HT201475: Upgrade to OS X El Capitan

Learn about Upgrade to OS X El Capitan
Goldblattp
Level 1 (4 points)
Mac OS X

Q: Do I meet the system requirements for El Capitan if I have a Mac Mini running Mtn. Lion and 2 GB memory with a 2.4 GHz Core2 Duo?

Do I meet the system requirements for El Capitan if I have a Mac Mini running Mtn. Lion and 2 GB memory with a 2.4 GHz Core2 Duo and a 3 MB L2 Cache and 1.07 GHz bus speed?? Would you recommend installing more memory and if so, why??

Mac mini, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.5), Contains a CD/DVD drive slot

Posted on Apr 12, 2016 2:43 PM

by Phil0124,Solvedanswer
Phil0124 Phil0124
Level 7 (26,958 points)
iPhone
A:

If it can run Mountain Lion it can run El Capitan, since both have the same exact system requirements.

 

RAM is always recommended to have more of, it lets you have more data quickly accessible for the system, and lets App run faster and take less time to load.

 

El Capitan benefits greatly from 4GB or more of RAM. It can run with 2GB, but it will be faster and smoother with more.

 

Judging by the specs you posted, you have a 2010 Mac Mini, and it can take up to 16GB of RAM. It can run le Capitan just fine.

 

Requirements and steps to update to El Capitan can be found in the following link:

 

Upgrade to OS X El Capitan - Apple Support

Posted on Apr 12, 2016 2:50 PM

Close
Goldblattp

Q: Do I meet the system requirements for El Capitan if I have a Mac Mini running Mtn. Lion and 2 GB memory with a 2.4 GHz Core2 Duo?

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by Niel,

    Niel Niel Apr 12, 2016 2:46 PM in response to Goldblattp
    Level 10 (311,956 points)
    Apr 12, 2016 2:46 PM in response to Goldblattp

    1. Yes.

    2. Yes. Any Mac OS X version newer than 10.6.8 is likely to be sluggish on only 2GB of RAM.

     

    (141471)

  • by Phil0124,Solvedanswer

    Phil0124 Phil0124 Apr 12, 2016 2:50 PM in response to Goldblattp
    Level 7 (26,958 points)
    iPhone
    Apr 12, 2016 2:50 PM in response to Goldblattp

    If it can run Mountain Lion it can run El Capitan, since both have the same exact system requirements.

     

    RAM is always recommended to have more of, it lets you have more data quickly accessible for the system, and lets App run faster and take less time to load.

     

    El Capitan benefits greatly from 4GB or more of RAM. It can run with 2GB, but it will be faster and smoother with more.

     

    Judging by the specs you posted, you have a 2010 Mac Mini, and it can take up to 16GB of RAM. It can run le Capitan just fine.

     

    Requirements and steps to update to El Capitan can be found in the following link:

     

    Upgrade to OS X El Capitan - Apple Support

  • by Goldblattp,

    Goldblattp Goldblattp Apr 12, 2016 4:42 PM in response to Phil0124
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Mac OS X
    Apr 12, 2016 4:42 PM in response to Phil0124

    Thank you. You have well answered my question/s. Tho' the box my "mini" came in says it supports up to only 8 GB of SDRAM. Still lots better than 2 GB.

    Phil

  • by Goldblattp,

    Goldblattp Goldblattp Apr 12, 2016 4:43 PM in response to Niel
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Mac OS X
    Apr 12, 2016 4:43 PM in response to Niel

    To Niel, thanks your answers are helpful.

  • by dialabrain,Helpful

    dialabrain dialabrain Apr 13, 2016 9:45 AM in response to Goldblattp
    Level 5 (5,900 points)
    Mac App Store
    Apr 13, 2016 9:45 AM in response to Goldblattp

    Just a word of caution. you may not want to migrate your applications over. Many older apps won't run in El Capitan.

  • by Goldblattp,

    Goldblattp Goldblattp Apr 13, 2016 9:52 AM in response to dialabrain
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Mac OS X
    Apr 13, 2016 9:52 AM in response to dialabrain

    Dea Dialabrain,

      I'm glad you mentioned that. I do have MS Word, Excel and Powerpoint for Mac 2011 and wondering if they will still run with El Capitan. I have lots of Word and Excel files that I need to be able to run. Will I need to "reinstall" those applications after El Cap is up and running on my Mac?? Thanks.

  • by Niel,

    Niel Niel Apr 13, 2016 9:55 AM in response to Goldblattp
    Level 10 (311,956 points)
    Apr 13, 2016 9:55 AM in response to Goldblattp

    1. Yes, they will; for other applications, click here.

    2. Probably not.

     

    (141499)

  • by Eric Root,

    Eric Root Eric Root Apr 13, 2016 5:34 PM in response to Goldblattp
    Level 9 (70,068 points)
    iTunes
    Apr 13, 2016 5:34 PM in response to Goldblattp

    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 Network 23,

    Network 23 Network 23 Apr 13, 2016 5:47 PM in response to Goldblattp
    Level 6 (12,043 points)
    Mac OS X
    Apr 13, 2016 5:47 PM in response to Goldblattp

    Goldblattp wrote:

    I have lots of Word and Excel files that I need to be able to run. Will I need to "reinstall" those applications after El Cap is up and running on my Mac?? Thanks.

    Using the OS X Migration Assistant often works fine. I would say try it, and if things run fine, you're good. If you do run into one or two applications that don't run right, uninstall those and reinstall them and it will probably be fine. Since you are starting from Mountain Lion, the differences between that and El Capitan are less than if you had gone from an older system to El Capitan, so I predict most of your applications will be OK.

     

    About the RAM: While your box says 8GB RAM is the maximum, if you check with reputable RAM sellers like OWC you may find that your mini actually takes 16GB. This is because the limit Apple says is based on the RAM modules available when that model originally ships. When newer, larger RAM modules become available they often work, but Apple doesn't update the box text. It is possible that your Mini does take 16GB. But you probably don't need more than 8GB unless you are doing professional level graphics/video production every day.