How can I upgrade to 10.8 with my macbook

Probably not. First we need 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 Early 2006 model 1,1 Core Duo can only run a maximum of 10.6 Snow Leopard.
The models Late 2006 Core 2 Duos 2,1 through Early 2008 4,1 can only run a maximum of 10.7 Lion.
The Late 2008 model 5,1 Aluminum Unibody through the Mid 2010 White Unibody model 7,1 can run 10.8 Mountain Lion and 10.9 Mavericks.

The model 2,1 is limited to a maximum of 10.7 Lion but first you will have to upgrade to 10.6. 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 Lion which is download only.

System Requirements for 10.6:

• Mac computer with an Intel processor
• 1GB of memory
• 5GB of available disk space
• DVD drive for installation

Some features require a compatible internet service provider: fees may apply.

You can upgrade from 10.5 to 10.6 with no problems as long as you have at least 1gb of RAM. Any program that runs under 10.5 should run under10.6. See this list for third party programs compatibility with 10.6: http://snowleopard.wikidot.com/ You might have to upgrade some drivers for printers, etc.... And you will have to install Rosetta if you have any Power PC applications like Office 2004 or Adobe CS2.

http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/snow_leopard_installing_rosetta/

Once you are at 10.6.8 Lion is still available from Apple. Go to http://store.apple.com/us/product/D6106Z/A/os-x-lion and purchase it there. The price is $19.99.

Lion will require at least 2gb of RAM but really needs 4gb to run smoothly. You can put two 2gb RAM sticks in your model 2,1 but it can only use 3,3gb. This is a hardware limitation and cannot be changed.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3_GB_barrier
http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/macbook_pro/faq/macbook-pro-core-2-duo-3-g b-memory-limitation-details.html
OWC tests have found that there is a slight speed increase with having two 2gb sticks in rather than one 1gb and one 2gb. Your model is in the gray lines at the bottom of the graph. http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/Memory_Benchmark/Apple_MacBook/

As for third party programs see this list for compatibility with 10.7 http://roaringapps.com/apps:table

Also Lion doesn't run any Power PC programs. To see if you have any Power PC programs go to the Apple in the upper left corner and select About This Mac, then click on More Info. When System Profiler comes up select Applications under Software. Then look under Kind to see if any of your applications are listed as Power PC. Universal and Intel will run under Lion.

Before Mac switched to Intel processors in 2006 they used Power PC processors from 1994 to 2005. Power PC 601 through 604, G3, G4 and G5. Applications written for the Power PC processors need the application called Rosetta to run on Intel processors. This was part of the Operating System in 10.4 and 10.5 but was an optional install in 10.6. With 10.7 Lion Apple dropped all support for Power PC applications.

Hello, I have a MacBook 5,2 (OS 10.5.8)

Should I upgrade to 10.6 Snow Leopard (DVD online Apple Store), then to the 10.6.8 combo updater (is that also found on the online store?), and then to Lion 10.7, and then to OS X Mavericks?

Thanks much for your help

You can upgrade direct from 10.6.8 to 10.9 Mavericks or without going through 10.7 Lion or10.8 Mountain Lion as long as you have the Late 2008 model 5,1 Aluminum Unibody through the Mid 2010 White Unibody model 7,1.

With 10.7 Lion upgrades are only available as downloads from the App Store. 10.6 is the last OS to come on a DVD.

thanks, although i have macbook 5,2 it has OS 10.5.8 so I would still have to DVD upgrade to 10.6 OS, no?

Thanks much

Yes you need to be running 10.6.8 to access the App Store to download 10.9 Mavericks. 10.9 is over a 5gb download so it will take a long time. Be sure to use the power adapter and not battery. Use an ethernet connection rather than wireless. It's a faster connection. And be sure to set all the sleep connections to Never. Be sure you have at least 4gb of RAM installed. 2gb will barely run the basic system.

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