Enchanted1

Q: OPERATING SYSTEM UPGRADE/BROWSER

I have a mid 2010 Mac laptop with 10.6.8 OS, Memory 4GB,  Safari is no longer supported, is that enough memory to support a new OS and Browser?I use Entourage as for my email which is part of a very old version of Microsoft office.

iMac (17-inch Late 2006), Mac OS X (10.4.11)

Posted on Aug 10, 2016 9:03 AM

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Q: OPERATING SYSTEM UPGRADE/BROWSER

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  • by macjack,

    macjack macjack Aug 10, 2016 9:11 AM in response to Enchanted1
    Level 9 (55,694 points)
    Mac OS X
    Aug 10, 2016 9:11 AM in response to Enchanted1

    Hi Enchanted. Yes, that is enough RAM. (8GB would be better) Generally speaking, you should always upgrade to the latest possible system that you meet the specs for, as long as you have no “must have” apps that do not meet the specs. Upgrades and updates contain important security improvements plus additional features.

    https://support.apple.com/kb/sp728?locale=en_US

     

    Before upgrading:

    1. Backup. Anything can happen at any time,, so you should always keep a good backup. Make a bootable clone SuperDuper! or CarbonCopy Cloner or use TimeMachine.

    2. If you have issues on your present system don't compound them by installing over them. Solve them first then upgrade.

    3 Check HDD for free space. At least 8.8GB of available storage. Preferably much more.

    4. Check your applications for compatibility here…http://roaringapps.com/apps.

    5. Disconnect all peripherals, including USB hubs.

    6. After downloading the installer, it will be in /Applications folder. Duplicate it and then drag the copy it to another locations like Downloads, if you want to save the installer.

    7. Be patient, the download takes a long time and the install may look like it has died at times. Ignore it.

  • by MichelPM,

    MichelPM MichelPM Aug 10, 2016 7:33 PM in response to Enchanted1
    Level 6 (13,769 points)
    iPad
    Aug 10, 2016 7:33 PM in response to Enchanted1

    You could simply just change to a supported web browser.

     

    You can still use and update Mozilla Firefox until sometime in upcoming late August when support for 10.6-10.8 will end and either stretch out using the last full updated version until the end of the year.

     

    https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/desktop/

     

    OR

     

    Look at SeaMonkey.

     

    http://www.seamonkey-project.org/

     

    OR

     

    Waterfox.

     

    https://www.waterfoxproject.org/

     

    Some users are stating that you can keep using Mozilla Firefox as Mozilla will keep issuing security updates for the last full update until mid 2017. Mozilla will issues ESR (security) updates to the last OS X10.6-10.8 version of Firefox, but no new features.

     

    Good Luck!

  • by Eric Root,

    Eric Root Eric Root Aug 11, 2016 7:49 AM in response to Enchanted1
    Level 9 (71,210 points)
    iTunes
    Aug 11, 2016 7:49 AM in response to Enchanted1

    Also check to make sure there is a compatible driver for your printer.

     

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

  • by Phil0124,

    Phil0124 Phil0124 Aug 11, 2016 8:08 AM in response to MichelPM
    Level 7 (27,375 points)
    iPhone
    Aug 11, 2016 8:08 AM in response to MichelPM

    I would avoid FF. As support is being dropped this month for 10.6, 10.7, and 10.8

    https://blog.mozilla.org/futurereleases/2016/04/29/update-on-firefox-support-for -os-x/

     

    I would in all honestly, upgrade the RAM to 8GB, and then update to El Capitan as long as there are no Apps that may require Rosetta or that might not run on El Capitan, and that are required to function.

     

    Also while Entourage may continue to work on El Capitan (Office 2008) still works. It would be a good idea to think about updating to Outlook or some other e-mail client now.

  • by MichelPM,

    MichelPM MichelPM Aug 11, 2016 11:26 AM in response to Phil0124
    Level 6 (13,769 points)
    iPad
    Aug 11, 2016 11:26 AM in response to Phil0124

    I am continuing to run and use OS X 10.6.8, 10.8.5 and Firefox for as others keep pointing out that Mozilla is going to keep issuing ESF security updates to the last full update version of Firefox. Security updates that are supposedly going to keep coming well into 2017.

     

    There won't be any new features added to version 48, but, at least, Mozilla will keep this version secure for awhile longer.

     

    Also, there are two other supported web browsers that are still supporting OS X 10.6.8-10.8  as I, already listed.

     

    Also, Google is still quiet on when they will stop letting 10.6-10.8 versions of Apple Mail work with GMail, but Mozilla is continuing support with their mail client Thunderbird.

    I have Thunderbird mail client waiting in the wings for when that may happen

    So, I really do not think it is truly panic time for worrying about compatible web browsers for these OS X versions, yet.

    And some other new team of open source developers could create a continuing supported browser where Mozilla left off ala like TenFourFox web browser for OS X 10.4 and 10.5.

    Not really panicking about any of this.

    There are still alternatives out there if older OS X users want or need to stay put where they are.

  • by a brody,

    a brody a brody Aug 20, 2016 8:41 AM in response to Enchanted1
    Level 9 (66,865 points)
    Classic Mac OS
    Aug 20, 2016 8:41 AM in response to Enchanted1

    See this tip on upgrading:

     

    http://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-6271