new to mac want to upgrade OSX

[cowdude]

Hello,
I am an immigrant from Windows to OSX. I got an iPhone and then a MacBook.
Specs:
Model name: MacBook
Model Identifier: MacBook 4.1
Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo
Processor Speed: 2.1 GHZ
Number of Processoer: 1
Total Number of Cores: 2
L2 Cache: 3MB
Memory: 2GB (Crucial)
Bus Speed: 800 MHZ
Boot Rom:
MB41.00C1.B00
SMC Version(system): 458470KT67C
Hardware UUID: 62A49E80-0617-5D0D-930-9295076901D9
Samsung 840 EVO 120GB SSD

I know it's running 10.6.8 and would like to know how far up the OSX ladder I can take this puppy and be stable.
I go to some web sites and it tells me that my safari browser is out of date. I get that and have Chrome. I have a few apps on it and hope I don't have to format to upgrade. I have the original SATA drive for backup just to make sure I can restore if things go the wrong way.
thanks in advance for any tips.
PS: I'm a MacNoob here, but I do know about computers so you don't have to dumb things down as much.

 

[chscag]

That machine can only be updated to Lion (OS X 10.7.5). The reason it can't go any higher is because of the graphics processor which is an integrated Intel GM X3100. In my opinion you would be better off leaving it at Snow Leopard (10.6.8) and add memory. Your machine can be upgraded to 4 GB. And you can replace the hard drive with a SSD.

 

[cowdude]

As it is right now I have found that a lot of the apps that I would like to use require 10.8 or higher. I guess I'm stuck on that issue it seems. I don't expect to play games like BF4 or COD on this thing. I have several office type apps and only chess to play. I wanted to be able to use icloud and to share files on my iPhone but it doesn't work with 10.6.8. My macBook pairs to my iPhone, but they won't connect on Bluetooth. I can plug in to USB, but only Itunes sees the phone.As far as memory, I couldn't afford 2 =2gb sticks now but I will upgrade to 4gb as soon as I can.
Thanks for the insight and I will give 10.7 a go and see how it runs. I have a back up if it doesn't.

 

[Slydude]

I think the problem with the phones is that under Bluetooth they will pair with the Mac but noted a file transfer. Other than iCloud I usually resort to e-mailing the files or sending them through the Messages app if they are small.

There is also some software out there that lets you mount the phone almost like a drive and move files. I haven't had occasion to use one of these programs but here's one as an example. The buy page says it works with OS X 10.6 and higher and also needs iTunes 10.