Why is Apple limiting older equipment from the Sierra OS Upgrade?

Question

Why is Apple limiting older equipment from the Sierra OS Upgrade?

I was curious why Apple is limiting the OS upgrade to newer equipment only? My mid 2009 MacBook Pro can run head to head with almost any new Mac laptop. Why limit my use? If you developed an OS that my laptop couldn't handle because it was too slow, or had too little storage, or not enough memory, FINE! I can live with that. But to do what seems like deliberately outmoding my unit based on age and not capability, seems beneath Apple. Next thing you know you'll take all the RAM upgrade ports off of all of your newer units. Seriously?! Why do this?! I use Mac for everything. It is the only technology that I allow operated in my office. I have all of the personal iEverything. I really do not want to learn windows and re train the people that I work with because of Apple's greed and marketshare. Please tell me its something else.

Posted on Jan 19, 2017 7:38 PM

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Answer 1

Jan 19, 2017 8:01 PM in response to Stuart423

Thanks you! Right. I think I get that.That makes sense. So if a new 13" MacBook Pro runs 2.0GHz with Boost up to 3.1GHz, 256Storage and 8GB RAM and my, (mid 2009) Dinosaur, runs a 2.53GHz, with 8 GB of RAM, and enough storage to park 4 new 13" MacBook Pro's on its hard drive, I don't see why the outmode needs to happen. Hardware has obviously not surpassed itself yet. Why limit this based on a Ser#. Write it. If it works, Let them use it. Doesn't that make sense?

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Answer 2

Drew Reece

Level 6

10,684 points

Jan 19, 2017 7:55 PM in response to Ineffective Realtor

You'll need to ask Apple or tell them your complaints…

https://ssl.apple.com/feedback/

It may not be apparent to you but Apple are a business just like all other businesses, their job is to make money. Supporting 7+ year old Macs doesn't really make them money – why spend time & effort in testing new OS's work with it? There is an explanation on http://arstechnica.com/apple/2016/09/macos-10-12-sierra-the-ars-technica-review/ 2/ if you want to understand other reasons beyond simple economics.

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Answer 3

Stuart423

Level 6

9,264 points

Jan 19, 2017 7:50 PM in response to Ineffective Realtor

Traditionally, Apple has created a cutoff point so that newer operating systems are run on devices that the operating system is designed for. This is not just your mid-2009 MacBook...it also applies to certain generations of iPhones, iPads, iPods, iMacs, Mac Minis, etc etc etc. Trying to write software that encompasses the capabilities of all devices is an exercise in frustration. Either you make the software so incredibly fast that the earlier device users are frustrated with trying to get it to run on their dinosaurs, or you write software so incredibly slow that newer device users eschew the software as unusable.

The cutoff point is late 2009.

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Answer 4

CT

Level 7

24,239 points

Jan 19, 2017 7:43 PM in response to Ineffective Realtor

Feedback - Mac OS X - Apple

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