Updating OSX 10.8.5 to El Capitan - Meet Requirements, but App store says I don't.

With only 2GB RAM, I'd suggest you stay where you are. Either that or upgrade your RAM to 6 - 8GB for El Capitan.

The RAM specs for El Capitan are vastly understated.

You can try this link if you still want to proceed:

get El Capitan from the App Store

What version of Snow leopard are you running, have you upgraded it to 10.6.8, if not try this, Mac OS X 10.6.8 Update Combo v1.1 download and then double click to install. Then go to the App Store and click on Updates to see if there are any available for you. This may make the earlier link for El Capitan work for you.

Well Apple is correct if you had an El Capitan installer. But as mentioned, it can't be downloaded from the App Store to a machine that can run Sierra. If you know someone who has a Mac that can run El Capitan but not Sierra you could get them to download it for you. Or perhaps an Apple Store could give you a copy if you take them a flash drive. Maybe.

I'm having the same problem except i'm running on snow leopard with 2gb ram. Was told by senior rep. that i could upgrade to el capitan but will not let me get through app store via the link they provided me. they arent in their office today

That's the same link the senior rep gave me. i have an early 2008 iMac only came with 1gb ram. Just put the 2gb in it. was just trying to keep it as modern and up to date as possibe. Thanks for the info anyway

When you click Get how long are you giving it, it may take a while as it has to interrogate your system before it can start downloading, if you are using WiFi it might be better if you can connect your Mac via ethernet.

Your Mac supports Sierra and can be upgraded directly, so it isn’t possible to get a new download of El Capitan on it.

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I agree with macjack although you might get away with 4GB if you don't try and run too many apps at once or anything too memory intensive.

Yes, I have all the way up to combo 1.1

So what happens when you follow the link to El Capitan?

It takes me to the app store and shows everything for el Capitan but won't let me get it

What is the error message?

There isn't one. Click the button "get" and nothing happens

Is anything happening in the Purchased section of the App Store?