MacBook os 10.6.8

[caperjack]

Hello, i have just bought a used macbook ,running OS 10.6.8 intel 2.1 core 2duo 3gig ram
and i tried to update to os mountian lion ,it says compatibility 10.6.8 or later through the app store but it says i need this intel 2.1 core 2 duo .2gig ram that what i have so why does it not allow me to upgrade ,thanks ,this is my first macbook
thanks in advance

 

[pigoo3]

Your MacBook could be a couple different models...so we need more info before confirming its Mountain Lion compatibility.

- Nick

 

[caperjack]

took a bit but i found where it says its a model 4,1
thank you

Model Name: MacBook
Model Identifier: MacBook4,1
Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo
Processor Speed: 2.1 GHz
Number Of Processors: 1
Total Number Of Cores: 2
L2 Cache: 3 MB
Memory: 3 GB
Bus Speed: 800 MHz
Boot ROM Version: MB41.00C1.B00
SMC Version (system): 1.31f1
Serial Number (system): W882419P0P0
Hardware UUID: F9F5D7E8-5176-583E-86BD-84714F35BFDF
Sudden Motion Sensor:
State: Enabled

 

[chscag]

Lion is the latest version of OS X that you can run on that machine. The reason is because the GPU is not compatible with Mountain Lion. Your MacBook uses an Intel GMA 3100X GPU.

 

[caperjack]

Lion is the latest version of OS X that you can run on that machine. The reason is because the GPU is not compatible with Mountain Lion. Your MacBook uses an Intel GMA 3100X GPU.

thank you ,i thought it would be something like that ,oh well it works great the way it is I just bought it ,my first macbook ,had a old all-in-one imac once for a little while ,maybe someday i will get a new one

 

[pigoo3]

thank you ,i thought it would be something like that ,oh well it works great the way it is I just bought it ,my first macbook ,had a old all-in-one imac once for a little while ,maybe someday i will get a new one

As chscag mentioned...your MacBook is not Mountain Lion supported (which is what I was thinking earlier)...but wanted to confirm the exact MacBook model before answering.

If you want more info...here's the official Apple Mountain Lion compatibility document:

Apple - OS X Mountain Lion - Read the technical specifications.

- Nick

 

[techiesteve]

Your MacBook is the early 2008 model. It's certainly worth upgrading the OS to Lion if you can still buy a copy. It's no longer available as a new download from the App Store, but the USB installers do regularly appear on eBay as here Apple Mac OS X Lion v 10.7 USB thumb drive A1384 | eBay
If you upgrade to Lion it's with upgrading the memory to 4GB, or even 6GB depending upon how you intend to use the MacBook.

 

[chscag]

I have to disagree. I had that exact MacBook except mine had the 2.4 GHZ CPU with 4 GB of memory. When I upgraded from Snow Leopard to Lion, the performance took a hit. Since you can't upgrade to Mountain Lion and you'll likely pay more than Lion is worth on eBay, I would leave it with Snow Leopard 10.6.8. You'll also still be able to run older PPC apps if you have any. Upgrade to Lion and you'll lose that capability.

 

[caperjack]

Thank you for all the reply and the compatibility link ,I will be leaving the laptop as-is , thanks

just read through the compatibility list ,my first thought , and Windows owners complain !

 

[chas_m]

Yes, I suggest leaving it at 10.6.8, but do check Software Update periodically for new security and other updates, as Apple does periodically issue new (very minor) updates for 10.6.8.

It is starting to look like 10.6.x support will be formally dropped when Mavericks (10.9) comes out (this is nothing new, Apple only actively supports the three most current versions of OS X), so you'll be on borrowed time soon, but this is unlikely to have much impact on you for a while, as most applications will continue to be compatible.

You may at some point lose Flash and Java compatibility because they are vermin-riddled cesspools of insecurity and the respective companies MAY stop supporting new updates for 10.6.x at some future time. Again this is all typical for a five-year-plus old model, and won't happen tomorrow or anything, but the clock is counting down on that machine and as long as you're aware of that, it's all good.

 

[caperjack]

Yes, I suggest leaving it at 10.6.8, but do check Software Update periodically for new security and other updates, as Apple does periodically issue new (very minor) updates for 10.6.8.

It is starting to look like 10.6.x support will be formally dropped when Mavericks (10.9) comes out (this is nothing new, Apple only actively supports the three most current versions of OS X), so you'll be on borrowed time soon, but this is unlikely to have much impact on you for a while, as most applications will continue to be compatible.

You may at some point lose Flash and Java compatibility because they are vermin-riddled cesspools of insecurity and the respective companies MAY stop supporting new updates for 10.6.x at some future time. Again this is all typical for a five-year-plus old model, and won't happen tomorrow or anything, but the clock is counting down on that machine and as long as you're aware of that, it's all good.

thank you for that information,most of the apps i click on in the app store need os 10.7 or better ,witch sucks ,again thanks to all for the great info .