B1ll C
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: MacBook 4,1 - optimum OS X version?

Hi

 

I have a MacBook 4,1, Intel Core 2 Duo 2.1GhZ, with 1Gb RAM, running 10.5.8. I'd like to upgrade the OS as far as possible to extend the useful life of the machine, which is in good working order, as long as this won't compromise performance, which is currently excellent.

 

I have ordered a Snow Leopard 10.6.* upgrade. Should I also upgrade to Lion 10.7.*? My understanding is that the machine won't run Mountain Lion 10.8.*.

 

thanks for your help

 

Bill

MacBook

Posted on Dec 26, 2012 10:47 AM

by frederic1943,Solvedanswer
frederic1943 frederic1943
Level 6 (9,985 points)
A:

Once you are at 10.6.8 Lion is still available from Apple. You will have to call Apple Customer Care 1-800-692-7753 or 1-800-676-2775. to purchase it. Then within 3 days you will get an email with a code which you can use to download Lion from the App Store.  The price is $19.99.


Lion will require at least 2gb of RAM but really needs 4gb to run smoothly. The model 4,1 (Early 2008) can use 6gb of 200 pin 667mhz PC2-5300 RAM

 

As for third party programs see this list for compatibility with 10.7 http://roaringapps.com/apps:table

 

Also Lion doesn't run any Power PC programs. To see if you have any Power PC programs go to the Apple in the upper left corner and select About This Mac, then click on More Info. When System Profiler comes up select Applications under Software. Then look under Kind to see if any of your applications are listed as Power PC. Universal and Intel will run under Lion.


Before Mac switched to Intel processors in 2006 they used Power PC processors from 1994 to 2005. Power PC 601 through 604, G3, G4 and G5. Applications written for the Power PC processors need the application called Rosetta to run on Intel processors. This was part of the Operating System in 10.4 and 10.5 but was an optional install in 10.6. With 10.7 Lion Apple dropped all support for Power PC applications.

 

These are good online stores for Mac compatible RAM

OWC http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/memory/MacBook/DDR2/ - They offer Mac tested RAM at very good prices.

Crucial Memory http://www.crucial.com/ - good place to buy RAM from all over the world. They also have an excellent memory selector that allows you to choose memory based on your computer's model

Data Memory Systems http://www.datamemorysystems.com/apple-memory.asp - another good, cheap place to buying RAM if you live in the U.S.

Here are instructions on replacing RAM in a MacBook with a removable battery. http://homeoffice.consumerelectronicsnet.com/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=44404

 

If you don’t have the tools to open up the MacBook OWC has a set for $5.
http://eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/TOOLKITMHD/

Posted on Dec 26, 2012 11:39 AM

Close
B1ll C

Q: MacBook 4,1 - optimum OS X version?

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by shldr2thewheel,Helpful

    shldr2thewheel shldr2thewheel Dec 26, 2012 11:31 AM in response to B1ll C
    Level 7 (25,881 points)
    Dec 26, 2012 11:31 AM in response to B1ll C

    stay at 10.6. 2gb is the minimum ram requirements for 10.7

  • by tomsliwowski,Helpful

    tomsliwowski tomsliwowski Dec 26, 2012 11:34 AM in response to B1ll C
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Dec 26, 2012 11:34 AM in response to B1ll C

    I concur with shldr2thewheel, you loose a lot of backward compatibility when jumping to 10.7 and don't really get much in terms of new features or performance increases. I miss 10.6....

  • by frederic1943,Solvedanswer

    frederic1943 frederic1943 Dec 26, 2012 11:39 AM in response to B1ll C
    Level 6 (9,985 points)
    Dec 26, 2012 11:39 AM in response to B1ll C

    Once you are at 10.6.8 Lion is still available from Apple. You will have to call Apple Customer Care 1-800-692-7753 or 1-800-676-2775. to purchase it. Then within 3 days you will get an email with a code which you can use to download Lion from the App Store.  The price is $19.99.


