Q: unable to upgrade to Mavericks - why?

Your computer doesn't have a 64-bit EFI and can't be upgraded past Lion 10.7.5.

(104611)

AdalineJones wrote:

 

I believe to have met all of the requirments and yet I still get the "can not be installed on this computer" warning.

Then you do not meet all requirements.  Double check your model: http://support.apple.com/kb/ht4132

if this is a

• MacBook Pro (15-inch or 17-inch, Mid/Late 2007 or later) is should be able to run Mavericks.

Your computer does not support anything later then 10.7.5 - Lion.

Upgrading to Lion

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

You can purchase Lion at the Online Apple Store. 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.

AdalineJones: No, it doesn't.

shldr2thewheel: A MacBook isn't a MacBook Pro.

(104619)

No. It simply means you have a processor capable of running 64-bit applications provided they do not require access to hardware drivers that would only work if you had a 64-bit Boot ROM and could run the 64-bit kernel. Your machine cannot run the 64-bit kernel because it only supports a 32-bit kernel.

Mac OS X- 64-bit kernel frequently asked questions

OS X v10.6- Macs that use the 64-bit kernel

OS X v10.6- Compatibility with the 64-bit kernel

32-bit vs 64-bit Snow Leopard

that wasnt disclosed until well after.  My lack of judgement in guessing it was a MBP and not a MB.