Translation(s): none

DebianOn is an effort to document how to install, configure and use Debian on some specific hardware. Therefore potential buyers would know if that hardware is supported and owners would know how get the best out of that hardware.

The purpose is not to duplicate the Debian Official Documentation, but to document how to install Debian on some specific hardware.

If you need help to get Debian running on your hardware, please have a look at our user support channels where you may find specific channels (mailing list, IRC channel) dedicated to certain types of hardware.

Models covered
Apple MAcBook Air 5.1 (Mid-2012)

Sub-model (MODEL REFERENCE NUMBER A1465) options :
- Processor: Intel Core i7 3667U "Ivy Bridge"
- Video card: Intel HD Graphics 4000
- Screen size 11" 1366x768 pixel
- Wireless card:
- Hard-disk 251 GB SSD
- RAM: 8GB PC3-12800 (1600MHz) DDR3L

Overall Status

Core Components
Boot Standard Kernel:
LAN network card:
Detect CD/DVD:
Detect hard drives:
Extra Features
CPU Frequency Scaling	[?]
Hibernation
Sleep / Suspend
Xorg
- OpenGL	[?]
- Resize-and-Rotate(randr)	[-]
Switch to External Screen	$/!\$
Mouse
- Built-in (Trackpoint)	[?]
- Built-in (Touchpad)
Modem	[?]
Wireless/Wifi
Keyboard's Hotkeys

Legend :
= OK ; Unsupported(No Driver) ; $/!\$ = Error (Couldn't get it working); [?] Unknown, Not Test ; [-] Not-applicable
= Configuration Required; = Only works with a non-free driver and or firmware

Important Note

This configuration is as close as possible to a single-boot system. Using EFI-partitioned systems without a boot manager is not recommended because EFI firmware updates could become rather complex. Installed boot manager is rEFInd (had been installed when still under OS X). A bootable OS X system is kept on an external disk for this purpose.
The availability of the USB-attached Ethernet adapter (not the Thunderbolt Gbps version!) is key to success during installation.

Configuration

Boot manager installation

The installation of the boot manager has to be done while system is still running OS X. The installation should be done directly into EFI partiton, see http://blog.felipe-alfaro.com/2006/09/19/installing-refit-on-the-hidden-efi-system-partition/ about that topic. rEFInd is recommended as boot manager, rEFIt did not alwas work, install rEFInd as recommended by http://www.rodsbooks.com/refind/ using the --esp flag.

Partitioning

Recommended: do the partitioning when still using OS X using gdisk.

Ouptput of sudo /dev/sda:

GPT fdisk (gdisk) version 0.8.5

Partition table scan:
  MBR: protective
  BSD: not present
  APM: not present
  GPT: present

Found valid GPT with protective MBR; using GPT.

Command (? for help): p
Disk /dev/sda: 490234752 sectors, 233.8 GiB
Logical sector size: 512 bytes
Disk identifier (GUID): INTENTIONALLY REMOVED
Partition table holds up to 128 entries
First usable sector is 34, last usable sector is 490234718
Partitions will be aligned on 8-sector boundaries
Total free space is 13 sectors (6.5 KiB)

Number  Start (sector)    End (sector)  Size       Code  Name
   1              40          409639   200.0 MiB   EF00  EFI System Partition
   2          409640          933927   256.0 MiB   0700  BOOT
   3          933928       490234711   233.3 GiB   0700  LINUX

Display

Internal display: works on first run without problems
MacBook Air screen control keys on MBA keyboard: working
Cold-start switching to external screen (attached over Thunderbolt VGA adapter): working
Hot-plug switching to external screen (attached over Thunderbolt VGA adapter): working
Cold-start switching to external VGA projector (under regular user profile): working, but still error! system freezes when pulling VGA adapter out
Hot-plug switching to external VGA prpjector (over Thunderbolt VGA adapter, regular user profile): error! screen freezes, reboot necessary
Cold-start switching to external VGA projector (over Thunderbolt VGA adapter, under root profile): working
Hot-plug switching to external VGA projector (over Thunderbolt VGA adapter, root profile): working

Am still scratchting my head on that one, the search goes on - good ideas are highly welcome $:\$

Audio

MacBook Air audio control keys on MBA keyboard: working Earphones (incl switch from and to-): working
Integrated microphone: working

Mouse

USB attached cord-mouse (2 buttons with roll-wheel): fully supported
Apple Magic Mouse (cordless): not tested

Power Management

Sleep mode / resume when lid is closed: working
Hibernation mode / resume: working

WiFi

WiFi requires additional, non-free firmware: firmware-brcm80211.