    Lion will require at least 2gb of RAM but really needs 4gb to run smoothly. The model 4,1 (Early 2008) can use 6gb of 200 pin 667mhz PC2-5300 RAM

     

    As for third party programs see this list for compatibility with 10.7 http://roaringapps.com/apps:table

     

    Also Lion doesn't run any Power PC programs. To see if you have any Power PC programs go to the Apple in the upper left corner and select About This Mac, then click on More Info. When System Profiler comes up select Applications under Software. Then look under Kind to see if any of your applications are listed as Power PC. Universal and Intel will run under Lion.


    Before Mac switched to Intel processors in 2006 they used Power PC processors from 1994 to 2005. Power PC 601 through 604, G3, G4 and G5. Applications written for the Power PC processors need the application called Rosetta to run on Intel processors. This was part of the Operating System in 10.4 and 10.5 but was an optional install in 10.6. With 10.7 Lion Apple dropped all support for Power PC applications.

     

    These are good online stores for Mac compatible RAM

    OWC     http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/memory/MacBook/DDR2/ - They offer Mac tested RAM at very good prices.

    Crucial Memory http://www.crucial.com/ - good place to buy RAM from all over the world. They also have an excellent memory selector that allows you to choose memory based on your computer's model

    Data Memory Systems http://www.datamemorysystems.com/apple-memory.asp - another good, cheap place to buying RAM if you live in the U.S.

    Here are instructions on replacing RAM in a MacBook with a removable battery. http://homeoffice.consumerelectronicsnet.com/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=44404

     

    If you don’t have the tools to open up the MacBook OWC has a set for $5.
    http://eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/TOOLKITMHD/

  • by B1ll C,

    B1ll C B1ll C Dec 26, 2012 11:40 AM in response to shldr2thewheel
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 26, 2012 11:40 AM in response to shldr2thewheel

    many thanks - that's a good point about backward compatibility

  • by B1ll C,

    B1ll C B1ll C Dec 26, 2012 11:49 AM in response to shldr2thewheel
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 26, 2012 11:49 AM in response to shldr2thewheel

    many thanks - good point about memory - may upgrade to 4Gb

  • by B1ll C,

    B1ll C B1ll C Dec 26, 2012 11:50 AM in response to frederic1943
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 26, 2012 11:50 AM in response to frederic1943

    many thanks - used Crucial before so may try again

  • by Lasith Chamal,

    Lasith Chamal Lasith Chamal Sep 3, 2016 11:41 PM in response to B1ll C
    Level 1 (8 points)
    Sep 3, 2016 11:41 PM in response to B1ll C

    My macbook pro didn't show new software update my current software update is mac osx 10.5.8. So how can i update it to 10.6.8

    and my itunes is not working it show an error "Tunes requires QuickTime 7.5.5 or later. For more information on upgrading your computer, visit http://www.apple.com/quicktime" how i solve this.

  • by Lasith Chamal,

    Lasith Chamal Lasith Chamal Sep 3, 2016 11:45 PM in response to B1ll C
    Level 1 (8 points)
    Sep 3, 2016 11:45 PM in response to B1ll C

    My macbook pro didn't show new software update my current software update is mac osx 10.5.8. So how can i update it to 10.6.8

    and my itunes is not working it show an error "iTunes requires QuickTime 7.5.5 or later. For more information on upgrading your computer, visit http://www.apple.com/quicktime" how i solve this.

    Hardware Overview:

     

      Model Name: MacBook Pro

      Model Identifier: MacBookPro4,1

      Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo

      Processor Speed: 2.5 GHz

      Number Of Processors: 1

      Total Number Of Cores: 2

      L2 Cache: 6 MB

      Memory: 4 GB

      Bus Speed: 800 MHz

      Boot ROM Version: MBP41.00C1.B03

      SMC Version (system): 1.27f3

      Serial Number (system): W8831062YK0

      Hardware UUID: 4F9B7886-1C57-5A3D-A41A-74357C28539A

      Sudden Motion Sensor:

      State: Enabled