Just got my first Mac. I need to upgrade OS X

[jana519]

I just got a used Macbook A1342 (2009) handed down to me from a sister. Let me start by saying that even though old, I love everything about it. The build quality is stellar - a magnitude better than my Dell Latitude. Running OS X Lion 10.6.8 looks gorgeous and runs smoothly. I'm really liking my Mac!

I have only one problem: Hearthstone (a PC game) isn't compatible with this version of OS X. Since I primarily use laptops for web browsing and playing lightweight games, I would like to upgrade but OS X Yosemite has gotten especially poor reviews. Additionally, I like the design and UI of 10.6.8 very much and really don't want to change. How can I upgrade to an earlier version of OS X (free)?

 

[Eug]

Even 10.6.x is the earliest that runs on that machine. However, given it can run Yosemite, I wouldn't run 10.6 on it and would install Yosemite. 10.6.8 has far too many limitations in terms of software compatibility. I have machines limited to 10.6.8 and 10.7.5, and am very glad those are not my primary machines. 10.10.4 is simply more flexible. Even just web browsing is sometimes a problem on 10.6.8.

The only thing about Yosemite that some may not like is that it drops the Aqua look and goes with a flat design. Looks more plain.

 

[Ichinisan]

Try the El Capitan public beta. They say it's designed to run better than Yosemite on old hardware.

 

[Essence_of_War]

I have only one problem: Hearthstone (a PC game) isn't compatible with this version of OS X....How can I upgrade to an earlier version of OS X (free)?

If Hearthstone isn't compatible with 10.6.8, then I very much doubt that it will be compatible with an earlier version of OS X.

Or when you say "Earlier" do you mean a post-10.6.8 but pre-yosemite OS X?

 

[Eug]

Try the El Capitan public beta. They say it's designed to run better than Yosemite on old hardware.

El Capitan Public Beta still has significant bugs and software incompatibilities. Because it affected some of the programs I must use, I downgraded back to Yosemite. I haven't tried the latest beta though.

Yosemite runs fast on that hardware though anyway, as long as you have enough RAM... and an SSD. With a laptop platter drive, it could bog down though.

 

[jana519]

If Hearthstone isn't compatible with 10.6.8, then I very much doubt that it will be compatible with an earlier version of OS X.

Or when you say "Earlier" do you mean a post-10.6.8 but pre-yosemite OS X?

Yes, that's what I meant, sorry: earlier than Yosemite, but upgrade from 10.6.8


I have a 5400 HDD and 2GB RAM which suits my purposes just fine. I'm thinking about the El Capitan beta if that runs better, but ideally have 10.7 Mountain Lion would be great. Thanks for all your replies!

 

[dave_the_nerd]

What kind of graphics processor is in that macbook?

Because I'm pretty sure it won't run Hearthstone.

Otherwise, 10.8 is better than 10.7, 10.9 is pointless if you have 10.8, unless you want to run the latest versions of everything, 10.10 is fine - don't listen to the haters, and an SSD plus a RAM upgrade will be the best thing you can do for that machine.

 

[TheStu]

What kind of graphics processor is in that macbook?

Because I'm pretty sure it won't run Hearthstone.

Otherwise, 10.8 is better than 10.7, 10.9 is pointless if you have 10.8, unless you want to run the latest versions of everything, 10.10 is fine - don't listen to the haters, and an SSD plus a RAM upgrade will be the best thing you can do for that machine.

He said it was the A1342, which according to EveryMac.com has the 9400m in it.

OP, have you tried searching on the Mac App Store for whatever version of OS X you're looking for? I'm always running the latest version, I'm honestly not sure if you can download anything other than whatever the latest supported version is.

Also it looks like that thing supports (unofficially) 8GB RAM, do yourself a favor and get an SSD and at least 4GB RAM, or 8 if you can swing it.

 

[Eug]

I have the exact same specs in my 2009 MacBook Pro: 2.26 GHz Core 2 Duo and nVidia GeForce 9400M. It runs fine in Yosemite. IMHO for a Mac in 2015:

10.6.8: Not advisable. Too many limitations.
10.7.5: Not advisable. Some limitations, but not as bad as 10.6.8.
10.8.5: OK, but if you can run 10.8, you may as well run 10.10.
10.9.5: OK, but if you can run 10.9, you may as well run 10.10.
10.10.4: Best option for you, unless you know you have a program that is incompatible with it.
10.11beta: Not advisable, because it's still in beta.

BTW, I have ALL of the non-beta OSes installed on an external hard drive, and currently am running 10.6.8, 10.7.5, and 10.10.4 machines. For the latter, as mentioned, one is a 2.26 GHz Core 2 Duo with nVidia 9400M and it runs great... but with 4 GB RAM and SSD.

The only reason I still have 10.6 and 10.7 on some machines is because they're too old to accept anything newer.

 

[StinkyPinky]

Just install Yosemite. There's nothing wrong with it, and it runs well.

