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is it worth updating an old macbook OS X 10.6.8 to the latest version

I have a super old macbook circa 2007/2008 that still mostly works. With the help of an external hard drive, I still have approx 55 gigs of disk space left. I haven't been able to update Chrome or Firefox in years since my OS version is unsupported. And just yesterday, I started to get the spinning rainbow anytime I try to open an application or navigate on a browser. I've tried the repair disk functionality, looked at Activity Monitors, etc. and didn't see anything concerning.


What would it take to upgrade to the newest OS? And is it even worth it? Or is my macbook approaching end of life and I just need to make sure I back everything up?


Any other thoughts on how I can make my macbook functional again? Any help is greatly appreciated.

MacBook, Mac OS X (10.6.8)

Posted on Aug 10, 2017 12:59 PM

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Question marked as Best reply

Posted on Aug 10, 2017 1:25 PM

Updating won't make the computer run faster. Furthermore, you may run into compatibility issues with any older software that you still use. If you want to improve the computer's performance, then do this:


Snow Leopard Erase and Install


If possible be sure to back up your files.


  1. Insert Snow Leopard DVD into the optical drive and restart the computer.
  2. Immediately upon hearing the chime hold down the C key.
  3. Release the key when the Apple logo appears and wait for the loading to finish.
  4. After the installer loads select your language and click on the Continue button. When the menu bar appears select Disk Utility from the Utilities' menu. After Disk Utility loads select the out-dented disk entry from the side list (mfgr.'s ID and drive size.) Click on the Partition tab in the Disk Utility’s right window. Set the number of partitions to one (1) from the drop down menu. Click on the Options button and select GUID, click OK button, set the format type to MacOS Extended, Journaled. Finally, click on the Apply button.
  5. After formatting has finished quit Disk Utility. Continue with the OS X installation and follow the directions.
  6. When the installation has finished the computer will restart into the Setup Assistant. After you complete the Setup Assistant you will be running a fresh installation of Snow Leopard. Open Software Update and install the recommended updates.
  7. If you are planning to sell or give your computer away, then do the following: After you reformat your hard drive and reinstall Snow Leopard, the computer restarts to a Welcome screen. To leave the Mac in an OOTB (Out Of The Box) state, don't continue with the setup. Instead, press Command and Q keys to shut down the computer. The Setup Assistant will guide the new owner through the setup process after he/she turns on the computer.
  8. Download and install Mac OS X 10.6.8 Update Combo v1.1. It is not needed if you are selling or giving away the computer.


Upgrading to El Capitan


To upgrade to El Capitan you must have Snow Leopard 10.6.8 or Lion installed. Download El Capitan from the App Store. Sign in using your Apple ID. El Capitan is free. The file is quite large, over 5 GBs, so allow some time to download. It would be preferable to use Ethernet because it is nearly four times faster than wireless.



Macs that can be upgraded to OS X El Capitan


1. iMac (Mid 2007 or newer) - Model Identifier 7,1 or later

2. MacBook (Late 2008 Aluminum, or Early 2009 or newer) - Model Identifier 5,1 or later

3. MacBook Pro (Mid/Late 2007 or newer) - Model Identifier 3,1 or later

4. MacBook Air (Late 2008 or newer) - Model Identifier 2,1 or later

5. Mac mini (Early 2009 or newer) - Model Identifier 3,1 or later

6. Mac Pro (Early 2008 or newer) - Model Identifier 3,1 or later

7. Xserve (Early 2009) - Model Identifier 3,1 or later


To find the model identifier open System Profiler in the Utilities' folder. It's displayed in the panel on the right.


Upgrading to Lion


If your computer does not meet the requirements to install El Capitan, it may still meet the requirements to install Lion.


You can purchase Lion at the Online Apple Store. The cost is $19.99 (as it was before) plus tax. It's a download. You will get an email containing a redemption code that you can use at the Mac App Store to download Lion. Save a copy of that installer to your Downloads folder because the installer deletes itself at the end of the installation.


Lion System Requirements


1. Mac computer with an Intel Core 2 Duo, Core i3, Core i5, Core i7,

or Xeon processor

2. 2GB of memory

3. OS X v10.6.6 or later (v10.6.8 recommended)

4. 7GB of available space

5. Some features require an Apple ID; terms apply.


Are my applications compatible? See App Compatibility Table - RoaringApps.

