How to Install Debian on Mac mini

wikinerd writes "After the hype about Mac mini, a Linux consultant wrote a detailed guide on how to install Debian on Mac mini. The whole procedure takes about an hour, but you will need to erase the hard disk and learn to live without the AirPort Extreme, since it's unsupported. The guide also explains how you can dual-boot with Mac OS X and Debian and gives you ideas on how to set up your partitions."

Yes, but...

[prattboy]

Yes, but can you install Windows on it?

OK

[Anonymous Coward]

learn to live without the AirPort Extreme

And iMovie, and iDVD and iTunes and Photoshop and Poser and Bryce and Vue D'Esprit and... wait... why do I want to do this again?

Apparently

[Primotech]

The "because-you-can" department is in overdrive today.

Cool, man

[Swampfeet]

Hey, man, so when can I install Windows 3.1 on my new Sony Vaio that came with XP? Sorta the same deal, isn't it?

What! No Airport Extreme!

[Anonymous Coward]

Wow, bad wireless support in a Linux Distro? What next? No major vendor games?

You know it...

[mrbarkeeper]

- A new Mac mini: 500,-

- A set of Debian CDs: 5,-

- "Making her new Mac look like her old PC": Priceless!

Re:but why?

[bob beta]

We live in a strange time, with cheap Macs (mini)

Of course, the equivalent PC is only $200 at Walmart. And it includes the keyboard and mouse at that price (Mac Mini doesn't).

Re:Great

[Anonymous Coward]

Hose writes:

"I love Macs because they represent cheerfulness and lighthearted excitement, they are merry, bright and lively, they have vivid and joyful style."

According to the Merriam-Webster [m-w.com] dictionary, the word you're hunting for is gay.

Re:Why?

[OmegaBlac]

By not using OS X, you negate the main factor behind buying a Mac in the first place - and in so doing significantly reduce its value when compared with equivilently priced PC hardware.

Steve Jobs is that you? Go choke on an ipod shuffle please.

Re:Use Ubuntu (Debian)

[Macphisto]

That's fantastic and I'm glad it's working out for you, but I don't think I'd cite as one of the benefits of my favourite operating environment that it runs *less* software.

Re:Article Text (just incase of slashdotting)

[Solder Fumes]

"Personally, I bought the Mac Mini as a replacement for my girlfriend's aging 1GHz Pentium-III system"

Aha! Here we have the TRUE purpose of the article: a geek bragging about having a girlfriend. And at a time of the year when most geeks weep silently into the pillow of their twin bed every night, fervently wishing they were Cloud in Final Fantasy IIV.

Re:Me?

[Anonymous Coward]

Remarkable how so many computers carry a non-working OS. You'd think people would get tired of using their PC's as very expensive paperweights.

Re:Why ?

[latroM]

Someone who wants to run a totally free system.

Re:Use Ubuntu (Debian)

[peterb]

Why run Linux on a Mac? I find that Linux has less to distract me from work.

Yeah, by running Linux on the mac mini, you get to completely avoid the unnecessary distractions of audio, bluetooth, wireless networking, or modems. Plus the screen driver's flickering will keep you from being distracted by smooth, high-quality graphics, and the annoying, error-prone install procedure will prevent you from getting distracted by having software that works, or being distracted by a GUI that doesn't suck.

Yeah, boy, what an incredible win.