MacOS upgrade from Sierra: which one?

Question

MacOS upgrade from Sierra: which one?

Hello,

I would like to upgrade my MacOS from Sierra. I have a MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch, Late 2013) with about only 60 GB free space.

I am unsure which upgrade would suit me as the Mac is pretty dated (still fully functional and fast though) and would not like to burden the hardware with a MacOS that is too new and too "loaded", thus resulting in a worse user experience for me.

Which MacOS would you recommend to me, so that I have the same speed as now (or more of course) and would not take more space?

I´ve been away from tech and upgrades in many years, so I need advice from more knowledgeable up-to-date users. Thank you in advance.

MacBook Pro

Posted on Apr 9, 2022 9:50 AM

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Answer 1

BDAqua

Level 10

245,453 points

Apr 9, 2022 11:09 AM in response to Valentina Gioppo

Start up from macOS Recovery

To start up from macOS Recovery, turn on your Mac and immediately press and hold one of the following combinations on your keyboard. Command-R is generally recommended, especially if you never installed macOS Sierra 10.12.4 or later… How to reinstall macOS - Apple Support

Command (⌘)-R

Install the latest macOS that was installed on your Mac.

Option-⌘-R

Upgrade to the latest macOS compatible with your Mac.

Shift-Option-⌘-R

Install the macOS that came with your Mac, or the closest version still available.

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Answer 2

tjk

Level 9

51,132 points

Apr 9, 2022 11:13 AM in response to Valentina Gioppo

You're welcome.

You could do a bootable installer: How to create a bootable installer for macOS - Apple Support

Or create an external Carbon Copy Cloner bootable clone prior to upgrading, then you could clone back that same setup to your internal drive and be right back where you left off when you created the clone.

I'd also recommend a Time Machine backup: Back up your Mac with Time Machine - Apple Support

and Restore your Mac from a backup - Apple Support

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Answer 3

Apr 9, 2022 10:41 AM in response to tjk

Yes, I saw I could get Big Sur, but thought it would be too "bulky" for my Mac? Will it slow it down? Also the 35 GB of free space, I have, but will they be "restored" once the upgrade is done or does the OS actually require a permanent 35 GB extra space?

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Answer 4

Apr 9, 2022 10:50 AM in response to tjk

Thanks for the reply.

Speed sounds good but I am not sure I can sacrifice that much extra space at this time...Is there anyone who can recommend an older MacOS I could upgrade to, that requires less extra HD space?

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Answer 5

Apr 9, 2022 11:00 AM in response to tjk

Thanks. Now I know what to go for. As a side question that occurred to me now: if the upgrade should give problems and I´d have to do a clean install from scratch, do I get the option to choose which MacOS to install or would I automatically get 1-the latest I am eligible for (Big Sur) or 2- the MacOS that came initially with my Mac in 2014?

Thanks again.

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Answer 6

tjk

Level 9

51,132 points

Apr 9, 2022 10:56 AM in response to Valentina Gioppo

Catalina requires 12.5GBs, so that's better. And you would still be getting security updates. I don't recommend going older than Catalina as you wouldn't get those security updates.

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Answer 7

tjk

Level 9

51,132 points

Apr 9, 2022 10:36 AM in response to Valentina Gioppo

Hi,

The maximum OS for that is Big Sur. I'd recommend that. It requires 35.5GBs of free space. How to get old versions of macOS - Apple Support

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Answer 8

tjk

Level 9

51,132 points

Apr 9, 2022 10:46 AM in response to Valentina Gioppo

I didn't time anything, but I didn't notice a speed difference going from High Sierra to Big Sur on a Mid 2014 MBP. I also didn't keep track of the space required, but I believe it's permanent.

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Answer 9

Apr 9, 2022 11:20 AM in response to tjk

Thanks a lot. That answers my concerns. I wanted to select "helpful" under the reply, but it´s greyed out, not sure why.

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Answer 10

BDAqua

Level 10

245,453 points

Apr 9, 2022 1:44 PM in response to Valentina Gioppo

Limit is two posts marked that way.:)

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MacOS upgrade from Sierra: which one?

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