Mojave Update. MacBook Pro early 2011.

Because Apple has decided on the following hardware requirements for Mojave:

stateofthej wrote:

My thoughtful replies tend to get deleted, Bob, so read it quick. My 2011 MBP runs faster than my 2016 MacBook, and the claim that "it can't run Metal, therefore they it can't run Mojave" doesn't seem to bear out.

I don't think I was responding to you nor did I see any other post from you. I suggest if you are having an issue with your 2011 or 2016 MacBook Pro that you start your own thread providing details of your issue. Starting your own thread will ensure you get focused assistance on your specific issue.

I have the same problem with my early 2011 mbp as well, does anyone or admin know of what graphics card would be compatible with that model and would be able to run METL. I believe we can upgrade that MBP with a new graphics card.

Why would a Macbook Pro, Mid 2010 be compatible with Mojave and not the Early 2011?! My computer is technically newer, correct? If my computer doesn't have the correct GPU's then they need to tell us how to get them updated so it does!

I suggest you become familiar with your computer model and its capabilities before you try to upgrade its operating system.. A Mac Pro is not the same as a MacBook Pro. Two completely separate computer models with different hardware and capabilities.

Ok later still but your explanation was the clearest thus far. I believe I may have the same device as yourself. MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2011) Model Identifier: MacBookPro8,2 Part Numbers: MD322xx/A, MD318xx/A My MBP runs pretty well too on High Sierra and is a good machine so my question is.... Is there any benefit to upgrading to the Mojave at this time or will I still have usability on my current device for a while later?

AFAIK, GPU is soldered to the Mainboard on MacBook Pros, as is the CPU. I don't see any feasible (easy) way to upgrade GPU? IMHO, not worth the hassle to rework the motherboard, even if you COULD figure out how to do it with a compatible GPU.

BTW, I've done the same BT LE/Airport card upgrade on my MBP. It is still working great for me, with latest High Sierra. (My main motivation for handoff was for the Hot Spot function...) I just go into recovery after MacOS updates and turn off SIP and then make sure CAT is active and running. Then I turn SIP off again with the "--without kext" modifier. Anyway, if replacing the GPU was as simple as this upgrade, I'd have done it a long time ago...

Apple likes to solder everything to the Mainboard now, so you can't upgrade anything anymore....which is one of the reasons why I haven't had the incentive to spend $$$$ on a new MBP. I've tried out models since 2013 at the Apple Store, and frankly don't see any real performance improvements that justify an almost $4K spend just to match my basic specs from my 2011 MBP. (Quad-core i7, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD). IMHO, Apple has abandoned the enthusiast/evangelist segment. I still prefer MacOS and the Apple ecosystem between my devices, but my next notebook will likely NOT be an Apple. I completely disagree with the HW design choices, lack of upgradability, and product lifecycle management choices/strategy they've made. It is exactly the opposite of what made me be an evangelist in the first place. If you need a new computer today, I cannot in good conscience recommend Apple anymore over the competition...they just don't have anything these days in the Mac lineup to justify the obscene $$$ difference over the competition. I guess the fundamental issue is their Mac Product lineup just doesn't "delight" me anymore... ;-) The most disappointing thing is that it is now obvious they simply don't care they've alienated all of us enthusiasts who helped them sell computers and the ecosystem in the first place. Such is life... I guess when you can't innovate effectively anymore, you just build planned obsolescence into the products so folks just throw them away and buy new. Problem is, often those folks don't end up buying YOUR "new", but rather your competitor's "new", which often invariably provides better value.

Tip to Computer makers: You are missing competitive advantage in not producing products which allow for easy upgrades for parts that wear out or improve faster than you can release new product: Hard Drive, RAM, W-Fi, Battery, GPU, CPU. I firmly believe that the company who goes back to designing products with these components in "modular", replaceable form will see higher sales over the competition. (Especially RAM, HD, and battery). I also believe this is possible, and still adhere to the "thinner is better" model...

This is the problem with most apple users. Stop making excuses for apple, your point is totally invalid. My 2011 MacBook Pro is not compatible with OS Mojave. My MB Por is only 8 years old. I have a laptop which I got it back in 1999, that's a 20 years old machine I've installed Window 10 on it without any problem. So I can install windows on a 20 years old machine but I cannot install Mojave on a 8 years old machine. And you claim that this is not money grab practice. Stop fulling yourself.

It's simply not possible to design a device that will be infinitely compatible—this would involve knowing all of the compatibilities of all future software that will ever be released. If Apple really was greedy and wanted us to purchase new devices every other year, then it would follow that Apple wouldn't support devices for as long as they do—Mojave wouldn't still be supporting laptops from 2012.

Do you really expect to be using your 2011 laptop in the year 2050? For all we know, 2055 will see computers that are controlled through voice only.. and keyboards and trackpads will have long since become obsolete.

I have to disagree. If Steve Jobs was still alive, there would be NO unsupported mamas. This was not his vision. Its in his book. Since his death Apple has changed a great deal. More of the manufacturing has gone to China. Quality has dropped. This is one reason I chose to update my hardware instead buying new. I have a 17 inch HD screen. My computer with its higher ram, new motherboard and ssd hard drive screams and out shines any new Mac. When I bring it in for little problems, all caused by apple, the techs tell me to use my computer until it really breaks. Apple made a MISTAKE stopping the production of the 17 inch monitor and the hardware of this machine. They wish they still had one like mine. So yes, Apple had this planned all along to buy another $3500 machine to add to there bottom line. Im a capitalist and understand why they did this. As a stockholder I am disgusted by Apples action here.

I have more of an issue with the fact that Mac laptops released after 2015 have all had issues, there have been no Mac Pros since 2013 (and those were a mistake), the Mini has been allowed to languish until recently, and many of these models have soldered or glued parts that cannot be easily serviced or upgraded. Adding to that frustrating situation is the fact that Apple is pushing out OS upgrades on a yearly schedule that makes no practical sense.

We only have one Mac more recent than 2012, because of the shortcomings of the hardware released since then. Thanks to SSDs, RAM upgrades, and so forth, these 2012 and earlier models are all still great, fast, functional machines.

Security updates for older models should be provided.

We have 6 computers here that could run Mojave, and not one has been "upgraded". One reason is that anything with a SSD installed will be converted to APFS. I'm not willing to take that plunge yet: the file system is pretty important, after all. Another reason is that I need the software that I use now far more than I need Mojave.

The safest procedure with OS "upgrades" is to wait for the final release, after doing your homework about hardware and software compatibility, and then to install on a test basis on a spare drive, so that you can avoid being a guinea pig, with no easy way to restore what was working before the upgrade.

It was under Steve Job's reign that all manufacturing was eventually moved to China

(except the 2013 MacPro "experiment"). Also, under his watch, not all Macs were supported

with every new macOS release and there were in fact "unsupported mamas".

If Apple wanted you to buy a new computer every year, why did they wait for 7 years in your case?

I have the same issue as the OP, thank you for your considerate response.

My rig is almost identical, same issue. Apple's assertion that the hardware/platforms aren't compatible doesn't seem to bear out.