What can I do if I can't update?

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AmyFL Author

Level 1

13 points

What can I do if I can't update?

My MacBook is old:

MacBook Pro (Retina, Mid 2012)Model

Name: MacBook Pro

Model Identifier: MacBookPro10,1

Processor Name: Quad-Core Intel Core i7

Processor Speed: 2.6 GHz

Number of Processors: 1

Total Number of Cores: 4

L2 Cache (per Core): 256 KB

L3 Cache: 6 MB

Hyper-Threading Technology: Enabled

Memory: 8 GB

Boot ROM Version: 429.0.0.0.0

SMC Version (system): 2.3f36

But it works for me. I write for a living so my needs are very minimal. I mostly do research and write.

That said, my browsers (Safari and Chrome) aren't being supported anymore, so there are some websites I can't use anymore (like Chase) or apps that won't download (like Slack).

Is there anything I can do?

Clearly I realize buying a new MacBook is the answer but I can't afford a brand new $1K MacBook. And when it comes to buying something used or refurb, I have no idea what I'm doing. (so any answers in that department would be appreciated too).

Thank you.

Earlier Mac models

Posted on Jun 2, 2024 7:08 AM

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Answer 1

FoxFifth

Level 10

478,327 points

Jun 2, 2024 8:18 AM in response to AmyFL

You don't say what macOS version it is currently running. That information is available at Apple menu > About This Mac. It can be upgraded to macOS Catalina 10.15.7 but no later than that.

To upgrade to Catalina, be sure to have a current backup and see instructions in: How to download and install macOS - Apple Support

Be aware that if you upgrade to Catalina 10.15 or later you will also need to update any non-Apple 32-bit apps. See: https://www.stclairsoft.com/Go64/

or

https://www.macworld.com/article/232735/how-to-check-if-mac-software-is-32-or-64-bit.html

The latest version of Safari that can be run with Catalina is Safari 15.6.1 and that may be more current than what you currently have but is still not the latest version. You may want to use a 3rd party internet browser that supports running their current version on your Mac (with Catalina installed) rather than Safari. One option is Chrome: https://www.google.com/chrome/

There is also a user tip about which browsers will work with each operating system: Browsers by Mac operating system - Apple Community

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Answer 2

Allan Jones

Level 10

83,324 points

Jun 2, 2024 8:48 AM in response to AmyFL

Although my main desktop Mac is newer, I still use a non-Retina 2012 Macbook Pro for a travel computer, and I write when traveling. Updates with an after-market solid-state drive, it still offers plentyof performance.

It has macOS 10.14 Mojave to maintain compatibility with Office 2008 that I use to convert really old Word and Excel files I have archived to a newer version.

I use Safari 14 as my browser and, when I find a site that is not Safari-friendly, I switch to FireFox ESR. As of now, it still works for most sites.

I am planing a get a newer Mac notebook but, in terms of service, the 2012 model that I've owned for 11 years this month still provides that, and has yet to present me with a "panic buy" moment.

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Answer 3

Jun 2, 2024 9:48 AM in response to AmyFL

<< there are some websites I can't use anymore (like Chase) >>

Chase has been very aggressive in limiting versions of Browsers they support. This is a fairly arbitrary decision on their part, and is not backed by evidence of inherent defects in older version of Safari.

They are still allowing the classic version of Firefox (FireFox ESR as Allan Jones mentions) to access Chase.com

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What can I do if I can't update?

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