System Summary

lspci

lspci

00:00.0 Host bridge: Intel Corporation 3rd Gen Core processor DRAM Controller (rev 09)
00:02.0 VGA compatible controller: Intel Corporation 3rd Gen Core processor Graphics Controller (rev 09)
00:14.0 USB controller: Intel Corporation 7 Series/C210 Series Chipset Family USB xHCI Host Controller (rev 04)
00:16.0 Communication controller: Intel Corporation 7 Series/C210 Series Chipset Family MEI Controller #1 (rev 04)
00:1a.0 USB controller: Intel Corporation 7 Series/C210 Series Chipset Family USB Enhanced Host Controller #2 (rev 04)
00:1b.0 Audio device: Intel Corporation 7 Series/C210 Series Chipset Family High Definition Audio Controller (rev 04)
00:1c.0 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation 7 Series/C210 Series Chipset Family PCI Express Root Port 1 (rev c4)
00:1c.1 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation 7 Series/C210 Series Chipset Family PCI Express Root Port 2 (rev c4)
00:1c.4 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation 7 Series/C210 Series Chipset Family PCI Express Root Port 5 (rev c4)
00:1d.0 USB controller: Intel Corporation 7 Series/C210 Series Chipset Family USB Enhanced Host Controller #1 (rev 04)
00:1f.0 ISA bridge: Intel Corporation QS77 Express Chipset LPC Controller (rev 04)
00:1f.2 SATA controller: Intel Corporation 7 Series Chipset Family 6-port SATA Controller [AHCI mode] (rev 04)
00:1f.3 SMBus: Intel Corporation 7 Series/C210 Series Chipset Family SMBus Controller (rev 04)
02:00.0 Network controller: Broadcom Corporation BCM43224 802.11a/b/g/n (rev 01)


lspci -nn

00:00.0 Host bridge [0600]: Intel Corporation 3rd Gen Core processor DRAM Controller [8086:0154] (rev 09)
00:02.0 VGA compatible controller [0300]: Intel Corporation 3rd Gen Core processor Graphics Controller [8086:0166] (rev 09)
00:14.0 USB controller [0c03]: Intel Corporation 7 Series/C210 Series Chipset Family USB xHCI Host Controller [8086:1e31] (rev 04)
00:16.0 Communication controller [0780]: Intel Corporation 7 Series/C210 Series Chipset Family MEI Controller #1 [8086:1e3a] (rev 04)
00:1a.0 USB controller [0c03]: Intel Corporation 7 Series/C210 Series Chipset Family USB Enhanced Host Controller #2 [8086:1e2d] (rev 04)
00:1b.0 Audio device [0403]: Intel Corporation 7 Series/C210 Series Chipset Family High Definition Audio Controller [8086:1e20] (rev 04)
00:1c.0 PCI bridge [0604]: Intel Corporation 7 Series/C210 Series Chipset Family PCI Express Root Port 1 [8086:1e10] (rev c4)
00:1c.1 PCI bridge [0604]: Intel Corporation 7 Series/C210 Series Chipset Family PCI Express Root Port 2 [8086:1e12] (rev c4)
00:1c.4 PCI bridge [0604]: Intel Corporation 7 Series/C210 Series Chipset Family PCI Express Root Port 5 [8086:1e18] (rev c4)
00:1d.0 USB controller [0c03]: Intel Corporation 7 Series/C210 Series Chipset Family USB Enhanced Host Controller #1 [8086:1e26] (rev 04)
00:1f.0 ISA bridge [0601]: Intel Corporation QS77 Express Chipset LPC Controller [8086:1e56] (rev 04)
00:1f.2 SATA controller [0106]: Intel Corporation 7 Series Chipset Family 6-port SATA Controller [AHCI mode] [8086:1e03] (rev 04)
00:1f.3 SMBus [0c05]: Intel Corporation 7 Series/C210 Series Chipset Family SMBus Controller [8086:1e22] (rev 04)
02:00.0 Network controller [0280]: Broadcom Corporation BCM43224 802.11a/b/g/n [14e4:4353] (rev 01)

