Can we still get Mac OS 10 in a MacBook computer?

If the printer really is incompatible, it might be easiest to replace the printer(s) rather than go through contortions to buy a used computer that wasn't your first choice. Later this year Apple will be replacing Big Sur with a newer OS and eventually the older MacOS's won't be supported by Apple anyway. A new printer can cost as little as under $100, some are available for less than $50. The printer manufacturers mostly make profits on the ink, not on the printer itself.

Before you give up on the printer, make certain that it is incompatible. I am still using a Canon printer that I purchased in 2011 and while the custom interface Canon originally provided stopped working long ago (it was 32 bit I think), the printer and scanner functions still do work (scanning must be done through Image Capture).

People here might be able to help if you identify your printer models.

glwebste wrote:

Can we still get Mac OS 10 in a MacBook computer? Our printers are not compatible with OS11.

So long as your MacBook is not M1 based, and was sold with an older version of macOS, you’ll be able to run older, pre Big Sur (macOS 11) versions (up to the earliest version it was sold with).

However, if you are talking about buying a new MacBook, from Apple, with Big Sur already installed, you may not be able to run any older version of macOS, even if it is Intel based.

On the other hand, any printer that supports AirPrint will work with Big Sur. (Otherwise, you will need the printer manufacturer to provide new printer drivers for Big Sur.)

You may find an official Apple refurbished MacBook Pro or /Air that shipped

w/ Catalina 10.15.7. ~ Should say so in website; or talk to Apple sales support.

I've just spent some hours looking through refurbished MacBook Pro + Air

online Apple store, webpages. They don't say which version macOS installed.

Other vendors of clean used guaranteed Apple portables & desktop Macs

have fairly good deals; some older and some new, too. [Few to none offer

good as Apple's included guarantee, others don't show AppleCare option.]

https://www.apple.com/shop/refurbished/mac/macbook-air-macbook-pro

(inventories are subject to change, with limited stocks on hand)

New, Used, and Refurbished MacBook Pro laptops from OWC

https://eshop.macsales.com/configure-my-mac/macbook-pro

similar, refers to MacBook+MacBook/Air (inventories vary)

https://eshop.macsales.com/configure-my-mac/macbook-air

another of several resellers: refurbished or used Macs, portables & desktops

• Mac of all trades | apple laptops

https://www.macofalltrades.com/apple-laptops/

A local or regional authorized reseller of Apple may have varying stock of Macs.

• Apple - Find Locations (sales, service/support, AASP, etc)

https://locate.apple.com/

Hello,

Thank you for the information. The HL-2040 does not appear to have a printer driver for anything higher than OS X 10.10 (https://support.brother.com/g/b/downloadlist.aspx?c=as_ot&lang=en&prod=hl2040_all&os=10006).

However, it is interesting to note that a similar printer, model HL-2130, seems to be using the same printer driver (version 4.5.0b) for OS X 10.10. More interesting is that the HL-2130 has a printer driver (version 1.5.0) for macOS Catalina 10.15 (https://support.brother.com/g/b/downloadlist.aspx?c=as_ot&lang=en&prod=hl2130_all&os=10060). We have seen in the past that some Brother printers can use a macOS Catalina 10.15 driver even for macOS Big Sur 11.

So, the experimentally inclined could possibly carry out tests with a version 1.5.0 macOS Catalina 10.15 printer driver (for an HL-2130) with the HL-2040 and macOS BIg Sur 11. Remember, there is always a certain risk involved with an experiment. It may not work at all with this printer. Software conflicts cannot be ruled out. You may have to erase and reinstall everything on the computer. Data may be lost. A hardware problem is unlikely, but it is impossible to guarantee anything. Do not proceed unless you know what you are doing. In any case, make sure that you have at least three backup copies of important files before you start.

It may be necessary to reset the printing system before any tests.

Reset the Mac printing system to solve a problem - Apple Support

Add a printer on Mac - Apple Support

Hi,

Any information about the printers (make and models)? That could possibly help someone suggest a solution/workaround for macOS Big Sur 11.

There are plenty of lasers that are Big Sur compatible. Several good reference links are in the FAQ below.

https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-250003076

Surprised Brother didn't point you here:

https://support.brother.com/g/b/oscontents.aspx?c=us&lang=en&ossid=3

I've had mixed blessing withs Mac of all trades, and prefer http://www.dvwarehouse.com/ and http://www.macsales.com/ for older refurbished Macs.