bookman1953

Q: Macbook 2008 El Capitan or Mavericks

I am purchasing a refurbished Macbook 2008. It is a 13.3 " screen with 2.4GHZ. I have a choice of El Capitan, Yosemite or Mavericks. Should I go with Mavericks or El Capitan? I have a friend who has upgraded to El Capitan with his 2008. I have also heard some who have said they will never upgrade to El Capitan and will stay with Mavericks. Since I have this choice, should I choose El Capitan or Mavericks? I basically will be using this laptop for Keynote presentations.It would be nice to go out on the Internet to look for info needed for presentations. Thanks for the help! bookman

iWorks, Mac OS X (10.7.5)

Posted on Sep 25, 2016 10:25 PM

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Q: Macbook 2008 El Capitan or Mavericks

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  • by OGELTHORPE,Helpful

    OGELTHORPE OGELTHORPE Sep 26, 2016 5:51 AM in response to bookman1953
    Level 9 (52,521 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 26, 2016 5:51 AM in response to bookman1953

    I am assuming that your Macbook is a late 2008 model.

     

    Unless you have had Mavericks installed in a different computer and it is in your App store account, you will not be able to use it because it is no longer available.  That meas El Capitan would be your only choice.

     

    Since this Macbook is new to you, you will have to install the original OSX (Leopard) or Snow Leopard to get the Macbook associated with your Apple ID.  This is necessary so that you can install application updates (including the OSX)

     

    You will need this disk:

     

    http://www.apple.com/shop/product/MC573Z/A/mac-os-x-106-snow-leopard

     

    Then run the Snow Leopard Combo Update:

     

    https://support.apple.com/kb/dl1399?locale=en_US

     

    This now will allow you to install Mavericks (assuming you have a copy in your App Store account) Or El Capitan.

     

    Ciao.

  • by bookman1953,

    bookman1953 bookman1953 Sep 26, 2016 6:01 AM in response to OGELTHORPE
    Level 1 (8 points)
    Desktops
    Sep 26, 2016 6:01 AM in response to OGELTHORPE

    Thanks for the info. Unfortunately it didn't answer my question. Don't get me wrong, the info was good if that was my problem. It isn't. Maybe I didn't pose my question in a good way. Anyway, here is more info...the company I am purchasing the laptop from offers the 3 OS's as a choice. Apparently they have the software to install on the laptop. There is no charge for El Capitan. There is a small charge for the other two. If I decide on Mavericks, will it work for what I need it for? I am basically going to use it for presentations using Keynote or possibly PowerPoint. I'm not sure whether the Keynote comes on the laptop or not but I have the disks for it to install. Again, I thank you for the original info you gave. I have read a lot of responses about Mavericks and how others would not ever change from Mavericks. It is supposedly the best OS they have ever used. That is my dillema. El Capitan or Mavericks?  Thanks!  bookman

  • by OGELTHORPE,

    OGELTHORPE OGELTHORPE Sep 26, 2016 7:28 AM in response to bookman1953
    Level 9 (52,521 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 26, 2016 7:28 AM in response to bookman1953

    Obviously I was was not clear.  If some one enters an OSX on a MBP, it will be associated with the Apple ID of the installing person.  If it is not you, then your Apple ID will not be associated with the MBP and you will not be able to make any updates that require the use of your Apple ID.  You will need the Apple ID of the person who installs ,the OSX in order to perform any App store updates.

     

    The point is that any MBP 'new' to you, you must start with the original OSX that the MBP came with so that your Apple ID is connected to the MBP.   That is why I posted the various steps that you will need to take to set up the MBP correctly.

     

    Personally, I would opt for El Capitan over Mavericks, but the final choice is yours (assuming that Mavericks is available to you).

     

    Ciao.