HT201364: OS X Mavericks system requirements

Learn about OS X Mavericks system requirements
phantomg

Q: Cannot upgrade to Maverick

I have a MacAir purchased in Nov 2008. It has 2 GB RAM and OS X 10.6.8. However, when I click on OS X Maverick upgrade, it says cannot upgrade. Any idea why? Thanks.

MacBook Air, Mac OS X (10.6.8)

Posted on Sep 25, 2014 9:24 AM

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Q: Cannot upgrade to Maverick

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  • by gumsie,Helpful

    gumsie gumsie Sep 25, 2014 9:52 AM in response to phantomg
    Level 4 (2,174 points)
    Sep 25, 2014 9:52 AM in response to phantomg

    What does the message say exactly?

    At the top of this page is a link that says, Learn about OS X Mavericks System Requirements. I suspect that although you may have purchased it in late 2008 it doesn’t actually mean it’s a late 2008 model. Your Mac is probably too old.

     

    If you go>

    Utiltiies> System Profiler> Hardware

     

    You’ll see an entry next to Model Identifier, what is it?

  • by dianeoforegon,

    dianeoforegon dianeoforegon Sep 25, 2014 10:21 AM in response to phantomg
    Level 5 (5,753 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 25, 2014 10:21 AM in response to phantomg

    After you find the Model Identifier, go to this page:

    http://support.apple.com/specs/

    Copy the Serial number in the "Search Tech Specs" search box. This will take you to the info on your computer. You can also check to see how much RAM you can install.


    While 2GB RAM is the minimum recommended, I suggest you upgrade your RAM to 4GB or higher. Otherwise you might be better off in Snow Leopard.

  • by Eric Root,Helpful

    Eric Root Eric Root Sep 25, 2014 10:25 AM in response to phantomg
    Level 9 (73,793 points)
    iTunes
    Sep 25, 2014 10:25 AM in response to phantomg

    Check that your computer is compatible with Mountain Lion/Mavericks.


    To check the model number hold down the option/alt key, go to the Apple menu and select System Information.

     

    • MacBook Air (Late 2008 or newer) model number 2,1 or higher
  • by phantomg,

    phantomg phantomg Sep 25, 2014 11:07 PM in response to gumsie
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 25, 2014 11:07 PM in response to gumsie

    Model Identifier: MacBookAir1,1

  • by Lanny,

    Lanny Lanny Sep 25, 2014 11:23 PM in response to phantomg
    Level 6 (8,041 points)
    Desktops
    Sep 25, 2014 11:23 PM in response to phantomg

    Sorry, but the MacBook Air1,1 is limited to OS X Lion. The model was introduced in January 2008, so it's not called a Late 2008 MacBook Air.

     

    The dates used are for model introduction, not dates of purchase. The Late 2008 MacBook Air2,1 was introduced in October 2008.

  • by Lanny,

    Lanny Lanny Sep 25, 2014 11:26 PM in response to dianeoforegon
    Level 6 (8,041 points)
    Desktops
    Sep 25, 2014 11:26 PM in response to dianeoforegon

    While 2GB RAM is the minimum recommended, I suggest you upgrade your RAM to 4GB or higher. Otherwise you might be better off in Snow Leopard.

    MacBook Air RAM is not upgradable.