 

[redheeler]

I have the exact same specs in my 2009 MacBook Pro: 2.26 GHz Core 2 Duo and nVidia GeForce 9400M. It runs fine in Yosemite. IMHO for a Mac in 2015:

10.6.8: Not advisable. Too many limitations.
10.7.5: Not advisable. Some limitations, but not as bad as 10.6.8.
10.8.5: OK, but if you can run 10.8, you may as well run 10.10.
10.9.5: OK, but if you can run 10.9, you may as well run 10.10.
10.10.4: Best option for you, unless you know you have a program that is incompatible with it.
10.11beta: Not advisable, because it's still in beta.

BTW, I have ALL of the non-beta OSes installed on an external hard drive, and currently am running 10.6.8, 10.7.5, and 10.10.4 machines. For the latter, as mentioned, one is a 2.26 GHz Core 2 Duo with nVidia 9400M and it runs great... but with 4 GB RAM and SSD.

The only reason I still have 10.6 and 10.7 on some machines is because they're too old to accept anything newer.

My late 2008 MacBook Air with the same GPU has the following OS X versions installed, in the order of most use:

1. 10.6.8
2. 10.11 DP2
3. 10.10.4 & 10.9.5

It's not my main Mac and used for basic tasks, so I'm fine with the limitations in Snow Leopard. 10.11 runs faster than Yosemite, and I've actually found it to be quite stable for a beta.

Now, if this were my main or I was going for maximum stability and compatibility over speed, I'd probably use Yosemite most of the time like you suggested.

 

[Eug]

One reason I don't use the 10.11 El Capitan beta is because it's not compatible with my VPN software.

Also, there are WiFi issues. With the last beta it would take literally minutes for WiFi to connect on my machine. WiFi works perfectly on 10.10 Yosemite.

They must have changed something significant with networking.

---

BTW, Infuse's video streaming over the network is borked on the iOS 9 beta. I wonder if the network changes in OS X El Capitan are mirrored in the iOS 9 beta too.

 

[Rakehellion]

Just install Yosemite. There's nothing wrong with it, and it runs well.

I don't think that GPU is even supported.

 

[Eug]

You haven't been reading the thread. It is supported.

 

[redheeler]

One reason I don't use the 10.11 El Capitan beta is because it's not compatible with my VPN software.

Also, there are WiFi issues. With the last beta it would take literally minutes for WiFi to connect on my machine. WiFi works perfectly on 10.10 Yosemite.

They must have changed something significant with networking.

---

BTW, Infuse's video streaming over the network is borked on the iOS 9 beta. I wonder if the network changes in OS X El Capitan are mirrored in the iOS 9 beta too.

I haven't experienced any WiFi issues in 10.11. As for the VPN software, did you try disabling rootless?

I don't think that GPU is even supported.

As I mentioned in my post above, I already have 10.10.4 installed on the 9400M, and it's supported by Yosemite as well as El Capitan.

Earlier Intel integrated GPUs are not supported by Yosemite.

 

[mmntech]

Yes, the 9400M is definitely supported by Yosemite because I have it running on my MacBook Unibody.

No reason not to upgrade to Yosemite on that Mac. It supports TRIM now for third party drives, so toss an SSD in there and you're laughing. Just avoid the Samsung 8/EVO/Pro series and Crucial drives as they have a TRIM bug that randomly deletes data.

 

[Rakehellion]

Is that the aluminum MacBook?

 

[mmntech]

Is that the aluminum MacBook?

Mine is. Apple only made the one. Guess the polycarbonate chassis were cheaper. Shame because it's a nice laptop. Easy to work on as well.

OP's is the Late-2009, which is identical to mine except it has a faster 2.26ghz C2D and a bigger hard drive.

 

[Eug]

Mine is. Apple only made the one. Guess the polycarbonate chassis were cheaper. Shame because it's a nice laptop. Easy to work on as well.

OP's is the Late-2009, which is identical to mine except it has a faster 2.26ghz C2D and a bigger hard drive.

I skipped that generation, specifically because I wanted Firewire and a backlit keyboard. They added both in the next 13" model, and renamed it a MacBook Pro. Same GPU, but 2.26 GHz C2D... the same as the OP's white MacBook.

 

[mmntech]

I skipped that generation, specifically because I wanted Firewire and a backlit keyboard. They added both in the next 13" model, and renamed it a MacBook Pro. Same GPU, but 2.26 GHz C2D... the same as the OP's white MacBook.

True dat, but I was coming from a iBook G4 so it was a big upgrade. Lack of Firewire was never an issue. Even for video work. We were using Sony ProDisc which had external USB readers. Only the DVCPRO tape decks used FW but I just injested my footage at the editing suite and copied it over. Rare kiI had to use those. AJA still uses Firewire for some odd reason on their KiPro decks.

 

[LexS]

To the OP.
A little late perhaps: from 10.6.8 you can download the latest (now ElCapitan 10.11.1) for free. Works great on your Mac, need 4GB Ram minimum (8GB even better).
The download is about 5GB. Check apps compatibility, very important; do a clean install and install user data and apps by hand: an incompatible app may block the mac, because of the magnificent security barriers in the 10.11 operating system.

 

[lucia]

I'm using OS X 10.10.3 in my rMBP 13''. Still wait for stable EL Capitan haha...

 

[Eug]

10.11 El Capitan is very stable.