jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

My 2012 MacBook Pro is running Yosemite, and that's the end of the line for it. I've been using Chrome, and Chrome suggested I download the latest version. I wanted to use Edge, but I can't use either new Chrome or Edge with this old OS. I guess that's how they get you to buy a new computer. I like using Chrome and Edge because everything is synched to all my devices. Safari can't do that. Several online Apple people have suggested using Edge or Chrome.

I've seen several videos showing how to install a new, current OS onto an old Mac. Have any of you done that? I figure if Apple says I shouldn't do that, maybe I shouldn't.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

If the new Macs have different processors or guts, the new software may not run right.
Same reason that old PCs cannot run Win11.
The old hardware does not support the new software.

My cell phone OS has not been updated in years. Same with some apps.
Forced into getting a new phone.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

That's why I'll stick with the old OS. On the other hand, I have seen videos about install Win11 on old machines.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

... and then the box dies from old age.

FredCM Loc: Central Illinois

I don't recall if Yosemite is 64 bit or not, but the new OS certainly is, and your 2012 Mac is not. Newer versions of the OS generally use more system resources and importantly more CPU cycles. A friend once updated his older Mac and a few days later put the old OS back on, new one gobbled too many resources.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

therwol Loc: USA

Even Microsoft is telling people how to install Windows 11 on unsupported machines, but they also say that they do not guarantee performance or support, including security updates. Now I'm reading that you may see a watermark on your monitor telling you that your hardware is unsupported. One thing that bothers me is that you won't be able to install Windows 11 without a Microsoft account. Sure, I have one. You can't get Office without one. But there are reasons why you might want only a local account on your machine. Not having everything you do tracked by MS, for one.

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

As a long time Windows user, learning MacOS for the first time, this is one of my complaints about Apple. I haven't a clue how old the Yugoslavia operating system is. At least Windows (for the most part) labels their versions numerically. Is there a system to the naming?

Jon_Armitage Loc: Holmfirth, West Yorkshire

Click on the Apple icon top right, and select About This Mac. The installed version of Mac OS is displayed. For example, mine says Monterey Version 12.2.1.

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

I know what OS I'm using (Monterey), but I don't know the sequence. Which one came first? And is there some system or meaning to the names? It's not alphabetical.

Jon_Armitage Loc: Holmfirth, West Yorkshire

A quick google reveals this:

OS X 10 beta: Kodiak - 13 September 2000
OS X 10.0: Cheetah - 24 March 2001
OS X 10.1: Puma - 25 September 2001
OS X 10.2: Jaguar - 24 August 2002
OS X 10.3 Panther (Pinot) - 24 October 2003
OS X 10.4 Tiger (Merlot) - 29 April 2005
[OS X 10.4.4 Tiger (Chardonnay)]
OS X 10.5 Leopard (Chablis) - 26 October 2007
OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard - 28 August 2009
OS X 10.7 Lion (Barolo) - 20 July 2011
OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion (Zinfandel) - 25 July 2012
OS X 10.9 Mavericks (Cabernet) - 22 October 2013
OS X 10.10: Yosemite (Syrah) - 16 October 2014
OS X 10.11: El Capitan (Gala) - 30 September 2015
macOS 10.12: Sierra (Fuji) - 20 September 2016
macOS 10.13: High Sierra (Lobo) - 25 September 2017
macOS 10.14: Mojave (Liberty) - 24 September 2018
macOS 10.15: Catalina (Jazz) - 7 October 2019
macOS 11: Big Sur - 12 November 2020
macOS 12: Monterey - 25 October 2021.

As far as I know, the names are just for marketing purposes, it's the versions that gives the sequence.

Red6

I have updated the OS X on two MacBooks, both 2009 models, from Yosemite (10.10) up to Catalina (10.15) which is only 2 versions back from the current OS Monterey. No problems and they run great and support the later versions of Chrome and Safari. All the Apple OS X versions are available free online. Not sure about Edge, I think that is a Windows browser and have never used it.

That is as far as you can take your Macbooks without issues. After Catalina, there was a major change in the Apple OS and it went to 11 with Big Sur and 12 with Monterey. These were major changes and while some say they will run on older Macs most people have issues after upgrading to this level.

This is not a difficult upgrade and is a great way to extend the life of otherwise good laptops and computers. It is all outlined on how to do it on Youtube. Just search on youtube for upgrading older Macs.

By the way, I also upgraded the RAM and exchanged the hard drives for SSDs. All for around $100. I also took the opportunity to upgrade the batteries with new ones. The batteries were the most expensive upgrade but again, well worth it if you are having battery issues. But, if your batteries are still good, you can do this later.

Red6

I had just the opposite experience. I upgraded two 2009 Macbooks from Yosemite (10.10) to Catalina (10.15) and they were much faster. The articles I read said the later OS versions were more efficient in their use of memory and when coupled with SSDs, for which it was optimized, ran significantly faster than older OS X versions. This was my experience also. New SSD prices are around $50 for 250GB and are a drop-in replacement after cloning your older drive onto it.

I put in a new OS, upgraded RAM and an 250GB SSD and it is like having a new laptop for around $100.

Rich2236 Loc: E. Hampstead, New Hampshire

Hi Jerry, I too have a semi old Mac. I am running MacOS High Sierra. I was notified to upgrade to Mojave. I did and my computer went wild. I could not bring anything up, everything was jumbled. I seemingly lost ALL my photographs. You name it... it went "south." I took the comp to some guru's and they got me back to H. S. Now Apple wants me to upgrade to another system. I WILL NOT SUCCUMB! LOL. I will stick to what I have until my computer dies a natural death, or I do. (LOL which ever comes first.)

kvanhook Loc: Oriental, NC

I wanted to upgrade my iMac but then my Microsoft Office would not work, among other things. Yes, I can upgrade my machine and then be forced to upgrade several pieces of software, and that's not free. Bah Humbug! I went back to a backup and restored my old system. At my age, the iMac may last longer than I do anyway.

Indi Loc: L. I., NY, Palm Beach Cty when it's cold.

Just happened to my wife’s 2012 MacBook Air. 2 days ago it just froze in the middle of her using MS Word. I shut it off and when it started up the progress indicator went about 3/4” and wouldn’t go any further. Went to YouTube for the recommended remedies. Nothing worked. Chatted with Apple and they talked me through reformatting & having to install older OSs. They gave me links which I think I can get you if you need them.
Newest MacOS i could install is Catalina. However, you can’t go from the Original OS directly. You have to go from the Original (Lion) to Sierra, and update to Catalina. That chat saved us about $1000 for not having to buy a new laptop.
If you’re computer still operates, back up all data, files, pictures, downloads, & passwords to an external drive. That always helps to make an old computer run better anyway after a reformat.

Unfortunately, she lost all her crochet patterns, recipes and pictures in the process because it wasn’t backed up.
Let me know if I can help you further.