13" macbook pro mid 2012

klownin:

Depending on what other software (should there be critical 32-bit older software

you need, or printer drivers, unavailable to update an older printer/AIO scanner,

etc) you may want to hold off and stay with no later than Mojave 10.14.6 macOS.

Because both Catalina and Big Sur no longer support older 32-bit third party drivers

& software that's one reason to avoid upgrade to newer (if otherwise supported) since

there's a chance there may not be suitable replacements available. Macs run 64-bit,

while many third-party software providers were using 32-bit. Apple has led most.

Before considering an upgrade past Mojave, the last macOS which natively supports

32/64-bit drivers/software.. see what this free utility can tell you about the prospects..

• Go64: Check Your Apps and Prepare for a 64-bit World

https://www.stclairsoft.com/Go64/

"A fast, free way to get a comprehensive look at your 64-bit app compatibility

and avoid surprises before installing macOS Catalina." — Macworld

There are other reasons to continue with an older configured Mac

& keep one or more on-hand, since those can be very useful as-is.

I've a G4 Mac mini Late 2005 w/ Leopard 10.5.8; it works well, can go

online; and handles item on older media; saves to archived HDD etc.

My mid-2012 MacBook Pro 13-inch (non-retina) can see upgrades yet

I won't upgrade past Mojave 10.14.6. ~ Its 2.5GHz dual-core does OK

with the smallish 240GB SSD (blade) it had installed prior to owning.

While daily user (stays on, left to sleep) Late 2012 Mac mini i7 Quad

core (server/dual stock HDDs) 2 macOS (w/ 4 partitions) on 2- 1TB

drives; with ideas of maybe up to four system installations. This runs

an older El Capitan 10.11.6; download installers present include High

Sierra 10.13.6, and Mojave, too. Just no time to upgrade. This also has

the as-shipped Mavericks server edition on partition, in HDD-1.

There's just too many 'irons in the fire' offline, for these projects.

And I gave away dozens (dozens of dozens) of Macs I'd repaired

in spare time; to people I met solely to provide devices a home.

When you consider these are among last user-upgrade models,

there still are several replacement upgrade channels to use; if

you think about keeping some on the road, a few more years.

It is what I would be using myself.

But be aware that if you still have any 32 bit apps they will not run on Catalina. See: 32-bit app compatibility with macOS High Sierra 10.13.4 and later - Apple Support