# HRF Burner Laptops

###### tags: `old bc-interns projects`

Assembly of burner laptops with Qubes installed in local driv, or TailOS from USB, for overseas interns and HRF activitsts with difficulty obtaining computers due to import taxes or other restrictions

## Notes

Parts to be shipped to Ian in Tulsa, OK for assembly

## Macintosh Models tested with TailOS 4.19

* Mac Book Air 11", Late 2010, A1370 MC906LL/A ([details](https://everymac.com/systems/apple/macbook-air/specs/macbook-air-core-2-duo-1.6-11-late-2010-specs.html))
* 4GB RAM available, RAM not upgradable, typically 128GB SSD, SSD is upgradable, 1366 by 768 display
* Pros: works with TailsOS, is quite small and portable, bootable to macOS, mini-displayport to 2560x1600
* Cons: USB 2.0, no Thunderbolt 1, slow to boot TailsOS, max stable MacOS High Sierra 10.13.X

* MacBook Air 11" ( Mid 2011, A1370, MD214LL/A, Mac 3,1) https://support.apple.com/kb/sp631

* MacBook Air 13", Mid 2012, A1466 MD846LL/A ([details](https://everymac.com/systems/apple/macbook-air/specs/macbook-air-core-i7-2.0-13-mid-2012-specs.html))
* 4GB RAM standard, 8GB Available, RAM not upgradable, typically 256GB SSD, SSD is upgradable, 1440x900 display
* Pros: works with TailsOS, thin and portable, bootable to macOS Catalina, Intel Core i7 (reasonable speed), USB-3!, Thunderbolt 1, mini-displayport to 2 x 2560x1600
* Cons: Few. max stable MacOS Catalina 10.15.X Catalina, making it suitable for iOS Development

## Fails

* MacBook 13" 2013
* TailOS will boot, but this model the wifi will not function, requiring ethernet Thunderbolt adapter. Possibly useful with external wifi via USB — unknown.

## Selected Model

Mac Book Air 13", Mid 2012, A1466 MD846LL/A

Why this model?

The nost importantly factor is this model is inexpensive, popular, very commonly available worldwide, and leveraging TailsOS from USB it is easily easily "deniable" — you can install a relatively current MacOS (Catalina) with no personal data on it and palm the USB Thumbdrive or SD-Card. The fact that it is so thin that it can fit in a manila envelope (without the power supply) is also a useful feature — the power supply is common and can be obtained seperately.

In particular, this model is a solid laptop for the major secure linux distributions, as other than the wifi card all the drivers are quite standard. This model is one of first MacBook Air's to support the reasonably fast USB 3.0, and it it runs cleanly TailOS from both the USB slots and SD-card. In addition, it is one of the few Mac devices fully rated for use with Qubes on the internal drive, or alternatively Whonix from a VM running on a relatively current version of MacOS (Catalina). It will also run most Debian-base distributions (though some like Debian or Qubes you may have to remove Broadcom WiFi card to initally install, then restore the wifi card and install the non-open source broadcom drivers later).

Despite being over a decade old, due to its popularity there are large quantities of this model available and parts, batteries, and other upgrades are still available. It is available with 4GB and 8GB RAM (which is unfortnately not-upgradable) but the SSD is upgradeable to 1TB, making it even suitable as a Bitcoin full node. MacOS Catalina is recent enough it can also be used as a Mac & iOS development machine (though a bit slow).

The wifi is 802.11a/b/g/n, on this unit can be removed for Air Gap scenarios. This model also also support Thunderbolt 1 inteface for reasonably fast external drive access (bootable!), use with 2x external monitors, firewire devices, etc.

Get one on eBay with 8GB RAM if you can (as that can't be upgraded) but 4GB is sufficient for TailsOS, but don't pay a lot for 512K SSD (the largest Apple offered) as you can upgrade that to 1TB with OWL. Many used units will have poor battery quality, so watch for that or be prepared to purchase a battery replacement.

Buy It Nows with recent or new batteries are typically in the $300-350 range.
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=A1466+mid+2012+8GB

## Parts

Batteries: ~$25-$35
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=A1466+battery