razeldecastro

Q: Can I update my Macbook Pro 5,5 Intel Core 2 Duo, OS X version 10.5.8 to OS X Yosemite?

I bought my Macbook Pro last July 2009, and was told not to update it as it slows the processor. As a new Macbook user then, I complied to the advise.

 

And years after, I forgot to update it.

 

Is it too late to update my Macbook Pro 5,5 OS X 10.5.8 to Yosemite? Here are my hardware specs:

 

Macbook Pro 5 5

Intel Core 2 Duo

2.26 GHz (Number of processor: 1)

L2 Cache: 3MB

Memory: 2GB

Bus speed: 1.07 GHz

 

Replies are appreciated. Thanks!

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.5.8)

Posted on Jun 29, 2015 1:57 AM

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Q: Can I update my Macbook Pro 5,5 Intel Core 2 Duo, OS X version 10.5.8 to OS X Yosemite?

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  • by Leopardus,

    Leopardus Leopardus Jun 29, 2015 4:28 AM in response to razeldecastro
    Level 4 (1,122 points)
    Desktops
    Jun 29, 2015 4:28 AM in response to razeldecastro

    Hi r,

     

    Look in the system requirements for the answer to your question.

     

    From what you posted, the first step should be to max out your ram to at least 6BG from a reliable and compatible source. It would greatly assist your Mac to handle the OS.

     

    Have fun

     

    Leo

  • by Barney-15E,

    Barney-15E Barney-15E Jun 29, 2015 4:38 AM in response to razeldecastro
    Level 9 (50,141 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jun 29, 2015 4:38 AM in response to razeldecastro

    You'll first need to buy the Snow Leopard disk from the Apple Store: http://store.apple.com/us/product/MC573Z/A/mac-os-x-106-snow-leopard

    Back up your Mac to at least one external hard drive.

    Once you've installed Snow Leopard, run at least Address Book, iPhoto, iTunes, Mail, and iCal to have it update your Libraries to the current format.

    Also update it to 10.6.8 using Software Update. Also see if you can update iPhoto in the App Store. Yours may be too old for an update.

    If that is running OK, then you might want to back that up, too. If you decide to revert to the older OS, you will be much happier with Snow Leopard.

    I'm not sure where you got the advice not to upgrade from Leopard. Snow Leopard was way faster than Leopard.

     

    Before you upgrade to Yosemite, you'll need to max out the RAM. 2GB is the advertised min, but it isn't enough. You can put in up to 8GB, which is what I would do. It will run everything better with that much RAM, even if you don't stay with Yosemite.

     

    There are a lot of changes from Leopard all the way to Yosemite.

    Some big ones: While they restored contacts and calendar sync with iTunes, most everything is done through iCloud, not plugging into iTunes.

    Snow Leopard and prior could run PowerPC (the old processor Apple used) applications, but they won't run anymore. If there are PowerPC programs you use, then you'll need to see if you can upgrade those to a newer version. You might consider Cloning your Snow Leopard disk so that you can boot into it after upgrading to Yosemite.

    When you are ready to upgrade, Go to the Mac App Store (Apple Menu) and find Yosemite.

    If you keep a clone of your Snow Leopard on an external, you can always revert to that if you don't like Yosemite, eventually cloning it back to your internal.

    For Cloning, I use Carbon Copy Cloner, but others also recommend SuperDuper.

  • by Eric Root,

    Eric Root Eric Root Jun 29, 2015 1:30 PM in response to razeldecastro
    Level 9 (71,487 points)
    iTunes
    Jun 29, 2015 1:30 PM in response to razeldecastro

    Do a backup before installing.


    Application Compatibility


    Applications Compatibility (2)

     

    Use the combo update to save time using Software Update.

     

    10.6.8 Combo Updater


    The 2 places I’ve seen recommended most to buy reliable RAM are below. I have purchased RAM several times from Other World Computing and have always been very satisfied with the product and service. They have on-line instructions on how to replace the RAM. OWC has also tested RAM above what Apple states is the maximum. I now have 6GB installed on a early 2008 iMac supposedly limited to 4 GB and noticed an improvement.

     

    Crucial

     

    Other World Computing

  • by Csound1,

    Csound1 Csound1 Jun 29, 2015 1:32 PM in response to razeldecastro
    Level 9 (50,486 points)
    Desktops
    Jun 29, 2015 1:32 PM in response to razeldecastro

    Increase the RAM to 8GB for best results, but your Mac can run Yosemite, no sweat.