MacBook Pro. Which upgrade should I do first?

MacBook Pros were not introduced until Early 2006. It will be helpful to confirm your sub-model. With OS 10.6 you can do "About this Mac..." from your Apple menu to get this:

then click the "More Info..." button to launch System Profiler.

Profiler's first page looks like this:

Note the line where I've indicted a code with the red arrow. On your computer what is that code? Please do not post your serial number.

Consider your RAM. Many MacBook Pros that shipped with OS 10.6.8 came with only 2GB RAM installed. El Capitan will not be very happy with only 2GB. With your sub-model information and how much RAM is installed noted, we can better advise you if you need more RAM to accompany the OX upgrade.

Very Good. How much RAM is installed now? It will be under "Memory" in the "About the Mac" window.

The 7,1 code shows you have a mid-2010 13-inch MacBook Pro. It can use up to 8GB RAM. If you have 4GB already you should be OK unless you do a lot of photo or video editing with pro-level software. That model will run the latest release of macOS, High Sierra, so links that give owners of older models El Capitan may not work from your computer. I defer to Niel on that matter.

You can add RAM to that model yourself. It is about a 10-minute job. If you are in the US, the majority of senior contributors recommend either Other World Computing or Crucial for known-good, Mac-compatible RAM. If the "nz" in your user name means you are in New Zealand, then I'll need fo check with some of my colleagues for a recommended RAM source!

I avoid "PNY" RAM, and the low-cost or "ValueRAM" sold under the Kingston and Corsair names. All have shown up here in trouble reports. Both Corsair and Kingston have premuium RAM that works fine in Macs but most resellers don't stock anything but the cheaper product because RAM is so price-sensitive.

That model will run the latest release of macOS, High Sierra, so links that give owners of older models El Capitan may not work from your computer.

They will. It isn’t possible to upgrade straight from 10.6.8 to Sierra or High Sierra, or 10.7.5 to High Sierra, regardless of hardware compatibility.

(155847)

Thanks, Allison!

Yes, you have 4GB. The first report shows each of two RAM banks (slots) separately. 2 + 2

For RAM I'd try is seeing if Crucial offers a NZ site or allows you to use the UK site.

I found this but have no idea of their reputation:

https://www.upgradeable.co.nz/apple/MacBook_Pro/MacBook_Pro_2010_(Mid)_Core_2_** o_2.4Ghz_13-inch

My only concern was that they show a 16GB option for your computer. Then I looked at my preferred US RAM vendor, OWC< and see that for the MacBook Pro7,1 they also show a 16GB option specifically for the 7,1:

MacBook Pro Memory Upgrade Kits (2008-2010)

Upgradeable's contact info shows they are also a RAM manufacturer (in Oz) as well as a reseller, and all their solid-state drives appear to be Crucial brand. And they confess to being Mac users. From one of their pages:

Everyone at Upgradeable is a Mac user, we own Macs, we love our Macs.

Could be good.

I don't think you need 16GB. My 2012 13-inch MacBook Pro (same family as yours) has 8GB and has never "run out" of RAM according to both Activity Monitor and Etrecheck. If 4GB seems too little, I think 8GB would handle all you need unless you use the computer to do seriously heavy-duty pro apps.

You need to upgrade the OS first.

(155824)

Thanks Niel, good info.