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Please how can I upgrade my computer MacBook Pro, 13-inch, 2012, macOS Catalina version 10.15.7 to a little higher?

I am currently running a program on AutoCAD, somehow the Autodesk Application Software that I installed started malfunctioning that I became so frustrated with it and I had to uninstall the software. In order that I may get completely rid of whatever brought about the issue I equally emptied the trash. I went back to Autodesk to re-install the same Application that is compatible with my system( computer ) only to be told that the very Application has been discontinued and, that I should install any of the current versions: 2021 or 2022 or 2023 or 2024. I tried to install any one of them , but all to no avail. Indeed, all efforts were futility as a result of the version of my system and its capacity. This became a problem as I am running a program that I should be rounding up August, next month. Honestly, I need to upgrade my computer to match any of the available versions of the Application Software currently in use and to be able to graduate with my mates according to the school academic calendar. I ndeed help!

MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 10.15

Posted on Jul 28, 2023 10:09 PM

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Posted on Jul 28, 2023 11:15 PM

I'm not sure from your description whether you have a MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2012) or a MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch, Late 2012). However, for both of these, Catalina is the end of the line.


To run a newer version of macOS, you will need a newer computer.

11 replies

Jul 29, 2023 6:29 AM in response to emeka102

Did you keep backups of your startup drive? Or backups of the application installer that you used to install the old (and no longer available) version of AutoCAD on your drive?


If the answer is that you did not keep backups – that you emptied the Trash with your only copy of the application in it – I am afraid that you may be out of luck.

Jul 31, 2023 11:39 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Grant Bennet-Alder wrote:

Recovering Trashed files is something that was possible on older Rotating Magnetic drives, because the actual data blocks used fixed block addressing, and were only noted as "free" and added to the FreeList and not literally over-written until needed for new data.

When SSD drives are used, that is no longer possible.

Within seconds of when you eliminate files from the Trash, the SSD drive controller recombines Free Blocks into a SuperBlock (randomizing the data block numbers) then bulk-erases the SuperBlock in preparation for new data. The old information is GONE.


I don't think we've ruled out the possibility that the OP's 13" 2013 MBP is one of the Mid 2012 ones which has a mechanical HDD.


Apple made a couple of 13" 2012 MacBook Pros:

  • MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2012) – Some of these had HDDs, others had SSDs. Apple kept these models in its lineup (as an alternative to Retina MBPs) all the way until Octoer 2016.
  • MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch, Late 2012) – All of these had SSDs. You can distinguish these from Mid 2012 models by the Retina screens and the lack of a built-in optical drive.


If the OP has a mechanical hard drive, then maybe he could run special data recovery software against it. But I would not hold out much hope for recovering the deleted AutoDesk application, even in that most optimistic of scenarios.


If you recovered part of a data file – say, some garbled text from a word processing document – there might be lots of manual work to finish restoring it, but you could try patching a partially recovered file. For an application, you'd need to recover every last byte. Even one bad byte would be enough to cause the application to crash (or worse, if you were really unlucky, to silently corrupt your data).

Jul 29, 2023 7:06 AM in response to emeka102

Recovering Trashed files is something that was possible on older Rotating Magnetic drives, because the actual data blocks used fixed block addressing, and were only noted as "free" and added to the FreeList and not literally over-written until needed for new data.


When SSD drives are used, that is no longer possible.


Within seconds of when you eliminate files from the Trash, the SSD drive controller recombines Free Blocks into a SuperBlock (randomizing the data block numbers) then bulk-erases the SuperBlock in preparation for new data. The old information is GONE.


It has always been important to have recent backups. But if you have not been methodical about keeping copies when using an SSD drive, You are only one disk failure, one crazy software, or one OOPS way from losing anything and everything. Apple provides a very good background backup service, Time Machine, built into MacOS. All you need to add is a big slow drive to hold the data, and tell it to GO.

Jul 31, 2023 11:56 PM in response to emeka102

emeka102 wrote:

I went back to Autodesk to re-install the same Application that is compatible with my system( computer ) only to be told that the very Application has been discontinued and, that I should install any of the current versions: 2021 or 2022 or 2023 or 2024. I tried to install any one of them , but all to no avail. Indeed, all efforts were futility as a result of the version of my system and its capacity. This became a problem as I am running a program that I should be rounding up August, next month. Honestly, I need to upgrade my computer to match any of the available versions of the Application Software currently in use and to be able to graduate with my mates according to the school academic calendar. I ndeed help!


This probably won't work, but you could try getting in touch with AutoCAD again.


Explain to them the situation that you're in – and that the inability to re-install the old version of AutoDesk might keep you from graduating on time. Ask if there's any way that they can let you download the old version – on an unsupported basis. Be ready to show that you purchased the program legally (which I assume that you have). If there is someone on your school's faculty who is willing to vouch for you, so much the better.


If you encounter resistance from first-level support people (who will probably lack the authority to do this), ask politely to speak to a supervisor.


I don't want to give you false hope. They may well say "No" again (and likely will). But this seems to me to hold out the greatest chance of regaining access to the application, under the circumstances.

Aug 1, 2023 5:11 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Yes, I downloaded the Software this time, but to install it I was required to enter the serial number of the 2021 version of the application. Further, I have contacted Autodesk Sopport in that regard. Possibly, when that is done I hope to finally install it. As soon as I receive the serial number and have it installed I shall confirm to you through this medium. You're so wonderful! Remain forever blessed for me.

Please how can I upgrade my computer MacBook Pro, 13-inch, 2012, macOS Catalina version 10.15.7 to a little higher?

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