We're serious about the utility of quadruple-booting Macs, particularly with the 2020 MacBook Pro, but at the end of the day, this is all just something fun to do, instead of succumbing to existential dread . . .
Quadruple-Booting Macs
A Blast from the Past for Your Foreseeable Future
The easiest and most effective way to "Think quadratic." is to quadruple-boot an old Mac. This website can help you either purchase such a Mac or guide you through the process of configuring one you already own! There are several nuances in the possible configurations, so please read the Guides section carefully before starting the process or making any purchases. For overall performance, the 2020 MacBook Pro (16.2) is STRONGLY recommended. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out here, Discord, or Patreon!
One
Powerful Laptop
Four
Operating Systems
10+ Years
Serious Productivity
macOS
Windows
Linux
chromeOS
4x the OS's
4x the Benefits
Power
Sure, there are more powerful devices out there, but the "QuadBook Pro" is more than capable at handling the workload of the average Superuser.
Efficiency
Sure, there are more efficient devices out there, but the "QuadBook Pro" is more than suited for handling the workflow of the average Superuser.
Versatility
No, there are not more versatile devices out there, unless you're outside the US, where market segmentation is less of a concern for the average Superuser.
Stability
No, there are not more stable devices out there, because the "QuadBook Pro" can leverage all 4 OS's to maximize the productivity of the average Superuser.
Settng Records
And Breaking Them
Booting into all 4 of the major operating systems (macOS, Windows, Linux, and chromeOS) in less than 2 minutes on 1 laptop . . .
"The QuadBook Pro"
Use Case Scenarios
Infinite and Counting
When you prefer macOS, but have a document that was originally designed to print to PDF, but you can't set a PDF converter as the default printer in macOS - just virtualize the Windows partition.
Michael S.
The ability to develop in your preferred OS, test the software in that OS, AND then simply reboot into a different OS in order to test the software, all on the same computer - GAME CHANGER!
Robert L.
Being able to manage a network from all possible angles, to include replicating issues and leveraging the specialized tools within each OS, all on a single machine, is every administrator's dream.
Jake M.
When students are exposed to all possible environments in tech, they are better prepared when they enter the working world, hit the ground running, and stand out to their employers.
Alex P.
It's never been easier for solopreneurs to wear multiple hats, position themselves to capitalize on market trends, and turn every opportnity into revenue streams with the push of a button.
Carlos R.
When a client comes to you with "corrupted" project files and you amaze them right out the gate by simply opening the file in a different OS, you know you've not only got that sale, but a client for life.
Edward B.
For the casual gamer who's just playing for the fun of it all, what's better than being able to try both the latest games AND the classics, all on the same console, anytime, anywhere??
Daniel H.
Giving your employees a choice in which OS to complete their work, while maintaining operational workflows across the board with third-party platforms is an accelerant for any business.
Bryan G.
Easy as 1, 2, 3 . . . 4!
No Coding Experience Required
We've made step-by-step guides, both in
written and video formats, so that anyone
can "Think quadratic."
You've Got Questions
We've Got Answers
What's the point?
Can I quadruple-boot my Mac?
Pretty much every INTEL-BASED Mac can be configured to triple-boot with relative ease, but the addition of chromeOS creates multiple layers of complexity, and is highly hardware dependent. Check the Models tab for a breakdown of models guaranteed to quad-boot and others we'll be testing.
What's the best Mac to quadruple-boot?
Since "Think quadratic." is about balancing power and efficiency, and you really only need to be concerned with efficiency on laptops, the 2020 MacBook Pro is the most recommended. However, the 2018 Mac mini is likely to offer the most power of all quadruple-bootable macs.
Where can I get one?
You can buy a used Mac from the usual places online - we do an affiliates program for reputable resellers of Macs, but it's up to them keep their inventory up-to-date. From time-to-time, after we test various models, we may also have Macs availble for sale — just watch for the blinking light on the top of the homepage. If you do order from us, you have to let us know if you want it pre-configured to quadruple-boot or if you want to DIY it.
How much do they cost?
The price of a used Intel-Mac depends on which model and from where you purchase, but used, pristine, maxed-out 2020 MacBook Pros should NOT cost more than $1800. If you're wanting to purchase a Mac and configure it to quadruple-boot yourself, our affiliates are vetted and known for fair pricing and great customer service. Or, you can buy one preconfigured from us, when we have models available.
Which OS versions are required?
Whether you can install the latest updates of the four major OS's - macOS, Windows, Linux, and chromeOS - depends on what hardware you have and the manufacturer of that hardware (the guides indicate the maximum OS's with each model), but beyond that, particularly with Linux, the version is totally up to you. We highly recommend Ubuntu and our guides focus on Ubuntu.
Do I need to be a skilled coder?
All you really need to know is where to find the Terminal (in macOS and Linux) or Command Prompt (in Windows). You can just copy/paste commands from our guides after that, but it helps to also be familiar with basics of those commands, for which there are several resources out there.
How long will it last?
Again, depends on which model you have, but in general, Macs are known for their longevity, even though Apple is known for forcing obselesence. Macworld believes Macs tend to last eight to ten years. Our founder is making his 2020 MacBook Pro the last computer he ever uses.