[Guide] Install Catalina on the Dell Optiplex 7010 and 9010 Desktop PC

[trs96]

I found a 9020, with a IntelHD4600. Will that work?

Yes, best to get the HD4600 which is fully supported. Read the Dell Optiplex 9020 thread in Golden Builds for more advice and background info.

 

[trs96]

TP-Link USB Wifi Adapter - Archer T2U Plus
​

These are now available on Amazon.com at a price of $18.72
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07P5PRK7J/?tag=tonymacx86com-20

The SFF and MT versions of the Optiplex 7010/9010 do not have a mini PCIe slot for a Wifi/BT card.

Here are the advantages of going with a USB Wifi* solution:

1. Works in any usb port of your Dell Optiplex​
2. Saves one of your PCIe slots for add in cards ​
3. Speeds are fairly close to what you'll get with wired ethernet​

Disadvantages: Not natively supported. Realtek based. No Bluetooth so you'd need a separate BT dongle.

You will need to download and install the driver for Catalina from the TP-Link site

Download for Archer T2U Plus | TP-Link

TP Link - Download Center Detail

www.tp-link.com

I've also attached it as a zip file at the end of this post.

* Provides Wifi only not Bluetooth. A separate BT USB dongle would be required.

Natively supported Broadcom Wifi/BT cards are the best choice if you need both Wifi and BT. Those will let you enable the Continuity and Handoff features of macOS. The non-native USB wifi dongles like the T2U Plus do not.

 

[patriciocs]

Hello, I did an in place upgrade and everything went great. Just make sure to update Clover (backup EFI Partition, then delete everything in EFI Partition and lastly install last version of Clover), copy all kext to EFI Partition and delete it from system.

Just a couple of questions: is there another system definition owners of Optiplex 7010 (i5) could use besides Macmini 6,1 and 6,2?

And if I upgrade my processor from i5 to i7 3770 do I need to change my System Definition from my current Mac mini 6,1 to 6,2? if yes, what effect will this have in my system? must I get a new serial number, etc or I can use the same one I have now?

 

[trs96]

if I upgrade my processor from i5 to i7 3770 do I need to change my System Definition from my current Mac mini 6,1 to 6,2?

No need to change it. 6,1 or 6,2 works fine with an i7-3770.

is there another system definition owners of Optiplex 7010 (i5) could use besides Macmini 6,1 and 6,2?

Some people use iMac 13,2 instead of 6,1 or 6,2. Mac mini SysDef is the best choice because it's optimal for USB port function. If you do change the System Def. it is required that you generate new serials because it's then a completely different Mac.

 

[p1plup]

Thank you for the nice guide. I also have a 9020MT i7-4790 (not K) like the one in your signature (the 4790k in my signature is a self-build, not Dell). But, I am planning to get an RX 570 to save $$$.

Do you think that the 570 setup will be similar to your 580? If I only need 1 screen and don't game, do you think the iGPU of that generation is fine for full-screen video streaming?

 

[trs96]

Do you think that the 570 setup will be similar to your 580? If I only need 1 screen and don't game, do you think the iGPU of that generation is fine for full-screen video streaming?

There's not much difference between the 570/580. If you don't do any gaming the HD4600 works well for video streams.

 

[p1plup]

Thank you kindly for the reply.

Still in denial about the state of my 980Ti, which I use only occasionally for games when I boot into Windows (it still plays everything I play at max, so not looking to upgrade at this time).

 

[serious]

Thank you kindly for the reply.

Still in denial about the state of my 980Ti, which I use only occasionally for games when I boot into Windows (it still plays everything I play at max, so not looking to upgrade at this time).

I can confirm the RX570 4gb works like a charm. Just need to use flat Sata connections as the card runs over the Sata ports. A little tight on the front USB header but otherwise great card for dual boot and gaming.

 

[Ni6htWalker]

awesome thread!!do you think this is a good option to buy https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077D4SFMF/?tag=tonymacx86com-20

 

[trs96]

awesome thread!!do you think this is a good option to buy https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077D4SFMF/?tag=tonymacx86com-20

It is the DT (desktop) model and not the SFF that the seller listed on Amazon, if the have the correct picture.