/X230-Hackintosh

MacOS Catalina and Big Sur on ThinkPad X230

Primary LanguageASLMIT LicenseMIT

ThinkPad X230 MacOS with OpenCore

MacOS (Currently Catalina 10.15.7 and Big Sur 11.2) working on ThinkPad X230

Status: Work In Progress

ThinkPad release OpenCore MacOS Catalina MacOS Big Sur

DISCLAIMER: Read the entire README before you start. I am not responsible for any damages you may cause.

Introduction

My hardware
Specifications Detail
Computer model Lenovo ThinkPad X230 (Type: 2325)
Processor Intel Core i5-3380M (2C4T, 2.9/3.6Ghz, 3MB)
Memory Crucial 16GB DDR3L 1600MHz, dual-channel
Hard Disk Samsung 860 Evo 250GB
Integrated Graphics Intel HD Graphics 4000
Display 12.5" HD (1366x768) IPS
Audio Realtek ALC3202 (Layout-id: 18)
Ethernet Intel 82579LM Gigabit Network Connection
WIFI+BT AzureWave AW-CE123H (BCM94352HMB)
Keyboard 7-row classic, multimedia Fn keys,
Dock ThinkPad Mini Dock Plus Series 3
Hardware compatibility

This EFI will suit any X230 regardless of CPU model, amount of RAM, display resolution, and internal storage.

  1. Optional custom CPU Power Management guide (see below post-install)
  2. Modified
    • 1440p display models should change NVRAM>>Add>>7C436110-AB2A-4BBB-A880-FE41995C9F82>>UIScale: 2
Main software
Component Version
MacOS Big Sur 11.2
MacOS Catalina 10.15.7
OpenCore 0.6.6
Kernel extensions
Kext Version
AirportBrcmFixup 2.1.1
AppleALC 1.5.7
BrcmPatchRAM 2.5.5
EFICheckDisabler 0.5.0
IntelMausi 1.0.5
Lilu 1.5.1
USBInjectAll 0.7.1
VirtualSMC 1.2.0
VoodooPS2Controller 2.2.1
WhateverGreen 1.4.7
UEFI drivers
Driver Version
OpenHfsPlus.efi OpenCorePkg 0.6.6
OpenCanopy.efi OpenCorePkg 0.6.6
OpenRuntime.efi OpenCorePkg 0.6.6

Installation

How to install macOS

To install macOS follow the guides provided by Dortania

Useful tools by CorpNewt and headkaze

Complete EFI is available in the releases page

BIOS settings 💯

A simple method to install a modified BIOS is available here (no external programmer required).

Main Sub #1 Sub #2 Sub #3 Setting
Config Network Wake On Lan Disabled
Serial ATA (SATA) Mode AHCI
Security Security Chip Disabled
Memory Protection Execution Prevention Enabled
Anti-Theft Current Setting Disabled
Computrace Current Setting Disabled
Secure Boot Disabled
Startup UEFI/Legacy Boot UEFI Only
CSM Support Disabled

Post-install

Generate your own SMBIOS

For setting up the SMBIOS info, use GenSMBIOS

  • Run GenSMBIOS, pick option 1 for downloading MacSerial and Option 3 for selecting out SMBIOS

    • MacBookPro10,2
    • MacBookPro11,5 (Big Sur dropped support 10,x and older)

  • Open Config.plist, find PlatformInfo >> Generic

    • The Serial part gets copied to SystemSerialNumber.

    • The Board Serial part gets copied to MLB.

    • The SmUUID part gets copied to SystemUUID.

Reminder that you want either an invalid serial or valid serial numbers but those not in use, you want to get a message back like: "Invalid Serial" or "Purchase Date not Validated" Apple Check Coverage

CPU power management

Recommended additional steps to improve battery life with optimized CPU power management:

  • Open Config.plist, enable ACPI>>Delete : Drop CpuPm and Drop Cpu0Ist

  • Open Terminal, copy and paste the following command:

    curl -o ~/ssdtPRGen.sh https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Piker-Alpha/ssdtPRGen.sh/master/ssdtPRGen.sh
chmod +x ~/ssdtPRGen.sh
./ssdtPRGen.sh

  • A customized SSDT.aml for your specific machine will now be in the directory /Users/yourusername/Library/ssdtPRGen

  • Rename to SSDT-PM.aml , and copy to EFI/OC/ACPI/

  • Open Config.plist, enable ACPI>>Add>>SSDT-PM.aml

  • Reboot

USB ports map

If you are using different model and alternative kext from Other folder does not work for you. Try:

Fully functioning multimedia Fn keys
  • Download and install ThinkpadAssistant
  • Open the app and check the launch on login option
Use PrtSc key as Screenshot shortcut
  • Go under SystemPreferences > Keyboard > Shortcuts > Screenshots
  • Click on Screenshot and recording options key map
  • Press PrtSc on your keyboard (it should came out as F13)

Status

What's working ✅
  • Battery Percentage
  • Bluetooth
  • Brightness
  • Camera
  • CPU Power Management
  • Dock Support ThinkPad UltraSeries 3
  • GPU Intel HD 4000 Graphics QE/CI
  • Intel Ethernet
  • Keyboard Volume and brightness hotkeys
  • Sleep/Wake
  • Sound Automatic headphone detection, mute, volume controls fully working
  • Touchpad 1-4 fingers swipe works
  • TrackPoint Works perfectly. Just like on Windows or Linux
  • eGPU (Thanks lese9855 have confirmed it #11)
What's not working ⚠️
  • Fingerprint Reader
  • VGA
  • SD Card Reader (Disable with SSDT-SDC.aml)
Bug tracker ❗
  • Trackpoint not working after wake from sleep

Credits

Apple for macOS

Acidanthera for all the kexts/utilities that they made

Rehabman and Daliansky for the patches and guides and kexts

George Kushnir for modified BIOS

Dortania for for the OpenCore Install Guide

MSzturc for ThinkpadAssistant

simprecicchiani for inspirational ThinkPad configurations