Can a late 2006 iMac be modified to accept Mavericks?
Can a late 2006 iMac be modified to accept Mavericks?
If it has a core2duo it can run 10.9. If it has a core due, it cannot. Needs a 64bit chip.
9 replies
No, not possible. Mavericks requires a mid-2007 or newer iMac model. For the 2006 iMac, it is not an issue with the cpu, I think it is an issue with the gpu. The gpu chip-sets on the 2006 models are 32-bit and cannot run Mavericks with its fully 64-bit system code.
Aha. That's interesting. I never thought of that!
G
I think you've explained the problem and I am destined to be a Lion user for the future. There were many conflicting explanations, but the clincher for me was your explanaton of the chip-set as a cpu/gpu differentiation and my Mac shows the chipset type as being GPU. Tho it seems that everything else could work, I'm too chicken to take a chance and download Mavericks. Don't know what issues that would lead to. So, many thanks for the help from you and all others - I do hope appreciate it and hope that some day I'll be able to return the favors.
Well, I for one wish someone would invent a way around this. Although bought in 2007 my late 2006 MacBook Pro is far from finished. It has a wonderful big screen with room to create graphics comfortably and 1.5TB storage inside in the form of a 500gb SSD and a 1TB hard drive where the Superdrive used to be. If only I could upgrade the trackpad, increase the RAM from 3gb and use the latest operating system. Every time I think of buying a new one I think, "…and lose that 17" screen and have nowhere to put all my storage inside it?" and it gets put off for another year. Isn't there a whizzkid with a soldering iron and foolhardy courage somewhere who can offer these upgrades to dinosaurs like me?
I was a little surprised by Michael Black's reply as I always thought my late 2006 model had a 64 bit chip. It turns out it does as everymac confirms. It also has core2duo, Grant Lenahan. So there must be some other reason it cannot run Mountain Lion or Mavericks. I'd still love to know the answer, if anyone has another suggestion!
frannbug wrote:
So there must be some other reason it cannot run Mountain Lion or Mavericks. I'd still love to know the answer, if anyone has another suggestion!
The EFI is 32-bit.
cliff82 wrote:
I'm too chicken to take a chance and download Mavericks. Don't know what issues that would lead to.
It won't lead to any issues, you won't be able to download it if your Mac can't run it.
frannbug wrote:
I was a little surprised by Michael Black's reply as I always thought my late 2006 model had a 64 bit chip. It turns out it does as everymac confirms. It also has core2duo, Grant Lenahan. So there must be some other reason it cannot run Mountain Lion or Mavericks. I'd still love to know the answer, if anyone has another suggestion!
As Barney stated, it has a 32bit EFI, Lion is the limit.
Can a late 2006 iMac be modified to accept Mavericks?