lsusb

lsusb -v | grep -E '\<(Bus|iProduct|bDeviceClass|bDeviceProtocol)' 2>/dev/null

Bus 001 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
  bDeviceClass            9 Hub
Couldn't open device, some information will be missing
  bDeviceProtocol         1 Single TT
  iProduct                2 
Bus 002 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0003 Linux Foundation 3.0 root hub
  bDeviceClass            9 Hub
  bDeviceProtocol         3 
  iProduct                2 
Bus 003 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
  bDeviceClass            9 Hub
  bDeviceProtocol         0 Full speed (or root) hub
  iProduct                2 
Couldn't open device, some information will be missing
Bus 004 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
  bDeviceClass            9 Hub
  bDeviceProtocol         0 Full speed (or root) hub
  iProduct                2 
Bus 001 Device 002: ID 05e3:0608 Genesys Logic, Inc. USB-2.0 4-Port HUB
  bDeviceClass            9 Hub
  bDeviceProtocol         1 Single TT
  iProduct                1 
Bus 003 Device 002: ID 8087:0024 Intel Corp. Integrated Rate Matching Hub
  bDeviceClass            9 Hub
  bDeviceProtocol         1 Single TT
Couldn't open device, some information will be missing
Couldn't open device, some information will be missing
  iProduct                0 
Couldn't open device, some information will be missing
Bus 004 Device 002: ID 8087:0024 Intel Corp. Integrated Rate Matching Hub
  bDeviceClass            9 Hub
  bDeviceProtocol         1 Single TT
  iProduct                0 
Bus 002 Device 002: ID 1058:1048 Western Digital Technologies, Inc. 
  bDeviceClass            0 (Defined at Interface level)
  bDeviceProtocol         0 
  iProduct                2 
      (Bus Powered)
Couldn't open device, some information will be missing
Bus 001 Device 004: ID 1058:1048 Western Digital Technologies, Inc. 
  bDeviceClass            0 (Defined at Interface level)
  bDeviceProtocol         0 
  iProduct                2 
      (Bus Powered)
Bus 001 Device 005: ID 15ca:00c3 Textech International Ltd. Mini Optical Mouse
  bDeviceClass            0 (Defined at Interface level)
  bDeviceProtocol         0 
  iProduct                2 
      (Bus Powered)
Couldn't open device, some information will be missing
Bus 003 Device 003: ID 05ac:8510 Apple, Inc. 
  bDeviceClass          239 Miscellaneous Device
  bDeviceProtocol         1 Interface Association
  iProduct                2 
      (Bus Powered)
Couldn't open device, some information will be missing
Bus 004 Device 003: ID 0424:2512 Standard Microsystems Corp. USB 2.0 Hub
Couldn't open device, some information will be missing
  bDeviceClass            9 Hub
  bDeviceProtocol         2 TT per port
  iProduct                0 
Couldn't open device, some information will be missing
Bus 004 Device 004: ID 0a5c:4500 Broadcom Corp. BCM2046B1 USB 2.0 Hub (part of BCM2046 Bluetooth)
  bDeviceClass            9 Hub
  bDeviceProtocol         0 Full speed (or root) hub
  iProduct                2 
Bus 004 Device 005: ID 05ac:024a Apple, Inc. 
  bDeviceClass            0 (Defined at Interface level)
  bDeviceProtocol         0 
  iProduct                2 
      (Bus Powered)
Couldn't open device, some information will be missing
Bus 004 Device 008: ID 05ac:821f Apple, Inc. 
  bDeviceClass          255 Vendor Specific Class
  bDeviceProtocol         1 
  iProduct                2

Resources

Attachments

Output of dmidecode:

        Type: Central Processor
        Family: Other
        Manufacturer: Intel(R) Corporation
        ID: A9 06 03 00 FF FB EB BF
        Version: Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-3667U CPU @ 2.00GHz
        Voltage: 0.8 V
        External Clock: 25 MHz
        Max Speed: 2000 MHz
        Current Speed: 2000 MHz
        Status: Populated, Enabled
        Upgrade: ZIF Socket
        L1 Cache Handle: 0x000C
        L2 Cache Handle: 0x000D
        L3 Cache Handle: 0x000E
        Serial Number: Not Specified
        Asset Tag: Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-3667U CPU @ 2.00GHz
        Part Number: Not Specified

