Can't answer your question, but why don't you want to install Linux directly onto the MBP?
My MBP is old, the trackpad and the battery are almot dead, and I don't want to spend $$$ on a new MBP just to setup a linux on it. I am sure there are good laptops around here I haven't been able to put my hands on.
It depends a lot more on the experience you want with your system. Do you want KDE or Gnome? Or something more sleek like openbox? (openbox with Cairo-dock can almost be used as a drop in mac clone) With KDE out of the box it usually will setup basic two finger scrolling and mouse gestures for the track pad.
I would just put linux mint on your mac book and call it done. It will support your hardware and you'll appreciate the form factor more.
This might be picking nits, but I can't think of any other company making a laptop with an aluminum unibody.