I want to update to Mountain Lion but my macbook pro is a 2.33 Ghz processor with a Intel Core2 duo

Welcome to the Apple Support Communities

Your computer isn't supported because OS X Mountain Lion needs a Mid 2007 MacBook Pro or newer, and you're using a Late 2006 MacBook Pro. If you want, call Apple to purchase OS X Lion > http://support.apple.com/kb/HE57 Make a backup before upgrading and check if your programs are supported > http://www.roaringapps.com

Upgrading to Snow Leopard, Lion, or Mountain Lion

You can upgrade to Mountain Lion from Lion or directly from Snow Leopard. Mountain Lion can be downloaded from the Mac App Store for $19.99. To access the App Store you must have Snow Leopard 10.6.6 or later installed.

Upgrading to Snow Leopard

You must purchase Snow Leopard through the Apple Store: Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard - Apple Store (U.S.). The price is $19.99 plus tax. You will be sent physical media by mail after placing your order.

After you install Snow Leopard you will have to download and install the Mac OS X 10.6.8 Update Combo v1.1 to update Snow Leopard to 10.6.8 and give you access to the App Store. Access to the App Store enables you to download Mountain Lion if your computer meets the requirements.

Snow Leopard General Requirements

1. Mac computer with an Intel processor

2. 1GB of memory

3. 5GB of available disk space

4. DVD drive for installation

5. Some features require a compatible Internet service provider;

fees may apply.

6. Some features require Apple’s MobileMe service; fees and

terms apply.

Upgrading to Lion

If your computer does not meet the requirements to install Mountain Lion, it may still meet the requirements to install Lion.

You can purchase Lion by contacting Customer Service: Contacting Apple for support and service - this includes international calling numbers. The cost is $19.99 (as it was before) plus tax. It's a download. You will get an email containing a redemption code that you then use at the Mac App Store to download Lion. Save a copy of that installer to your Downloads folder because the installer deletes itself at the end of the installation.

Lion System Requirements

1. Mac computer with an Intel Core 2 Duo, Core i3, Core i5, Core i7,

or Xeon processor

2. 2GB of memory

3. OS X v10.6.6 or later (v10.6.8 recommended)

4. 7GB of available space

5. Some features require an Apple ID; terms apply.

Upgrading to Mountain Lion

To upgrade to Mountain Lion you must have Snow Leopard 10.6.8 or Lion installed. Purchase and download Mountain Lion from the App Store. Sign in using your Apple ID. Mountain Lion is $19.99 plus tax. The file is quite large, over 4 GBs, so allow some time to download. It would be preferable to use Ethernet because it is nearly four times faster than wireless.

OS X Mountain Lion - System Requirements

Macs that can be upgraded to OS X Mountain Lion

1. iMac (Mid 2007 or newer)

2. MacBook (Late 2008 Aluminum, or Early 2009 or newer)

3. MacBook Pro (Mid/Late 2007 or newer)

4. MacBook Air (Late 2008 or newer)

5. Mac mini (Early 2009 or newer)

6. Mac Pro (Early 2008 or newer)

7. Xserve (Early 2009)

Are my applications compatible?

See App Compatibility Table - RoaringApps.

Am I eligible for the free upgrade?

See Apple - Free OS X Mountain Lion upgrade Program.

For a complete How-To introduction from Apple see Upgrade to OS X Mountain Lion.

So that is a late 2006 MBP, right? In that case, no sorry, the installer is never even going to let you download it from the app store.

According to MacTracker, it will run ML.

"

FIRMWARE

I wouldn't know about that. I do know it does not meet Apple's stated minimum system requirements for ML.

Nope. 10.7.5 is maximum version. It is not a mid/late 2007 model. That's the bottom for Mountain Lion.

Accepted. Had more time to research this morning and all other sources agree with that.

Looks like MacTracker needs an update.

But that's where I got it. 🙂

My copy and paste above is from MacBook2.1.

Just followed the 'latest OS' link through to the next page and it only goes as far as 10.7.2 though, so I think I must be missing an update somewhere.

btw, your screenshot isn't appearing.

Yeah, I see about the image. A forum disaster.

For a MacBook 2,1 (Mid-2007):

For a MacBook Pro 2,1 (17" C2D):

The Mid/Late 2007 is MacBook Pro 3,1 15" or 17" model that can run Mountain Lion. But neither of the above do.

A MacBook must be Late 2008 Aluminum, or Early 2009 or newer. MacBook Pros must be Mid/Late 2007.

Just discovered why I've not been updated; the latest update won't play on anything earlier than 10.6.8.

Looks like MT's usefulness to me is diminishing.

Or how Mountain Lion's usefulness is becoming greater. A matter of POV. 🙂

Indeed. Mountain Lion is of no use at all to me.