Handle 0x000B, DMI type 7, 19 bytes
Cache Information
        Socket Designation: Unknown
        Configuration: Enabled, Not Socketed, Level 1
        Operational Mode: Write Back
        Location: Internal
        Installed Size: 32 kB
        Maximum Size: 32 kB
        Supported SRAM Types:
                Asynchronous
        Installed SRAM Type: Asynchronous
        Speed: Unknown
        Error Correction Type: Single-bit ECC
        System Type: Other
        Associativity: 16-way Set-associative

Handle 0x000C, DMI type 7, 19 bytes
Cache Information
        Socket Designation: Unknown
        Configuration: Enabled, Not Socketed, Level 1
        Operational Mode: Write Back
        Location: Internal
        Installed Size: 32 kB
        Maximum Size: 32 kB
        Supported SRAM Types:
                Asynchronous
        Installed SRAM Type: Asynchronous
        Speed: Unknown
        Error Correction Type: Single-bit ECC
        System Type: Unknown
        Associativity: 16-way Set-associative

Handle 0x000D, DMI type 7, 19 bytes
Cache Information
        Socket Designation: Unknown
        Configuration: Enabled, Not Socketed, Level 2
        Operational Mode: Write Back
        Location: Internal
        Installed Size: 256 kB
        Maximum Size: 256 kB
        Supported SRAM Types:
                Asynchronous
        Installed SRAM Type: Asynchronous
        Speed: Unknown
        Error Correction Type: Single-bit ECC
        System Type: Instruction
        Associativity: 16-way Set-associative

Handle 0x000E, DMI type 7, 19 bytes
Cache Information
        Socket Designation: Unknown
        Configuration: Enabled, Not Socketed, Level 3
        Operational Mode: Write Back
        Location: Internal
        Installed Size: 4 kB
        Maximum Size: 4 kB
        Supported SRAM Types:
                Asynchronous
        Installed SRAM Type: Asynchronous
        Speed: Unknown
        Error Correction Type: Single-bit ECC
        System Type: Instruction
        Associativity: <OUT OF SPEC>

Handle 0x000F, DMI type 4, 35 bytes
Processor Information
        Socket Designation: U2E1
        Type: Central Processor
        Family: Other
        Manufacturer: Intel(R) Corporation
        ID: A9 06 03 00 FF FB EB BF
        Version: Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-3667U CPU @ 2.00GHz
        Voltage: 0.8 V
        External Clock: 25 MHz
        Max Speed: 2000 MHz
        Current Speed: 2000 MHz
        Status: Populated, Enabled
        Upgrade: ZIF Socket
        L1 Cache Handle: 0x0011
        L2 Cache Handle: 0x0012
        L3 Cache Handle: 0x0013
        Serial Number: Not Specified
        Asset Tag: Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-3667U CPU @ 2.00GHz
        Part Number: Not Specified

Handle 0x0010, DMI type 7, 19 bytes
Cache Information
        Socket Designation: Unknown
        Configuration: Enabled, Not Socketed, Level 1
        Operational Mode: Write Back
        Location: Internal
        Installed Size: 32 kB
        Maximum Size: 32 kB
        Supported SRAM Types:
                Asynchronous
        Installed SRAM Type: Asynchronous
        Speed: Unknown
        Error Correction Type: Single-bit ECC
        System Type: Other
        Associativity: 16-way Set-associative

Handle 0x0011, DMI type 7, 19 bytes
Cache Information
        Socket Designation: Unknown
        Configuration: Enabled, Not Socketed, Level 1
        Operational Mode: Write Back
        Location: Internal
        Installed Size: 32 kB
        Maximum Size: 32 kB
        Supported SRAM Types:
                Asynchronous
        Installed SRAM Type: Asynchronous
        Speed: Unknown
        Error Correction Type: Single-bit ECC
        System Type: Unknown
        Associativity: 16-way Set-associative

