Old Macbook Pro as HTPC

Zeki · 22nd August 2012, 4:18 PM

Hello,

I have one of the original Macbook Pro sitting in a box in my cupboard, I was wondering if with some new RAM it might make a viable HTPC?

It has the following:

Intel Core Duo 2Ghz Processor

1Gb 667Mhz Ram (Can upgrade to 2Gb, 1066Mhz Ram)

Radeon X1600 Graphics Card.

DVI output and Mini-Optical to get Video and Sound out.

I used to play vanilla WoW on this and watch DVDs, so I know it can handle that. But would it struggle on 1080p H.264 etc files?

I don't really know what is minimum requirements these days. If I can I would probably install OpenELEC on it, in favor of the old OS X Snowleopard it has on it currently.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Jazper · 22nd August 2012, 6:34 PM

2ghz should be enough to play 1080, dont forget that the graphics card can take some of the load. Worst case you can grab a crystalhd decoder off eBay and replace the wireless card with it.

You won't need more ram, unless you go for an updated OS x version(snow leopard requires 2gig).
You will need a bootloader if you choose to go Linux, but your flavor of Linux will run, just google Linux on Mac

raisinberry777 · 22nd August 2012, 7:25 PM

That graphics card has no support for decoding, honestly, I reckon you're better off just selling that and building a new box with that money.

Zeki · 22nd August 2012, 7:40 PM

LoL, it is not in good condition

I think I would be lucky to get $100 for it. Ah well for now it can stream some music from my main computer.

I can't even install the newest iTunes, Chrome or Divx Plus Web Player on it the OS is too old.

I'll have a look at installing Ubuntu or OpenELEC. At some point.

Jazper · 22nd August 2012, 11:12 PM

Seriously, 2ghz should handle 1080p, not much in the way of headroom, but it can do it.

Chuck a lightweight os on it an you will be fine.

silenthunter · 23rd August 2012, 12:29 PM

load openelec onto an SD card and give it a go, 15 minutes work, come back and let us know. I don't think you'll have any issues personally.

Zeki · 26th August 2012, 7:56 PM

Thanks for the help guys,

Been flat out. Now I am trying to learn how to install Openelec onto the Mac. Apparently there needs to be coding and stuff? Last time I tried to install Ubuntu I just made a USB and booted from it and installed to a HDD. (was a windows comp though)

Anyone know a simple way here?

Jazper · 27th August 2012, 8:22 AM

Google rEFIt

Zeki · 2nd September 2012, 12:04 PM

Quick update. I have got Openelec Running, internet, sound and DVI output working. External HDD works. Just need to add a few repositories to the damn thing and off I go.

bmb · 3rd October 2012, 6:56 PM

Hi,

Can you tell me how you installed openelec on a mac?
My mac won't boot from the usb stick.

Thanks.

22nd August 2012, 4:18 PM	#1
Zeki Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Northern Brisbane Posts: 107	Old Macbook Pro as HTPC Hello, I have one of the original Macbook Pro sitting in a box in my cupboard, I was wondering if with some new RAM it might make a viable HTPC? It has the following: Intel Core Duo 2Ghz Processor 1Gb 667Mhz Ram (Can upgrade to 2Gb, 1066Mhz Ram) Radeon X1600 Graphics Card. DVI output and Mini-Optical to get Video and Sound out. I used to play vanilla WoW on this and watch DVDs, so I know it can handle that. But would it struggle on 1080p H.264 etc files? I don't really know what is minimum requirements these days. If I can I would probably install OpenELEC on it, in favor of the old OS X Snowleopard it has on it currently. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Last edited by Zeki; 22nd August 2012 at 4:21 PM.

3rd October 2012, 6:56 PM	#10
bmb New Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 1	Hi, Can you tell me how you installed openelec on a mac? My mac won't boot from the usb stick. Thanks. Last edited by bmb; 3rd October 2012 at 7:27 PM.

22nd August 2012, 6:34 PM	#2
Jazper Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Melbourne Australia Posts: 1,768	2ghz should be enough to play 1080, dont forget that the graphics card can take some of the load. Worst case you can grab a crystalhd decoder off eBay and replace the wireless card with it. You won't need more ram, unless you go for an updated OS x version(snow leopard requires 2gig). You will need a bootloader if you choose to go Linux, but your flavor of Linux will run, just google Linux on Mac

22nd August 2012, 7:40 PM	#4
Zeki Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Northern Brisbane Posts: 107	LoL, it is not in good condition I think I would be lucky to get $100 for it. Ah well for now it can stream some music from my main computer. I can't even install the newest iTunes, Chrome or Divx Plus Web Player on it the OS is too old. I'll have a look at installing Ubuntu or OpenELEC. At some point.

22nd August 2012, 11:12 PM	#5
Jazper Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Melbourne Australia Posts: 1,768	Seriously, 2ghz should handle 1080p, not much in the way of headroom, but it can do it. Chuck a lightweight os on it an you will be fine.

23rd August 2012, 12:29 PM	#6
silenthunter Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Melbourne Posts: 2,573	load openelec onto an SD card and give it a go, 15 minutes work, come back and let us know. I don't think you'll have any issues personally.

26th August 2012, 7:56 PM	#7
Zeki Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Northern Brisbane Posts: 107	Thanks for the help guys, Been flat out. Now I am trying to learn how to install Openelec onto the Mac. Apparently there needs to be coding and stuff? Last time I tried to install Ubuntu I just made a USB and booted from it and installed to a HDD. (was a windows comp though) Anyone know a simple way here?

27th August 2012, 8:22 AM	#8
Jazper Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Melbourne Australia Posts: 1,768	Google rEFIt

2nd September 2012, 12:04 PM	#9
Zeki Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Northern Brisbane Posts: 107	Quick update. I have got Openelec Running, internet, sound and DVI output working. External HDD works. Just need to add a few repositories to the damn thing and off I go.