Macbook pro late 2008 won't upgrade to mac os Sierra.

FWIW, opinions really don't matter. There are hardware considerations involved as to which Macs can run which versions of the OS. If Apple's "plan" is to "force" their customers to buy a new computer, you'd think they could come up with a plan that is quicker than once every 9 years.

If you would like to let Apple know your opinion…

http://www.apple.com/feedback/

i have the same problem . IMO all the New Models since 2008 with the Unibody and Glass screens should be allowed to update to any new software. This is really stupid of apple. Wrong Move It just goes to show you they r in the business to FORCE their LOYAL APPLE CUSTOMERS to have to BUY a NEW COMPUTER. I am not cheap and i have had 10 macs. I own 2008 macbook pro 2013 MBPR 2016 MBPR and several new iMacs but this is just wrong.

Obviously, Windows PCs and Macs become obsolete at some point, like it or not. I've read many articles claiming that Windows PCs become obsolete faster/sooner than Macs, but I don't know if that can really be proven. Also, I confess it has been a while since I've read any such article, so even if it was true at some point, maybe it's not so true anymore. But I will say that when I did read those articles, it made me all that more glad that I had switched from Windows to Mac.

Let me add that I was very recently a "victim" of Apple obsolescence. I had a 20" iMac that I purchased in (I think) early 2009, with OSX Leopard, my first venture into the world of Apple computers. I've been able to squeeze every one of Apple's operating systems on it until MacOS Sierra came along. That was the end of upgrading for me; my iMac was too old and not compatible. I continued using it for a while after the release of Sierra, but for whatever reasons, the poor iMac was slower than I could tolerate anymore without a lot of cursing and swearing. So I now have a 27" late 2015 iMac retina 5K.

Can I complain after 8 years of pleasure using the old iMac? Naw, I don't think so. Something tells me that if I had bought a Windows PC in early 2009, I would have needed, or wanted, to replace it sooner than 8 years. But impossible to say. But let me tell you, I work in an IT department, surrounded by computers that we don't expect to last anywhere near 8 years. Hint: they're not Apple computers. If we get a computer that lasts 8 years, we're amazed! We've had a couple, out of many!

So IMHO, buck up, face the music, the reality is that NO COMPANY can or will make its product last forever. Not even Apple. But I, for one, appreciate the longevity of Apple's products.

Since Apple has turned its back on me as MacPro owner I wish to thank Apple for making it clear I no longer matter to them as a customer. As such, I will no longer support Apple and its devices by taking my future business elsewhere.

I am gutted after spending over $7000 (US) on a MacPro in 2010, it no longer meets the hardware specs Sierra requires.
Well done Apple for ******* me off with the 'follow the leader' attitude. In order to get the latest software I have to purchase an updated machine. Great business model for Apple... not so great for me.

My investment in the MacPro was considerable and I will continue using it with the current software albeit with the knowledge that I have been let down and feel hoodwinked by a corporate giant who ultimately has its own interests at heart... definitely not mine.

There's an interesting thread about unsupported macs on MacRumors that may be helpful.

Since Apple has turned its back on me as MacPro owner I wish to thank Apple for making it clear I no longer matter to them as a customer. As such, I will no longer support Apple and its devices by taking my future business elsewhere.

If the past is a guide we can expect at least a couple more years of support for El Capitan, a perfectly serviceable operating system. That would make your Mac at least nine years old, probably ten, before it could reasonably be considered functionally obsolete. That's a good illustration of the reason Macs are the most inexpensive computers to own, by far.

If ten years of economic life is insufficient for you, then your expectations regarding equipment longevity are not realistic.

My 2008 Mac Pro is on Apple's obsolete hardware list. I'm running Sierra, with the patch, on it. Apple says it won't run Sierra at all. Does that mean that Apple is mistaken about what hardware can run it, or did they purposefully write the code so it wouldn't install? Am I the one to decide if software runs well enough for me to use it, or is it Tim Cook who decides what I'm allowed run on my Mac? Who paid all those billions to Apple? I believe that it was us. Time to spend some of it supporting loyal customers instead of tweaking the code to cut us off.

FWIW, running Sierra at all is different than it running with all features working. Depends on how you look at it. Personally I see no reason to run Sierra on an obsolete Mac that can't take advantage of its features.

I will be having this question soon with one or two laptops. How do I know that the latest upgrade or O/S will work on my machines? Does the upgrade state anywhere that it is only for machine manufactured after such and such a date? If I could I would delete over half of the apps they install. I just use mine for web searching and e-mail. I wish I could pick an choose which apps to install.

Apple claims to be such green company well throwing away perfectly good computer isn't very green is it and what's 10 years for aluminum body with well designed internals? I want to use it for another 5 years or even more because I don't feel the need for new one just because it has retina that breaks like ****, I have friend who's already on his second screen replacement... And I don't see all that much progress lately in computers, it used to be massive difference if you had 10 year old computer in 2008 it was really ancient but today it's not so anymore, unless you're some hardcore gamer but they're all on xbox/playstation now anyway and with recent anti flash crusade computers actually have easier life.

I too whole heartedly agree with you. I just wish they would put out a basic model that most could use to do their basic home usage i.e. book keeping, internet browsing and maybe a game or two. I do not need all those bells and whistles that get in my way. I went through Windows for some time when they first came out and then switched to Apple because of its convenient O/S. I know money is the bottom line but why not keep some things simple for some of us? I get tired of reading about their massive monuments to themselves. Thank you for allowing me to vent.

v8powerage wrote:

Apple claims to be such green company well throwing away perfectly good computer isn't very green is it and what's 10 years for aluminum body with well designed internals? I want to use it for another 5 years or even more because I don't feel the need for new one just because it has retina that breaks like ****, I have friend who's already on his second screen replacement... And I don't see all that much progress lately in computers, it used to be massive difference if you had 10 year old computer in 2008 it was really ancient but today it's not so anymore, unless you're some hardcore gamer but they're all on xbox/playstation now anyway and with recent anti flash crusade computers actually have easier life.

Right?? my 27 year old SE/30 still works perfectly fine I can play Lode Runner all day long #hardcoregamer

What's 10 years? I have socks older than that. Let's face it in last ten years there was no drastic progress in computers, 2008 vs 1998 it was huge 2.4Ghz core duo vs 233Mhz but now it's not such big diffrence, yes they added 2 more cores but for browsing internet and playing itunes it isn't necessary plus you can update it with 8GB ram and SSD, then it will be same as the current one unless you are editing videos or something but then you really need desktop anyway.

Thats easy, the latest OS (Sierra) requires a machine made in 2010 or later.

How to get macOS Sierra - Apple Support

Hi Tim

Sorry to say, Apple has dropped official support for your model.

See here… http://www.apple.com/macos/how-to-upgrade/#hardware-requirements

Many of the latest features of the OS require current hardware. At some point, Apple has to decide if maintaining code for older computers is worth it. This becomes even more critical when many of the main features will not work due to hardware incompatibility. Looks like ~2009/10 is the oldest models supported under Sierra.

Having said this, some folks are running Sierra on un supported models. You'll have to find out how on your own and decide if that is something you want to do.

Hope this helps, Greg

Sadly, I am not happy with this situation. I see not supporting software, but not supporting overpriced hardware is not a good business model. The reason that I have been loyal to Apple is because their products work and last. Unfortunately, they are going to force me to purchase and if every few years I need to purchase. It might as well buy a PC.