Handle 0x0012, DMI type 7, 19 bytes
Cache Information
        Socket Designation: Unknown
        Configuration: Enabled, Not Socketed, Level 2
        Operational Mode: Write Back
        Location: Internal
        Installed Size: 256 kB
        Maximum Size: 256 kB
        Supported SRAM Types:
                Asynchronous
        Installed SRAM Type: Asynchronous
        Speed: Unknown
        Error Correction Type: Single-bit ECC
        System Type: Instruction
        Associativity: 16-way Set-associative

Handle 0x0013, DMI type 7, 19 bytes
Cache Information
        Socket Designation: Unknown
        Configuration: Enabled, Not Socketed, Level 3
        Operational Mode: Write Back
        Location: Internal
        Installed Size: 4 kB
        Maximum Size: 4 kB
        Supported SRAM Types:
                Asynchronous
        Installed SRAM Type: Asynchronous
        Speed: Unknown
        Error Correction Type: Single-bit ECC
        System Type: Instruction
        Associativity: <OUT OF SPEC>

Handle 0x0014, DMI type 16, 15 bytes
Physical Memory Array
        Location: System Board Or Motherboard
        Use: System Memory
        Error Correction Type: None
        Maximum Capacity: 8 GB
        Error Information Handle: Not Provided
        Number Of Devices: 2

Handle 0x0015, DMI type 130, 186 bytes
OEM-specific Type
        Header and Data:
                82 BA 15 00 16 00 00 00 B0 00 92 11 0B 03 04 21
                02 01 03 52 01 08 0A 00 FE 00 69 78 69 30 69 11
                18 81 20 08 3C 3C 00 F0 83 05 00 00 00 00 00 00
                00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
                00 00 00 00 00 00 0F 11 05 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
                00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
                00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
                00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 80
                AD 01 00 00 00 00 00 00 1F 42 48 4D 54 34 35 31
                53 36 4D 46 52 38 41 2D 50 42 20 20 4E 30 80 AD
                00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
                00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00

Handle 0x0016, DMI type 17, 27 bytes
Memory Device
        Array Handle: 0x0014
        Error Information Handle: No Error
        Total Width: Unknown
        Data Width: Unknown
        Size: 4096 MB
        Form Factor: SODIMM
        Set: None
        Locator: DIMM0
        Bank Locator: BANK 0
        Type: DDR3
        Type Detail: Synchronous
        Speed: 1600 MHz
        Manufacturer: 0x80AD
        Serial Number: 0x00000000
        Asset Tag: Unknown
        Part Number: 0x484D5434353153364D465238412D50422020

Handle 0x0017, DMI type 130, 186 bytes
OEM-specific Type
        Header and Data:
                82 BA 17 00 18 00 00 00 B0 00 92 11 0B 03 04 21
                02 01 03 52 01 08 0A 00 FE 00 69 78 69 30 69 11
                18 81 20 08 3C 3C 00 F0 83 05 00 00 00 00 00 00
                00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
                00 00 00 00 00 00 0F 11 05 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
                00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
                00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
                00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 80
                AD 01 00 00 00 00 00 00 1F 42 48 4D 54 34 35 31
                53 36 4D 46 52 38 41 2D 50 42 20 20 4E 30 80 AD
                00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
                00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00

Handle 0x0018, DMI type 17, 27 bytes
Memory Device
        Array Handle: 0x0014
        Error Information Handle: No Error
        Total Width: Unknown
        Data Width: Unknown
        Size: 4096 MB
        Form Factor: SODIMM
        Set: None
        Locator: DIMM0
        Bank Locator: BANK 1
        Type: DDR3
        Type Detail: Synchronous
        Speed: 1600 MHz
        Manufacturer: 0x80AD
        Serial Number: 0x00000000
        Asset Tag: Unknown
        Part Number: 0x484D5434353153364D465238412D50422020

Handle 0x0019, DMI type 19, 15 bytes
Memory Array Mapped Address
        Starting Address: 0x00000000000
        Ending Address: 0x001FFFFFFFF
        Range Size: 8 GB
        Physical Array Handle: 0x0014
        Partition Width: 0

Handle 0x001A, DMI type 0, 24 bytes
BIOS Information
        Vendor: Apple Inc.
        Version: MBA51.88Z.00EF.B02.1211271028
        Release Date: 11/27/2012
        ROM Size: 8192 kB
        Characteristics:
                PCI is supported
                BIOS is upgradeable
                BIOS shadowing is allowed
                Boot from CD is supported
                Selectable boot is supported
                ACPI is supported
                IEEE 1394 boot is supported
                Smart battery is supported
                Function key-initiated network boot is supported
        BIOS Revision: 0.1

