Bigtex221

Q: Ready to upgrade older MacBok

Just boosted RAM on my older white MacBook.

I want to get to Mountain Lion -- or perhaps Lion.

Is this do-able? And how difficult is it?

 

Screen shot 2016-03-12 at 9.56.42 PM.png

MacBook, Mac OS X (10.6.8)

Posted on Mar 12, 2016 10:01 PM

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Q: Ready to upgrade older MacBok

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  • by QuickTimeKirk,

    QuickTimeKirk QuickTimeKirk Mar 13, 2016 4:59 AM in response to Bigtex221
    Level 9 (53,255 points)
    Mar 13, 2016 4:59 AM in response to Bigtex221

    You can purchase a redemption code for Lion or Mountain Lion at the Apple Store. The code is sent via email and you redeem it through the App Store.

  • by OGELTHORPE,

    OGELTHORPE OGELTHORPE Mar 13, 2016 6:01 AM in response to QuickTimeKirk
    Level 9 (52,556 points)
    Mac OS X
    Mar 13, 2016 6:01 AM in response to QuickTimeKirk

    Your Macbook will run Lion.  Any newer OSX depends upon the EXACT model/year Macbook that you have.  If you provide the model identifier (in System Profiler), the we can provide the correct information.

     

    Ciao.

  • by Eric Root,

    Eric Root Eric Root Mar 13, 2016 7:28 AM in response to Bigtex221
    Level 9 (72,904 points)
    iTunes
    Mar 13, 2016 7:28 AM in response to Bigtex221

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

     

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

     

          MacBook (Late 2008 Aluminum, or Early 2009 or newer) model number 5,1 or higher        

     

          MacBook Pro (Mid/Late 2007 or newer) model number 3,1 or higher

     

    Your Mac needs:

     

          OS X v10.6.8 or OS X Lion already installed

     

          2 GB or more of memory (More is better - 4 GB minimum seems to be the consensus)

     

          8 GB or more of available space

                     

    Check to make sure your applications are compatible. PowerPC applications are no longer supported after 10.6.      

     

    Application Compatibility

     

    Applications Compatibility (2)


     

    El Capitan 10.11 Compatibility information

     

    Do a backup before installing, preferable 2 backups on 2 different drives.

     

    Computer Compatibility - Lion                       Lion


  • by Bigtex221,

    Bigtex221 Bigtex221 Mar 13, 2016 7:33 AM in response to Bigtex221
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Desktops
    Mar 13, 2016 7:33 AM in response to Bigtex221

    I have:  MacBook Pro (Mid/Late 2007 or newer) model number 3,1 and am running 10.6.8 (Snow Leopard, I believe.)

     

    Is it worth upgrading to Lion? From what I've read, this is not a free upgrade.

  • by OGELTHORPE,

    OGELTHORPE OGELTHORPE Mar 13, 2016 7:42 AM in response to Bigtex221
    Level 9 (52,556 points)
    Mac OS X
    Mar 13, 2016 7:42 AM in response to Bigtex221

    A model identifier 3,1 Macbook is limited to Lion OSX (!0.7).  Should you choose to install Lion, it will cost $20 and can be purchased from the Apple online store:

     

    http://www.apple.com/shop/product/D6106Z/A/os-x-lion

     

    A possible downside of installing Lion is that PPC applications are not supported on Lion:

     

    https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-6841

     

    You might have to find upgrades or substitutes.

     

    My rule of thumb is that an OSX upgrade is only necessary if you have an important application that requires it.  Otherwise the upgrade is an elective.

     

    Ciao.

  • by Bigtex221,

    Bigtex221 Bigtex221 Mar 13, 2016 7:50 AM in response to Bigtex221
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Desktops
    Mar 13, 2016 7:50 AM in response to Bigtex221

    I'm finding Safari that comes with 10.6.8 (Safari 5, I believe) is somewhat outdated so I will probably upgrade to Lion.

    Is it necessary to do a backup before I upgrade?

  • by BobHarris,

    BobHarris BobHarris Mar 13, 2016 7:51 AM in response to Bigtex221
    Level 6 (19,628 points)
    Mac OS X
    Mar 13, 2016 7:51 AM in response to Bigtex221

    You can ONLY upgrade to Lion 10.7, and I advise against upgrading

    <http://www.everymac.com/mac-answers/os-x-el-capitan-faq/os-x-el-capitan-compatib le-macs-system-requirements.html>

     

    I have a similar (slightly older) White MacBook2,1, 2GHz, 2GB, and it is much happier running Snow Leopard 10.6.8, than when I upgraded it to Lion 10.7.whatever.

     

    Yes Lion cost $20 (US), which is not too much if you really want to try Lion, but as I said, when I tried Lion on my Macbook it struggled.

  • by OGELTHORPE,

    OGELTHORPE OGELTHORPE Mar 13, 2016 9:23 AM in response to Bigtex221
    Level 9 (52,556 points)
    Mac OS X
    Mar 13, 2016 9:23 AM in response to Bigtex221

    Bigtex221 wrote:

    Is it necessary to do a backup before I upgrade?

    If everything goes as planned, user data does not get affected by the installation of a new OSX.  But you cannot rely on that so do backup your data first.

     

    BobHarris has given you some advice based on experience  which is always good to have.

     

    Let me suggest a couple of things.  Your Macbook can accept up to 6 GB RAM.  If you choose to install Lion, get a 4 GB RAM module from OWC or Crucial, the best sources for Mac compatible RAM.

     

    Clone your current HDD to an external HDD prior to the Lion installation.  If it turns out that you experience the same issues that BobHarris mentions, you can revert to Snow Leopard very easily.

     

    Ciao.