Mavericks on older Macbook - how much memory?

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Is it possible to get Mavericks performing at a usable speed on an older MacBook? Will extra memory solve the performance problems? How much memory? What kind?

I have two antique machines ... and I'm saving my money to buy a new MacBook later in the year - when Apple are expected to release a significant update.

But I want to run XCode 5.x on at least one MacBook.

The two computers are:

1. A white plastic unibody 13" Macbook with rubber-sheet base. 2.4GHz Intel Core Duo. 2GB 1067 MHz DDR3 memory.

2. An aluminium 13" MacBook (one-of-a-kind - later Apple released a "Pro" with a similar design). Similar specs as above.

... both currently running Snow Leopard.

I've already tried installing Mavericks on the metal mac - it has slowed down considerably. Will more memory solve this? Will the responsiveness get back to what it is with Snow Leopard? - or will Mavericks always be slower than older OSes on older hardware?

I just want the cheapest solution to run XCode 5.x with my current hardware.
 

chscag

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Your Mac's Specs
2017 27" iMac, 10.5" iPad Pro, iPhone 8, iPhone 11, iPhone 12 Mini, Numerous iPods, Monterey
The aluminum model (late 2008) can take up to 8 GB of memory and should be able to run Mavericks fairly well. Investing in a SSD for that machine will give it a nice boost in speed.

The white MacBook according to Mactracker can take 16 GB of memory and again a SSD in that machine would give it a good boost in speed. No problem running Mavericks.
 

pigoo3

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2017 15" MBP, 16gig ram, 1TB SSD, OS 10.15
The white MacBook according to Mactracker can take 16 GB of memory and again a SSD in that machine would give it a good boost in speed. No problem running Mavericks.

Just amazing that 2010 White MacBook can take 16gig of ram!:)

- Nick
 

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