Handle 0x001B, DMI type 1, 27 bytes
System Information
        Manufacturer: Apple Inc.
        Product Name: MacBookAir5,1
        Version: 1.0
        Serial Number: INTENTIONALLY REMOVED
        UUID: INTENTIONALLY REMOVED
        Wake-up Type: Power Switch
        SKU Number: System SKU#
        Family: MacBook Air

Handle 0x001C, DMI type 2, 16 bytes
Base Board Information
        Manufacturer: Apple Inc.
        Product Name: Mac-66F35F19FE2A0D05
        Version: MacBookAir5,1
        Serial Number: INTENTIONALLY REMOVED
        Asset Tag: Base Board Asset Tag#
        Features:
                Board is a hosting board
                Board is replaceable
        Location In Chassis: Part Component
        Chassis Handle: 0x001D
        Type: Motherboard
        Contained Object Handles: 0

Handle 0x001D, DMI type 3, 21 bytes
Chassis Information
        Manufacturer: Apple Inc.
        Type: Notebook
        Lock: Not Present
        Version: Mac-66F35F19FE2A0D05
        Serial Number: INTENTIONALLY REMOVED
        Asset Tag: Not Specified
        Boot-up State: Safe
        Power Supply State: Safe
        Thermal State: Other
        Security Status: Other
        OEM Information: 0x00000000
        Height: Unspecified
        Number Of Power Cords: Unspecified
        Contained Elements: 0

Handle 0x001E, DMI type 8, 9 bytes
Port Connector Information
        Internal Reference Designator: None
        Internal Connector Type: None
        External Reference Designator: USB0
        External Connector Type: Access Bus (USB)
        Port Type: USB

Handle 0x001F, DMI type 8, 9 bytes
Port Connector Information
        Internal Reference Designator: None
        Internal Connector Type: Other
        External Reference Designator: Mini DisplayPort
        External Connector Type: None
        Port Type: Other

Handle 0x0020, DMI type 8, 9 bytes
Port Connector Information
        Internal Reference Designator: None
        Internal Connector Type: Other
        External Reference Designator: Microphone
        External Connector Type: None
        Port Type: Other

Handle 0x0021, DMI type 8, 9 bytes
Port Connector Information
        Internal Reference Designator: None
        Internal Connector Type: Other
        External Reference Designator: Speaker
        External Connector Type: None
        Port Type: Other

Handle 0x0022, DMI type 8, 9 bytes
Port Connector Information
        Internal Reference Designator: None
        Internal Connector Type: None
        External Reference Designator: MagSafe DC Power
        External Connector Type: Other
        Port Type: Other

Handle 0x0023, DMI type 8, 9 bytes
Port Connector Information
        Internal Reference Designator: SATA Port A
        Internal Connector Type: On Board IDE
        External Reference Designator: None
        External Connector Type: None
        Port Type: Other

Handle 0x0024, DMI type 8, 9 bytes
Port Connector Information
        Internal Reference Designator: None
        Internal Connector Type: None
        External Reference Designator: Audio Line Out
        External Connector Type: Mini Jack (headphones)
        Port Type: Audio Port

Handle 0x0025, DMI type 9, 13 bytes
System Slot Information
        Designation: AirPort
        Type: x1 PCI Express
        Current Usage: Available
        Length: Short
        ID: 0
        Characteristics:
                3.3 V is provided
                Hot-plug devices are supported
                SMBus signal is supported

Handle 0x0026, DMI type 9, 13 bytes
System Slot Information
        Designation: Thunderbolt Slot 1
        Type: 32-bit PCI
        Current Usage: Available
        Length: Long
        ID: 2
        Characteristics:
                3.3 V is provided
                PME signal is supported
                Hot-plug devices are supported
                SMBus signal is supported

Handle 0x0027, DMI type 9, 13 bytes
System Slot Information
        Designation: Thunderbolt Slot 2
        Type: 32-bit PCI
        Current Usage: Available
        Length: Long
        ID: 3
        Characteristics:
                3.3 V is provided
                PME signal is supported
                Hot-plug devices are supported
                SMBus signal is supported

