Your old Mac is too pretty
for a drawer
Apple no longer updates your Intel Mac ? It's slow, Safari grumbles, some sites act up ? No panic: under that aluminium, it still has good years left. We give it a second youth.
The drawer-Mac syndrome
We know the tune: you love your Mac, you could never part with it… so it sleeps in a drawer «just in case». The problem isn't it — it's that Apple eventually stops updating older models. macOS gets stuck, Safari ages, and one day your bank or a government site politely tells you that «your browser is no longer supported».
Meanwhile the hardware — that lovely screen, the keyboard, the machined aluminium — is still excellent. Bit of a shame, isn't it ?
What we do (spoiler: it'll feel younger)
We install Linux Mint + the NOLAM Adagio accessibility layer on your Mac. The result:
- Often faster than before — Linux is light; a Mac that crawled under the latest macOS gets its pep back.
- Compatible with the modern web, like new — Firefox up to date, so banking, mail and government sites let you in without a fuss.
- Secure for years — automatic, discreet security updates.
- Your habits kept — a bar at the bottom like a dock, your photos, your documents, and a display set up for you (text, cursor, contrast) thanks to Adagio.
- Sovereign, no Big Tech — your data stays with you, in Switzerland.
Which Macs ?
| Your Mac | Verdict |
|---|---|
| Intel Mac ~2012–2017 (MacBook, Air, Pro, iMac, mini) | 🟢 The ideal playground. An easy second life. |
| Intel Mac 2018–2020 (T2 security chip) | 🟡 Possible, a bit more technical — we check together. |
| Apple Silicon Mac (M1, M2, M3…) | 🔵 Still young ! Keep macOS, we don't touch it. |
And my Apple habits ?
Let's be honest, it's nicer that way: the native Apple apps (iMessage, FaceTime) don't run on Linux. But iCloud stays accessible from the web (icloud.com), and everything else — mail, web, photos, office, e-banking — works perfectly. We look at your usage together before going ahead: if Linux suits you, off we go; if not, we tell you straight. We can even keep macOS alongside (dual boot), in case you feel nostalgic.
💬 Full transparency: Linux Mint and NOLAM Adagio are free. You pay for installation and support. On an older Mac, we often recommend replacing the old hard drive (or Fusion Drive) with an SSD — that's what turns a sluggish machine into a lively one. A small hardware cost, always announced clearly up front — no surprises.
More of a Windows 10 PC ? We do the same : a second life for your PC →
Frequently asked questions
Is my Mac really done for ?
No, and that's the whole point. It's not your Mac giving up, it's macOS that eventually stops updating it. The hardware is often excellent — especially the aluminium Intel Macs from 2012 to 2017.
Does Linux really work on a Mac ?
Yes. And a pleasant surprise: an Intel Mac that crawled under the latest macOS often becomes faster with Linux Mint, lighter. It feels years younger.
Do I keep my photos and files ?
Yes. We back everything up first and put it back: photos, documents, bookmarks. Nothing is lost.
What about iCloud, iMessage, my Apple apps ?
Let's be honest: native Apple apps (iMessage, FaceTime) don't run on Linux. But iCloud stays accessible from the web (icloud.com), and mail, web, office and banking all work perfectly. We look at your usage together before going ahead.
Which Macs are concerned ?
Macs with an Intel processor (ideally 2012–2017): perfect. The 2018–2020 models with a T2 chip: possible, checked case by case. Apple Silicon Macs (M1, M2, M3…): those are still young, keep macOS — we don't touch them.
Bring your Mac back to life
Tell us the model (and the year if you know it) — we'll tell you honestly what's possible.