ThinkPad X230 MacOS with OpenCore

MacOS (Currently Big Sur) working on ThinkPad X230

Status: Stable

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 8GB DDR3L 1600MHz, dual-channel
Hard Disk	SanDisk SSD Plus 120GB
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	Dell DW1510 (BCM4322 in macOS)
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
OpenCore	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

  • MacBookPro9,2

• 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:

• USBMap

• Hackintool

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)

Use middle trackpoint button for scrolling

• Download Smart Scroll for macOS
• Install for all users
• Enable the don't move cursor when scrolling option

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)
• Brightness keys In most configs your max brightness in macOS won't be the max brightness of the panel, this is fixed here

What's not working ⚠️

• Fingerprint Reader
• VGA
• SD Card Reader (Disable with SSDT-SDC.aml)

Credits

banhbaoxamlan for the original x230 EFI

SkyrilHD for explaining OpenCore specifics to me

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