Upgrading MacBook 5.2's OS X; best way, requirements, how high am I compatible?

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Upgrading MacBook 5.2's OS X; best way, requirements, how high am I compatible?

As the title says, I'm caving and finally upgrading my MacBook 5.2 (bought late 2009, 13.3" with a 160GB drive) from OS X 10.5.8. I'm wondering how many upgrades it can handle before the systems are incompatible: I'd assume I'm good for Snow Leopard and Lion (10.6 and 10.7), but if need be, am I still able to upgrade further with Mountain Lion and Mavericks (10.8 and 10.9)?

I'm also wondering if I need to upgrade my RAM in order to upgrade the OS X...

There's likely only one way of going about this (aka buying each individual upgrade and installing it), but if there happens to be an easier way (a bundle pack?), I'd love to get a heads up!

Macbook "13 (2009 model), Mac OS X (10.5.8)

Posted on Dec 26, 2013 1:04 PM

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Answer 1

SeaPapp

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Dec 26, 2013 6:16 PM in response to chibibee

There were two MacBook 5,2 models, an early 2009 and mid 2009 both can be upgraded to Mavericks if you choose.

http://www.everymac.com/ultimate-mac-lookup/?search_keywords=MacBook5,2

I would strongly recommend at least 4gb of ram if you're going to upgrade past Snow Leopard 10.6, and 6gb would be better. I have an early 2009 with 4gb and a 250gb SSD running Snow Leopard and it's a great machine.

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Answer 2

chibibee Author

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Dec 26, 2013 9:47 PM in response to SeaPapp

Thanks for the suggestions, Mike!

It seems like added memory/hard drive is hard to find for my computer at the Apple shop; I'm assuming I'd be able to use this one to bring me up to at least 4GB of RAM (it seems like the right type, Gen 5 with a 2.1 Ghz processor)?

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Answer 3

Dec 26, 2013 10:31 PM in response to chibibee

It would help to know which one of the 9 different models of MacBook you have. To see which model you have go to the Apple in the upper left corner and select About This Mac, then click on More Info. When System Profiler comes up check the Model Identifier and post it back here.

The model 5,2 (Early 2009, 2.0GHz Model Only) can use 6gb of 200 pin 667mhz PC2-5300 RAM The model 5,2 (Mid 2009, 2.13GHz Model Only) can use 6gb of 200 pin 800mhz PC2-6400 RAM The model 6,1 (Late 2009, White Unibody) can use 8gb of 204 pin 1066mhz PC3-8500 RAM

When you're at About This Mac check to see what RAM is installed.

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Answer 4

SeaPapp

Level 7

26,492 points

Dec 27, 2013 3:47 AM in response to chibibee

That ya or may not be the correct ram for your model, depends which one it is as stated above by frederic1943. Regardless buying ram from Apple can be a pricey experience. OWC http://eshop.macsales.com and

Crucial http://www.crucial.com both sell ram guaranteed to work with macs and at one third to one half less than what you'll pay at an Apple Store.

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Answer 5

chibibee Author

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Dec 27, 2013 5:20 AM in response to chibibee

Looks like I was right about having the Mid-2009?Macbook 5.2 model then; good to know I can go further than 4GB memory (and at a lower cost).

Thanks to both of you for your help!

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Answer 6

Dec 27, 2013 8:15 AM in response to chibibee

These are good online stores for Mac compatible RAM

OWC 800Mhz RAM
http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/memory/Apple_MacBook/White/2.13GHz- They offer Mac tested RAM at very good prices.

Crucial Memory http://www.crucial.com/ - good place to buy RAM from all over the world. They also have an excellent memory selector that allows you to choose memory based on your computer's model

Data Memory Systems http://www.datamemorysystems.com/apple-memory.asp - another good, cheap place to buying RAM if you live in the U.S.

Here are instructions on replacing RAM in a MacBook with a removable battery. http://homeoffice.consumerelectronicsnet.com/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=44404

If you don’t have the tools to open up the MacBook OWC has a set for $5.
http://eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/TOOLKITMHD/

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Answer 7

Dec 27, 2013 8:19 AM in response to chibibee

You can upgrade direct from 10.6.8 to 10.9 Mavericks or without going through 10.7 Lion or10.8 Mountain Lion

The 10.6 Snow Leopard DVD is in the Apple online store. You can get it for $19.99. http://store.apple.com/us/product/MC573/mac-os-x-106-snow-leopard After you’ve installed that then download the 10.6.8 combo updater to finish it off. http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1399 You will need to be running 10.6.8 to access the App Store to order 10.9 Mavericks.

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