3 replies
Question marked as Best reply

Aug 10, 2017 1:25 PM in response to nicimak

Updating won't make the computer run faster. Furthermore, you may run into compatibility issues with any older software that you still use. If you want to improve the computer's performance, then do this:


Snow Leopard Erase and Install


If possible be sure to back up your files.


  1. Insert Snow Leopard DVD into the optical drive and restart the computer.
  2. Immediately upon hearing the chime hold down the C key.
  3. Release the key when the Apple logo appears and wait for the loading to finish.
  4. After the installer loads select your language and click on the Continue button. When the menu bar appears select Disk Utility from the Utilities' menu. After Disk Utility loads select the out-dented disk entry from the side list (mfgr.'s ID and drive size.) Click on the Partition tab in the Disk Utility’s right window. Set the number of partitions to one (1) from the drop down menu. Click on the Options button and select GUID, click OK button, set the format type to MacOS Extended, Journaled. Finally, click on the Apply button.
  5. After formatting has finished quit Disk Utility. Continue with the OS X installation and follow the directions.
  6. When the installation has finished the computer will restart into the Setup Assistant. After you complete the Setup Assistant you will be running a fresh installation of Snow Leopard. Open Software Update and install the recommended updates.
  7. If you are planning to sell or give your computer away, then do the following: After you reformat your hard drive and reinstall Snow Leopard, the computer restarts to a Welcome screen. To leave the Mac in an OOTB (Out Of The Box) state, don't continue with the setup. Instead, press Command and Q keys to shut down the computer. The Setup Assistant will guide the new owner through the setup process after he/she turns on the computer.
  8. Download and install Mac OS X 10.6.8 Update Combo v1.1. It is not needed if you are selling or giving away the computer.


Upgrading to El Capitan


To upgrade to El Capitan you must have Snow Leopard 10.6.8 or Lion installed. Download El Capitan from the App Store. Sign in using your Apple ID. El Capitan is free. The file is quite large, over 5 GBs, so allow some time to download. It would be preferable to use Ethernet because it is nearly four times faster than wireless.



Macs that can be upgraded to OS X El Capitan


1. iMac (Mid 2007 or newer) - Model Identifier 7,1 or later

2. MacBook (Late 2008 Aluminum, or Early 2009 or newer) - Model Identifier 5,1 or later

3. MacBook Pro (Mid/Late 2007 or newer) - Model Identifier 3,1 or later

4. MacBook Air (Late 2008 or newer) - Model Identifier 2,1 or later

5. Mac mini (Early 2009 or newer) - Model Identifier 3,1 or later

6. Mac Pro (Early 2008 or newer) - Model Identifier 3,1 or later

7. Xserve (Early 2009) - Model Identifier 3,1 or later


To find the model identifier open System Profiler in the Utilities' folder. It's displayed in the panel on the right.


Upgrading to Lion


If your computer does not meet the requirements to install El Capitan, it may still meet the requirements to install Lion.


You can purchase Lion at the Online Apple Store. The cost is $19.99 (as it was before) plus tax. It's a download. You will get an email containing a redemption code that you can use at the Mac App Store to download Lion. Save a copy of that installer to your Downloads folder because the installer deletes itself at the end of the installation.


Lion System Requirements


1. Mac computer with an Intel Core 2 Duo, Core i3, Core i5, Core i7,

or Xeon processor

2. 2GB of memory

3. OS X v10.6.6 or later (v10.6.8 recommended)

4. 7GB of available space

5. Some features require an Apple ID; terms apply.


Are my applications compatible? See App Compatibility Table - RoaringApps.

Aug 10, 2017 2:16 PM in response to nicimak

I would suggest the latter but if Time Machine is what you use then use it. Just be sure you have a current backup just in case. You will be erasing the drive and installing a clean copy of OS X. Be sure you then restore only current versions of the software you normally use from day to day. If you don't have current versions then upgrade what you have.


Your computer will run best if you install the least amount of third-party software and keep peripherals to a minimum.

is it worth updating an old macbook OS X 10.6.8 to the latest version

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