Macbook Pro 10.6.8 out of date.
My Macbook Pro 10.6.8 is too old for security updates for Safari and Chrome. What can I do? I can't afford a new computer at this time.
MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.6.8)
My Macbook Pro 10.6.8 is too old for security updates for Safari and Chrome. What can I do? I can't afford a new computer at this time.
MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.6.8)
Switch to Firefox or upgrade the computer’s OS.
To upgrade, open the Mac App Store and try downloading El Capitan. If you get told that it's incompatible with your computer or otherwise desired, choose About this Mac from the Apple menu, check if the computer has at least a Xeon or Core 2 Duo(not Core Duo) CPU and 2GB of RAM, and if it does, click here and order a download code for Lion 10.7; the online Apple Store also sells download codes for Mountain Lion 10.8, but it has the same system requirements as El Capitan.
Back up your data and check your applications for compatibility before upgrading. In particular, Mac OS X 10.7 and newer don't support PowerPC programs such as versions of Microsoft Office prior to 2008.
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Thank you! I will try your recommendations and let you know how they work out!
If you run into trouble trying to use the App Store, Apple has just released an update for Snow Leopard âš which supports continued use of the App Store.
You can download and install the latest Mozilla Firefox browser from their help site:
• How to download and install Mozilla Firefox on a Mac - Firefox help:
https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/how-download-and-install-firefox-mac
Also, note the App Store update for Snow Leopard 10.6.8 won't help upgrade
a Safari browser or any items not being supported; but may help third party app
continued development. And the next higher OS X is not bought via App Store.
Good luck & happy computing! 🙂
My computer has only 2G memory. The El Capitan app has over 6G, so I don't think it would work. I'll try Mozilla. If that doesn't work, I don't know what to do. I'm not tech savvy and this is a headache!
You could further identify your MacBook Pro build model version and specification
so any additional upgrade to the hardware can be researched; it may be able to
use more RAM (memory chip update, new parts) & or a larger capacity hard drive
which may help the computer work more freely. And there are other items that can
add performance in the realm of hardware upgrade, but only if one knows what the
model specification and series details are.
• How to identify MacBook Pro models - Apple Support
This helps to identify with most detail, the actual computer you have there, since
the brand name and MacBook Pro doesn't say a whole bunch; those names are
re-used for several different hardware builds and they've seen changes regularly.
Also, by identification, you may learn what OS X past 10.6.8 your Mac can use.
{There are options short of El Capitan that may work better on slower older Mac
Book Pro models; some users prefer Mountain Lion 10.8.5; it is a purchase from
Apple Store online, the product uses download code to get OS X 10.8 or Lion 10.7
from the online App Store; the fee is about $20 for either. Plus updates, to these.}
A general place to look at good examples of hardware upgrade parts for the Mac
and this is a page link for Portable computer products. macsales aka OWC:
http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/powerbook-ibook-macbook/
Good luck & happy computing! 🙂
edited
Thank you very much for the advice. My MacbookPro was purchased in 2009, so it should still have some life left in it. It only has 2G of memory, so I am going to see if I can buy more memory and then download the El Capitan app. I am afraid that if I try to download it with only 2G, I will end up crashing my computer completely. I guess I can buy more memory from the App Store? I am currently housebound, otherwise I would go to an Apple store and pester their geniuses about this.
Thank you all for the time and trouble you went to in giving me valuable information.
The App Store does not seem to have upgrade replacement parts listed; the OWC macsales
site does offer correct upgrade and replacement parts, helpful update upgrade videos, and
staff that can often offer advice without commitment to buy anything.
App Store is software, and only for supported OS X versions that can access it.
Hardware for an older Mac is not likely to be found even in an Apple Store itself.
The Genius can help inspect, identify, and possibly do troubleshooting but usually
older hardware models of Apple gear are not serviced in the Apple Stores; you
would consider discussing hardware upgrades (new parts for performance, etc)
with an Apple Authorized Service Provider; and then expect parts plus labor.
Depending on which MacBook Pro build model year you own, a guide exists here:
• MacBook Pro repair guides - iFixit.com:
https://www.ifixit.com/Device/MacBook_Pro
You could use an iFixit guide to upgrade some or perhaps all the parts yourself;
but the methodology may be beyond your comfort zone. A quality proven good
backup of the computer's hard drive contents is advised. A replacement drive
is best set up in advance of any physical changes to the computer itself; so it
could be prepared ahead of any take apart; an expert would do this.
If you have the product serial number available when you talk to someone such as macsales
(link in previous post) they can most correctly identify the computer and suggest correct part
numbers; be familiar about your computer before considering an upgrade in hardware or in
software. The computer may only be able to upgrade to Lion 10.7.5, if it is an early MacBook.
To really know which one your MacBook Pro is exactly, would be helpful to us.
Not sure what else to say...
I feel I've listed way too much! 🙂
Thank you. I really appreciate all your help and information. I will try to plod on with my Macbook as it is and will probably buy a regular PC laptop eventually. Apple seems to become obsolete way too soon and their customer services is nil!
Thank you, again, for your time and effort.