Handle 0x0028, DMI type 9, 13 bytes
System Slot Information
        Designation: Thunderbolt Slot 3
        Type: 32-bit PCI
        Current Usage: Available
        Length: Long
        ID: 4
        Characteristics:
                3.3 V is provided
                PME signal is supported
                Hot-plug devices are supported
                SMBus signal is supported

Handle 0x0029, DMI type 9, 13 bytes
System Slot Information
        Designation: Thunderbolt Slot 4
        Type: 32-bit PCI
        Current Usage: Available
        Length: Long
        ID: 5
        Characteristics:
                3.3 V is provided
                PME signal is supported
                Hot-plug devices are supported
                SMBus signal is supported

Handle 0x002A, DMI type 10, 6 bytes
On Board Device Information
        Type: Video
        Status: Enabled
        Description: Integrated Video Controller

Handle 0x002B, DMI type 10, 6 bytes
On Board Device Information
        Type: Sound
        Status: Enabled
        Description: Azalia Audio Codec

Handle 0x002C, DMI type 10, 6 bytes
On Board Device Information
        Type: Ethernet
        Status: Enabled
        Description: Not Specified

Handle 0x002D, DMI type 10, 6 bytes
On Board Device Information
        Type: Other
        Status: Enabled
        Description: SATA

Handle 0x002E, DMI type 11, 5 bytes
OEM Strings
        String 1: Apple ROM Version.  BIOS ID:      MBA51.  Built by:     root@sa
        String 2: umon.  Date:         Tue Nov 27 10:28:56 PST 2012.  Revision:  
        String 3:    svn 28439 (B&I).  Buildcave ID: 1111.  ROM Version:  00EF_B0

Handle 0x002F, DMI type 12, 5 bytes
System Configuration Options

Handle 0x0030, DMI type 13, 22 bytes
BIOS Language Information
        Language Description Format: Long
        Installable Languages: 1
                <BAD INDEX>
        Currently Installed Language: Not Specified

Handle 0x0031, DMI type 22, 32 bytes
Portable Battery
        Location: Unknown
        Manufacturer: Unknown
        Manufacture Date: Unknown
        Serial Number: Unknown
        Name: Unknown
        Design Capacity: Unknown
        Design Voltage: Unknown
        SBDS Version: Unknown
        Maximum Error: Unknown
        SBDS Chemistry: Unknown
        OEM-specific Information: 0x00000000

Handle 0x0032, DMI type 32, 20 bytes
System Boot Information
        Status: No errors detected

Handle 0x0033, DMI type 131, 6 bytes
OEM-specific Type
        Header and Data:
                83 06 33 00 04 07

Handle 0x0034, DMI type 128, 88 bytes
OEM-specific Type
        Header and Data:
                80 58 34 00 04 00 00 00 37 F5 01 E0 37 FF 03 E0
                02 00 00 03 00 00 00 00 00 00 99 FF FF FF B2 FF
                00 00 B3 FF FF FF B5 FF 00 00 B6 FF FF FF DF FF
                00 00 E7 FF FF FF E9 FF 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
                00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
                00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00

Handle 0xFFFD, DMI type 127, 4 bytes
End Of Table

Some configuration files and sample outputs.

Useful Links

A humorous and detailed guide to install Debian on a MBA, was probably my most trusted source: http://www.adventuresinoss.com/?p=2516
A solid guide for a dual-boot installation on a MBA 3.1: http://dentifrice.poivron.org/laptops/macbookair3,1/
How to install rEFIt/rEFInd directly into EFI partition: http://blog.felipe-alfaro.com/2006/09/19/installing-refit-on-the-hidden-efi-system-partition/
The rEFInd manual: http://www.rodsbooks.com/refind/
Some nice little tricks about hardware management: http://alexandre.delanoe.org/blog/archives/2012/10/index.html
USeful insights to the Thunderbolt problem: https://zignar.net/2012/12/20/linux-on-a-macbook-air/
A solid guide (Archlinux on a MBA 4.2) which shows the right seuence to do things: http://d.goodlad.net/articles/arch_linux_on_mba_42/
For the courageous only! An inspiration about trying to boot without bootmanager (I did not try it): http://d.goodlad.net/articles/arch_linux_on_mba_42/

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InstallingDebianOnAppleMacBookAir5-1