What OS can I upgrade my 2007 MacBook Pro to?

Question

What OS can I upgrade my 2007 MacBook Pro to?

Hi there,

I'm running OS 10.6.8 on my 2007 MacBook Pro 17", and I was wondering what I OS I can upgrade to as Chrome and Spotify have been telling me my OS is no longer supported for months.

Under another post it was suggested to look at everymac (dot) com, and found specs saying that the highest OS could be: X 10.11.x, and here's what it had to say:

Details:

*This system fully supports the last version of OS X 10.8 "Mountain Lion" and OS X 10.9 "Mavericks" except for "Power Nap" and "AirPlay Mirroring" (which also requires an Apple TV 2nd Gen or higher). It also supports the last version of OS X 10.10 "Yosemite" and OS X 10.11 "El Capitan" -- including Mac-to-Mac AirDrop capability -- but no other advanced features are supported. It is not capable of running macOS Sierra (10.12) or subsequent versions of the macOS at all.

Please note that OS X "Lion" 10.7 and subsequent versions of OS X are not capable of running Mac OS X apps originally written for the PowerPC processor as these operating systems do not support the "Rosetta" environment. To run PowerPC applications on this Mac, it will be necessary to use Mac OS X 10.6 "Snow Leopard" or earlier.

SO, what would be recommended? And then, how do I find these operating systems? Sorry, I need to have things spelled out for me.

Thanks much!

- Jayme

Here are my specs:

Model Name: MacBook Pro

Model Identifier: MacBookPro5,2

Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo

Processor Speed: 2.66 GHz

Number Of Processors: 1

Total Number Of Cores: 2

L2 Cache: 6 MB

Memory: 4 GB

Bus Speed: 1.07 GHz

Boot ROM Version: MBP52.008E.B05

SMC Version (system): 1.42f4

Serial Number (system): W8****7AP

Hardware UUID: 2377EB14-2FB6-5262-8AF4-A0B6EB126ED3

Sudden Motion Sensor:

State: Enabled

Posted on Nov 8, 2017 9:06 AM

Reply

Answer 1

minacrime

Level 3

809 points

Nov 8, 2017 9:09 AM in response to Jayme Halbritter

This should help! How to download OS X El Capitan - Apple Support

FYI, the serial you posted gives me a 2009 17" - which can still only go to 10.11.

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Answer 2

Allan Jones

Level 9

79,088 points

Nov 8, 2017 9:39 AM in response to Jayme Halbritter

There were two series of MacBook Pros sold in 2007 and I believe that is the source of the conflicting information. The first was simply called "MacBook Pro Core 2 Duo" and was constrained to no higher OS than 10.7 as helper csound1 correctly suggests. Then there are the "Mid/Late 2007" series that can run up to OS 10.11 El Capitan.

However we have two tracks of evidence--your serial number (which I've asked the Host to redact for security reasons) and the model identifier MacBookPro5,2 from System Profiler--that firmly identity yours as the 2009 series, also capable of OS 10.11. So use minacrime's link.

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Answer 3

Csound1

Level 9

60,063 points

Nov 8, 2017 11:03 AM in response to Jayme Halbritter

It is a 2009 model, so use the link previously provided by minacrime,

In addition I would urge you to increase the amount of Ram fitted, 4GB is a little low for many (most) of the newer versions of OSX. 8GB is the supported maximum, and well worth it in your case.

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Answer 4

Allan Jones

Level 9

79,088 points

Nov 8, 2017 9:21 AM in response to Jayme Halbritter

Yes, a "MacBookPro5,2" is confirmed by both MacTracker and EveryMac.com as a 17-inch; Early 2009 model. It can run up to macOS 10.11 so please use minacrime's link. There should be no cost to make this upgrade.

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Answer 5

Nov 8, 2017 11:03 AM in response to Jayme Halbritter

A 5,2 MacBook Pro can update to macOS 10.11 El Capitan directly through the App Store at no cost.

If for any reason El Capitan is not supported on your computer, the Mac App Store will notify you of it before the download even starts, and won't allow it to proceed. So you should have no issue.

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Answer 6

minacrime

Level 3

809 points

Nov 8, 2017 11:08 AM in response to Jayme Halbritter

Folks here like:

8.0GB OWC Memory Upgrade For MacBook, MacBook Pro, iMac, & Mac mini

VERY straightforward upgrade:

https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/MacBook+Pro+17-Inch+Unibody+RAM+Replacement/3419

These guys were made to be upgraded by the user.

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Answer 7

Nov 8, 2017 9:26 AM in response to Jayme Halbritter

Oh wow, that was fast, thanks everyone! So shoot, maybe it is a 2009 then? Could have sworn I got a desktop and laptop at the same time. Hummmmm...

SO, Csound1 you are saying 10.7, but that's under the impression that it's a 2007?

And, if I can run up to 10.11, is it going to "stop me" from downloading it if for some reason I'm not supposed to upgrade that far?

Sorry, a little slow on the process here...

Thank you!

Jayme

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Answer 8

Nov 8, 2017 9:41 AM in response to Jayme Halbritter

Looks like 5,2, but here are the specs:

Model Name: MacBook Pro

Model Identifier: MacBookPro5,2

Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo

Processor Speed: 2.66 GHz

Number Of Processors: 1

Total Number Of Cores: 2

L2 Cache: 6 MB

Memory: 4 GB

Bus Speed: 1.07 GHz

Boot ROM Version: MBP52.008E.B05

SMC Version (system): 1.42f4

Serial Number (system): W8****7AP
<Personal Information Edited by Host>

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Answer 9

Nov 8, 2017 11:05 AM in response to Csound1

Ok.... Oh lordy... the next can of worms... I'll look into how much $$$ it costs to upgrade my RAM to 8 GB, but is that something I can do myself or will I have to take it in? And if I can, do you know a good direction to look into how to do it... and, while I'm at it, where to get RAM for this lovely machine? :^)

Thank you!!!

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Answer 10

Nov 8, 2017 11:23 AM in response to Jayme Halbritter

Good, recommended sources of RAM for Macs are OWC macsales.com and crucial.com.

RAM upgrades for that model and quite simple to do. Just unscrew the bottom panel, and the RAM slots are readily accessible:

MacBook Pro: How to remove or install memory - Apple Support

MacBook Pro Unibody Models RAM Upgrades (2008-2010) - macsales.com

http://www.crucial.com/usa/en/compatible-upgrade-for/Apple/macbook-pro-%2815-inc h%2C-mid-2009%29

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Answer 11

Csound1

Level 9

60,063 points

Nov 8, 2017 9:07 AM in response to Jayme Halbritter

Lion (10.7) is as high as you can go.

Get it here:

OS X Lion (10.7) - Apple

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Answer 12

minacrime

Level 3

809 points

Nov 8, 2017 9:31 AM in response to Jayme Halbritter

The link I left should give you a full run through. It is not going to stop you.

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Answer 13

Csound1

Level 9

60,063 points

Nov 8, 2017 9:36 AM in response to Jayme Halbritter

Lets get the model number, then there can be no error. Open the system report, the model number is listed, it will be in this form 2,1 or 3,1 (just examples)

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