Frances
The model should be relatively easy to upgrade as far as possible
and cost less than even a cheap PC given the amount of time a
MacBook or Mac can last; and not require antivirus or other items
to be installed in the OS X.
Performance issues sometimes find their cause in user choices;
if you let too much stuff be stored in the computer hard drive and
do not archive extra content you save to an external drive; so then
you can delete or Trash items otherwise filling the hard drive, it
will get too full for the OS X and applications to function...
Also, maintenance is almost minimal; compared to windows much less.
However a portable computer hard drive may last up to 5 years on average
and as such, the upgrade to new replacement parts of higher capacity is a
good way to make the computer run like new. And a new battery can be a
way to help performance, because some models will go into a low CPU
speed mode if the battery is bad or missing.
So if the costs are a consideration, find time to read about how to maintain
the computer and then upgrade the hardware; before any OS X upgrade.
Most of my Macs are at least 10 years old. My most recent bought a year
ago, at a clearance listing at Apple online, a Mini Late 2012 model. Older
ones are here and most all of my (nine?) present models can still work;
two are set up and in use daily. My other one on, sleeping, is a 2005 Mini.
It is the last model before Intel-based Mac and has G4 PowerPC hardware
& runs no later than 10.5.8 Leopard. (A 'Late 2005' with 1.5GHz G4 CPU)
So the computer you have isn't beyond useful purpose, it needs a refresh.
Good luck & happy computing! 🙂
Thank you! Actually, my little Macbook Pro works very, very well. I really only use it for email and a little online retail therapy. What worries me is that I got a message on my Chrome webpage that it was no longer providing security upgrades to my computer because it is out of date. I purchased it in 2009 and have never overused or abused it. I'm disappointed that Apple no longer supports my Safari and that Chrome doesn't see fit to support it either.
I used to have a PC and hated it and if I could make sure my Mac is safe from malware and viruses even though it is 7 years old, I would happily shell out a few dollars to buy whatever it needs. Apple is totally unhelpful once the warranty coverage has expired. Can't get a live one to just point me in the right direction. Probably Microsoft is no better. I don't have any power-guzzling apps; only what the computer came loaded with. I know I need a new battery, but I just keep the machine connected to the electric all the time I'm using it.
Most Macs do not get malware or virus; however there are several articles and valid opinions
on the definitions of those kinds of bad effects and how to avoid them. Careful browsing is a
fair way to consider using the internet; since it has never been safe and your computer and OS
is only as safe as you know how to use it. Mac OS X has quite a bit of security going for it... if
you don't happen to avoid the responsibility as a user (and choose to set up your mac for best
use of any security afforded by OS X, not disable or avoid practices that make it safer.)
The older Macs from pre-2006 that don't run Intel core processors, used IBM/Motorola/Apple
PowerPC architecture and were quite good; people still use those online even now, with systems
that have not seen security update or Safari update for a long time. I have a few of those here;
their age is a problem, but some innovative persons have developed and support browsers that
can help keep them working, where the internet is concerned. Yet, their better purpose is in doing
tasks offline where costly & high quality software is still in use; that do not require the internet.
Files can be shared with later models or devices to sent over the internet, in those too old.
You may be able to find more answers if you find the authorized Apple service providers & some
of them sell older restored computers and can repair ones the Apple Store won't. There are
Apple User Groups in many cities, especially in most of the US.
Tech Guides (Malware, Adware, Performance)
http://www.thesafemac.com/tech-guides/
As to inquiring about Anti-Virus, Malware, and Adware, etc you may need to start a New question
for that topic. Some web sites cover the general interest, but may be outdated. Avoid mackeeper
and other ones that want to sell you a service; avoid the pop-ups that have an 800 number and
are considered phony 'hostageware' scams. Most issues in the Mac OS X come from the users
browsing habits and by going to untoward and sketchy download sites for applications. Badware.
And avoid non-maker sites for things such as Flash Player, (I don't even use it in my Macs; the
newer browsers including Firefox, use HTML5 and good sites have moved away from Flash.)
Anyway, now is near 1AM so I've going offline.
Good luck in keeping your MacBook in a state of good repair... + healthy! 🙂
Thank you for all the information and advice, Mr. Shaffer. I think I am going to get a new MacBook when I can afford it. For now, I use my iPad for most things. I did get malware on my Mac a few months ago. I was using Safari and it started doing strange things, such as wouldn't close, refused to power down, etc. Then I got a pop-up message telling me I needed to call an 800 because my computer was infected. I did not call the number because I know that Apple doesn't work like that. I unplugged the computer, turned off the wifi and left it for a while. When I rebooted it, it worked ok, but I abandoned Safari then and downloaded Chrome. On the rare occasion I have gone into Safari I have found that I get a lot of spam in my mailbox after the visit.
I guess nothing lasts for ever and when I get a new Mac I will buy the extended service plan for however long they are available. Built-in obsolescence seems to be the norm these days!
Thank you again for all your valuable help and information and for spending so much time responding to my questions.
Best Wishes,
Frances
Macbook Pro 10.6.8 out of date.