Which Mac OS for my Macbook Pro

jonnyukbravo · jonnyukbravo #1 (**permalink**)

01-21-2012, 04:14 AM

Which is the latest version of Mac OS that I can run on my MBP? It's about five years old and is currently running OS 10.5.8. It's a 2.4 Ghz Intel Core Duo with 4GB 667 Mhz DDR2 SDRAM

Thanks
John

louishen · louishen #2 (**permalink**)

01-21-2012, 07:59 AM

If its a Core Duo chip then it'll run 10.6 Snow leopard

I suspect it mat be a Core 2 Duo model, in which case it'll run the latest 10.7 Lion

Ctrl-Opt-Del · Ctrl-Opt-Del #3 (**permalink**)

01-21-2012, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by louishen

If its a Core Duo chip then it'll run 10.6 Snow leopard

I suspect it mat be a Core 2 Duo model, in which case it'll run the latest 10.7 Lion

Note to the OP; if it is a C2D then it will be able to run 10.7, but you will need to upgrade to 10.6 Snow Leopard first, as you'll need access to the Mac App Store to download the Lion installer.

vansmith · vansmith #4 (**permalink**)

01-21-2012, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ctrl-Opt-Del

Note to the OP; if it is a C2D then it will be able to run 10.7, but you will need to upgrade to 10.6 Snow Leopard first, as you'll need access to the Mac App Store to download the Lion installer.

Not necessarily. While that is one option, you could purchase the Lion USB drive and upgrade directly. This, of course, is contingent on having the proper processor.

Ctrl-Opt-Del · Ctrl-Opt-Del #5 (**permalink**)

01-21-2012, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vansmith

Not necessarily. While that is one option, you could purchase the Lion USB drive and upgrade directly.

Well, yes, technically; but the USB option is only really necessary/worthwhile if one has a poor internet connection, as the cost of the Lion installer USB stick is considerably greater than the cost of the Snow Leopard installer DVD & Lion upgrade app combined.

RavingMac · RavingMac #6 (**permalink**)

01-21-2012, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ctrl-Opt-Del

Well, yes, technically; but the USB option is only really necessary/worthwhile if one has a poor internet connection, as the cost of the Lion installer USB stick is considerably greater than the cost of the Snow Leopard installer DVD & Lion upgrade app combined.

While I would personally choose the route you mention. Unless UK prices are markedly different from US, the difference is only $11 USD. $69 vs $58

http://store.apple.com/us/product/MD256

vansmith · vansmith #7 (**permalink**)

01-21-2012, 12:27 PM

I'm going to assume the OP is from the UK (the username gives it away). If that's the case, Lion is £21 and SL is £26. The Lion USB key is £55 so the difference really isn't all that great. So, true, it is cheaper to go the SL > Lion route but the straight to Lion route isn't all that much more expensive. That's not to mention that you save time while getting a "hard" copy of the OS.

Ctrl-Opt-Del · Ctrl-Opt-Del #8 (**permalink**)

01-21-2012, 12:36 PM

They've obviously changed the prices since the last time I looked, I'm pretty sure the USB stick was £69 when first released in the UK...

Still, it's good to have options

cwa107 · cwa107 #9 (**permalink**)

01-21-2012, 06:06 PM

Thread moved to more appropriate forum. Please read before posting in Rumors & Reports.

dmccloud · dmccloud #10 (**permalink**)

01-21-2012, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vansmith

I'm going to assume the OP is from the UK (the username gives it away). If that's the case, Lion is £21 and SL is £26. The Lion USB key is £55 so the difference really isn't all that great. So, true, it is cheaper to go the SL > Lion route but the straight to Lion route isn't all that much more expensive. That's not to mention that you save time while getting a "hard" copy of the OS.

Another thing to keep in mind is that while you can do an in-place upgrade from Leopard to SL to Lion, you might not be able to do the same going from Leopard to Lion.

Ctrl-Opt-Del · Ctrl-Opt-Del #11 (**permalink**)

01-22-2012, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmccloud

Another thing to keep in mind is that while you can do an in-place upgrade from Leopard to SL to Lion, you might not be able to do the same going from Leopard to Lion.

Another good point, the Lion USB stick definitely will allow for a fresh install from any version; but it may not allow an upgrade from Leopard while preserving all apps & files, where as the Snow Leopard upgrade DVD followed by Lion upgrade app will.

louishen #2 (permalink)
Member Since: Oct 22, 2007 Location: London Posts: 8,684 Mac Specs: Mac Mini Core i7 2012 \| White 2009 MacBook 2 Ghz \| 733 Mhz G4 Quicksilver	01-21-2012, 07:59 AM If its a Core Duo chip then it'll run 10.6 Snow leopard I suspect it mat be a Core 2 Duo model, in which case it'll run the latest 10.7 Lion Member of the Month September 2008 & August 2012 \| Found advice useful? – use the rep system
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vansmith #7 (permalink)
Member Since: Oct 19, 2008 Location: Ottawa Posts: 15,463 Mac Specs: 2012 13" MBP (2.5 i5, 8GB)	01-21-2012, 12:27 PM I'm going to assume the OP is from the UK (the username gives it away). If that's the case, Lion is £21 and SL is £26. The Lion USB key is £55 so the difference really isn't all that great. So, true, it is cheaper to go the SL > Lion route but the straight to Lion route isn't all that much more expensive. That's not to mention that you save time while getting a "hard" copy of the OS. Important Links: Community Guidelines : Use the reputation system if you've been helped. M-F Blog :: Write for the blog :: M-F IRC Channel - Chats every Sunday at 8PM EST.
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Ctrl-Opt-Del #8 (permalink)
Member Since: Sep 14, 2011 Location: Brighton, East Sussex, England, GB Posts: 267 Mac Specs: Not got one, yet...	01-21-2012, 12:36 PM They've obviously changed the prices since the last time I looked, I'm pretty sure the USB stick was £69 when first released in the UK... Still, it's good to have options For my purposes as an engineering undergraduate; Windows is respectable (& generally necessary), Linux is admirable (& often useful), OS X is enjoyable (& requires no further justification, although plenty could be given)!
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cwa107 #9 (permalink)
Member Since: Dec 20, 2006 Location: Middletown, Pennsylvania Posts: 25,951 Mac Specs: 15" MBP, Core i7/2GHz, 8GB RAM, 256GB Crucial M4 SSD	01-21-2012, 06:06 PM Thread moved to more appropriate forum. Please read before posting in Rumors & Reports. Liquid and computers don't mix. It might seem simple, but we see an incredible amount of people post here about spills. Keep drinks and other liquids away from your expensive electronics!
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jonnyukbravo #1 (permalink)
Member Since: Feb 19, 2008 Posts: 3	01-21-2012, 04:14 AM Which is the latest version of Mac OS that I can run on my MBP? It's about five years old and is currently running OS 10.5.8. It's a 2.4 Ghz Intel Core Duo with 4GB 667 Mhz DDR2 SDRAM Thanks John
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