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Here is a step-by-step guide to install Arch Linux on a 2012 Mac Mini. This guide assumes you're familiar with the Arch Linux installation process and provides clear steps tailored to your hardware configuration.

Step 1: Boot from Arch Linux Live USB

  1. Download the Arch Linux ISO from the official website.
  2. Create a bootable USB drive using the ISO.
  3. Insert the USB stick into the Mac Mini and power it on. Hold the Option key to access the boot menu.
  4. Select the Arch Linux boot option.

Step 2: Partition the Disk

Example of a partition table:

Partition Size Mount Point File System
/dev/sda1 512 MB /boot/efi vfat
/dev/sda2 50 GB / ext4
/dev/sda3 200 GB /home ext4
/dev/sda4 8 GB swap swap

  1. Start cfdisk to partition the disk:

    cfdisk /dev/sda

  2. Create the EFI partition (1GB):

    • Select the unallocated space, create a new partition of 1GB, and set the type to EFI System (type ef00).

  3. Create the Root partition (50GB):

    • Select the remaining space and create a partition of 50GB. Set the type to Linux filesystem (type 8300).

  4. Create the Home partition (155.47GB):

    • Create a partition of 155.47GB for /home.

  5. Create the Swap partition (32GB):

    • Create a 32GB partition and set the type to Linux swap (type 8200).

Step 3: Format the Partitions

  1. Format the EFI partition:

    mkfs.fat -F32 /dev/sda1

  2. Format the Root partition:

    mkfs.ext4 /dev/sda2

  3. Format the Home partition:

    mkfs.ext4 /dev/sda3

  4. Format the Swap partition:

    mkswap /dev/sda4

  5. Enable Swap:

    swapon /dev/sda4

Step 4: Mount the Partitions

  1. Mount the Root partition:

    mount /dev/sda2 /mnt

  2. Create and mount the Home partition:

    mkdir /mnt/home
mount /dev/sda3 /mnt/home

  3. Mount the EFI partition:

    mkdir /mnt/boot
mount /dev/sda1 /mnt/boot

Step 5: Install the Base System

  1. Install the base system:

    pacstrap /mnt base linux linux-firmware nano

  2. Generate fstab:

    genfstab -U /mnt >> /mnt/etc/fstab

  3. Change root into the installed system:

    arch-chroot /mnt

Step 6: Set Time Zone and Locale

  1. Set the time zone to New York City (adjust if needed):

    ln -sf /usr/share/zoneinfo/America/New_York /etc/localtime
hwclock --systohc

  2. Uncomment the en_US.UTF-8 locale in /etc/locale.gen:

    nano /etc/locale.gen
# Uncomment en_US.UTF-8 UTF-8

  3. Generate locales:

    locale-gen

  4. Set the system locale:

    echo LANG=en_US.UTF-8 > /etc/locale.conf

  5. Set the hostname:

    echo "linux" > /etc/hostname

  6. Configure /etc/hosts:

    nano /etc/hosts

    Add the following lines:

    127.0.0.1       localhost
::1             localhost
127.0.1.1       linux.localdomain linux

Step 7: Install Bootloader (EFI)

  1. Install the GRUB bootloader:

    pacman -S grub efibootmgr

  2. Install GRUB to the EFI partition:

    grub-install --target=x86_64-efi --efi-directory=/boot --bootloader-id=GRUB --recheck

  3. Generate the GRUB configuration:

    grub-mkconfig -o /boot/grub/grub.cfg

Step 8: Network Configuration

  1. Install NetworkManager and enable DHCP:

    pacman -S networkmanager

  2. Enable and start NetworkManager:

    systemctl enable NetworkManager
systemctl start NetworkManager

  3. Install Broadcom WiFi drivers (if applicable):

    pacman -Sy broadcom-wl
modprobe wl

Step 9: Enable Multilib Repository

To enable the multilib repository, uncomment the [multilib] section in /etc/pacman.conf:

nano /etc/pacman.conf

Scroll down and un-comment the [multilib] repo:

[multilib]
Include = /etc/pacman.d/mirrorlist

Step 10: Add User and Install sudo

  1. Create a new user (replace sayem with your username):

    useradd -m -g users -G wheel,storage,power,lp,network,audio,video,optical -s /bin/bash sayem
passwd sayem

  2. Install sudo:

    pacman -Sy sudo

  3. Allow the user to use sudo by editing the sudoers file:

    visudo

    Uncomment the line:

    %wheel ALL=(ALL) ALL

Step 11: Install Video Drivers

For Intel graphics on your Mac Mini, install the appropriate drivers:

pacman -S xf86-video-intel mesa

Step 12: Install GNOME (Graphical Environment)

  1. Install GNOME and GNOME extras:

    pacman -S gnome gnome-extra gdm

  2. Enable and start GDM (GNOME Display Manager):

    systemctl enable gdm

Step 13: Install yay (AUR Helper)

  1. Install base-devel and git if not already installed:

    pacman -S --needed base-devel git

  2. Clone and build yay (AUR helper):

    cd /home/sayem
git clone https://aur.archlinux.org/yay.git
cd yay
makepkg -si

Step 14: Reboot

  1. Exit chroot and unmount partitions:

    exit
umount -R /mnt
reboot

  2. Remove the USB stick, and the Mac Mini should boot into Arch Linux with GNOME.

Additional Setup (Optional)

  • Install additional software with pacman or yay for productivity, media, etc.
  • Configure hardware (Wi-Fi, touchpad, etc.) using pacman or AUR packages.

This installation guide should provide a solid Arch Linux setup on your 2012 Mac Mini with a graphical environment.