You should be able to boot Ubuntu directly from the USB stick without having to perform an install.

Tom Nelson is an engineer, programmer, network manager, and computer network and systems designer who has written for Other World Computing,and others.

Under the hood, Macs hardware is remarkably similar to most of the parts used in modern Windows computers.

Youll find the same processor families, graphics engines, networking chips, and a great deal more.

Many Linux distributions can run nicely on a Mac, though there can be challenges to installing and configuring the OS.

This project is for advanced users who have the time to work through issues that may develop along the way and are willing to reinstall macOS and their data if problems occur during the process.

This guide uses Ubuntu, mainly because of the active forums and support available from the Ubuntu community and the coverage of Ubuntu provided online.

There are plenty of reasons for having Ubuntu run on a Mac, including the ability to broaden your technology chops, learn about a different OS, and run one or more OS-specific apps.

You may be a Linux developer and realize that the Mac is the best platform to use, or you may simply want to try out Ubuntu.

After you have a recent backup of all your data, disconnect it from your Mac to ensure that the clone backup isnt accidentally erased during the Ubuntu installation.

A Mac with at least 2GB of RAM and a 2 GHz dual-core processor: These are the bare minimums; more RAM and faster processor speeds or additional processor cores are helpful.

The installation described here is on a 2014 27-inch Retina iMac running macOS Sierra, but the process should work for any Mac released since 2011.

If you plan to use an older Mac, you should still be able to install Ubuntu, but you need to pay attention to how the boot process works for older hardware.

If you have problems getting your older Mac to work with Ubuntu, stop by the Ubuntu forums and search for install guides for your Mac model.

A 2GB or larger USB flash drive: The flash drive is used as a bootable Ubuntu installer that contains not only the basic installer but also a live version of Ubuntu.

This version can run directly from the USB flash drive without modifying anything on your Mac.

It is a great way to test whether your Mac and Ubuntu can get along.

Bootcamp Mini Drivers Will Need

A USB keyboard and mouse: You need a USB-based keyboard and mouse because its highly likely that the Ubuntu Bluetooth drivers will need to be installed or updated before a wireless keyboard or mouse can work.

If youre using a MacBook, you probably dont have to worry.

Bootcamp Mini Free Drive Space

GB free drive space: This is the minimum size recommended for the desktop version of Ubuntu; more space to work with can be a benefit.

The latest stable Ubuntu: Check the Ubuntu website for the latest version and for any specific changes that may affect installation or use on your Mac.

The first task in installing and configuring Ubuntu on your Mac is to create a live bootable USB flash drive that contains the Ubuntu Desktop OS.

Use this flash drive to not only install Ubuntu but also to confirm that Ubuntu can run on your Mac.

Bootcamp For Mac Mini