Mate only really uses 600-700MB of RAM at boot.

 

[stiligFox]

Shoot, I desperately miss my old 2011 MBA. Sell it to me if you don't need it anymore

That said, as others have said, for what you're saying your needs are, it's definitely more than adequate. I would however recommend against trying to upgrade it past High Sierra, in fact I'd recommend downgrading an OS or two to help lighten the load on it. That MacBook Air originally came with Snow Leopard, afaik.

That said, as long as you continue to use period-correct software, it'll continue to function just as it did back then, the main issue you'll run into is that web browsing and streaming videos such as YouTube will get worse over time as newer internet protocols leave old hardware behind.

 

[winxmac]

1. Stay on macOS... Use a patcher [dosdude/OCLP] to upgrade to Mojave or Catalina... You will need to read a lot of how-to's and watch several tutorials before you go with this...
2. Erase the drive and install Windows 7 or Windows 10... Just download the Boot Camp drivers first by using brigadier from github... Once you have the drivers, you can install Windows then the drivers so you can use it until Windows 10 support ends in October 2025... Same as earlier, you will need to spend time reading and watching several tutorials for this option...
3. Erase the drive and install either Linux Mint [GUI-wise, it's very similar to Windows] or elementaryOS if you want the macOS look... Linux Mint 19 is the last one that has a 32bit version... You can also go with a different distribution like Lubuntu or anything that uses minimal resources... I am not that familiar with elementaryOS... You don't have to install additional drivers after you install a Linux distribution... They have hardware drivers, generic/open-source and proprietary, included... As with the other two, read and watch several tutorials before you proceed...

 

[gpat]

Put Windows 10 IoT LTSC on it and you can run any app you can conceive, with included security updates until Jan 13, 2032.

 

[dwaltwhit]

Just because it no longer receives updates doesn't mean it is worthless. Just keep using it. My 09 iMac is still doing most things pretty well.

 

[HawkTheHusky1902]

I've had good luck with Ubuntu Mate on an old Thinkpad T60. Only has 3GB of RAM, but it can handle most modern software without a ton of trouble.

Ubuntu Mate only really uses 600-700MB of RAM at boot.

No, Pop OS or Mint is the best imo.