How to run a mid-2012 retina MacBook Pro safely in 2024?

Question

Question in title. I bought this computer from my iPhone while on a walk, while still watching the keynote (I think it was the first post-Steve keynote). It was so obviously the right choice. And I have used it for over a decade. Sadly, Catalina stopped getting updates a while ago, so ostensibly I should close the lid and forget it exists. But, man, it's a nice laptop. I mean, it's just delightful.I see someone using one from time to time and I'm actually envious. I have pretty much every macbook since and I still like the original retina MacBook sooo much. How do I safely use this? Can I use it around the house in my little walled garden intranet? If I take it out of the house, is there some hotspot I can put between it and the world?

wkat4242 · Accepted Answer

Linux is the only reliable way. I think boot camp drivers only support up to windows 8 and even 10 is out of support soon anyway.Like the other poster I also didn't really have great experiences with opencore legacy patcher (in my case on a 2010 15" mbp). It's nice for a machine you're just messing around on but when you really care about security I don't think I'd rely on it.

java-man · Answer

I recently installed Linux Mint on a Mac Book Pro.So far the only problem I encountered is unability to easily configure the keyboard to emit function key codes when pressing the function keys. I am sure there are more things like that. The trackpad works fine.

watersb · Answer

I'm running Sonoma on mine with OpenCore Legacy Patcher.
https://dortania.github.io/OpenCore-Legacy-Patcher/
.
Anything that hits the discrete nVidia GPU causes it to instantly pop up to 95 degrees C and the fans sound like a hair dryer. It's probably cooked the thermal interface compound on the GPU; I should just fix that but haven't bothered yet.
Heavy, doesn't hold much of a charge, but still an Apple calibrated Retina display make for a nice couch computer.

GianFabien · Answer

I was running Debian Bookworm on a 2009 MBP until earlier this year. It finally gave up the ghost, but what a great innings. Replaced batteries twice and installed a SSD in place of the original HD.