This thread is made to be the go-to thread for anyone getting a brand-old Mac with a Core processor OR those that just wiped their old Core processor Mac and need help getting everything set back up.
FOR GENERAL INFORMATION
Most "general information" questions can be solved by downloading the amazing app called Mactracker. This includes "How much RAM," "What is the max MacOS I can run," or technical specs. The latest version requires 10.12 on their download page. Mactracker is also available on the Mac App Store.
10.4
10.5
10.6
10.7-10.8
10.9 (version 7.7.7, link dead + no archive)
10.10-10.11
10.12+ (latest version)
You can also use "About This Mac," located in the Apple Menu in the upper left-hand corner. On older versions of the MacOS, you will then have to hit "More Info," but newer Macs will take you into a window where you can explore what you have.
MacOS threads
Here is a collection of MacOS threads developed here on MR! Intel Macs can only run from 10.4 on up, with some locked out of even 10.4 or 10.5. Core2Duo Macs, depending on factors, may be able to run up to 10.13. Check Mactracker if you don't know.
If a link isn't there, it doesn't exist and should be made here ASAP.
The Tiger Thread (MacOS 10.4)
The Leopard Thread (MacOS 10.5)
The Snow Leopard Thread (MacOS 10.6)
The Lion Thread (MacOS 10.7)
The Mountain Lion Thread (MacOS 10.8)
The Mavericks Thread (MacOS 10.9)
The Yosemite Thread (MacOS 10.10)
The El Capitan Thread (MacOS 10.11)
The Sierra Thread (macOS 10.12)
The High Sierra Thread (macOS 10.13)
OTHER OS-ES THAT ARE NOT MACOS
Check out this thread: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/operating-systems-for-early-intel-macs.2281008/
GET A WEB BROWSER
Check out this thread for web browser questions: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/web-browsers-for-early-intel-macs.2280783/
INSTALL THE XCODE DEVELOPER TOOLS
Some apps will require the Xcode developer tools. Once Xcode is installed, you can install the CLI tools by selecting it in the installer or with the terminal command
The following links require a free Apple Developer account to download.
10.4
10.5
10.6 (states that it's for Lion, please let us know if it works)
10.7
10.8
10.9
10.10
10.11
10.12
10.13
10.14
10.15 (latest)
11 (latest)
MACPORTS? HOMEBREW?
A whole bunch of software is available once you install XCode. BUT...you need a manager like MacPorts or Homebrew. Follow the links for more information and be sure to hit the right one for your OS.
MacPorts
Homebrew
RUNNING UNSUPPORTED VERSIONS OF macOS
Many Early Intel Macs, especially later Core 2 Duo machines, are perfectly capable of running newer OSs than they were locked at by Apple. However, they are not upgradeable through normal channels like the app store. Thanks to the work of forum members and many others, the process has been made very easy. Each linked thread provides downloads, lists of supported machines, and known issues.
10.12 Sierra
10.13 High Sierra
10.14 Mojave
10.15 Catalina
macOS 11 Big Sur (Still experimental)
FOR GENERAL INFORMATION
Most "general information" questions can be solved by downloading the amazing app called Mactracker. This includes "How much RAM," "What is the max MacOS I can run," or technical specs. The latest version requires 10.12 on their download page. Mactracker is also available on the Mac App Store.
10.4
10.5
10.6
10.7-10.8
10.9 (version 7.7.7, link dead + no archive)
10.10-10.11
10.12+ (latest version)
You can also use "About This Mac," located in the Apple Menu in the upper left-hand corner. On older versions of the MacOS, you will then have to hit "More Info," but newer Macs will take you into a window where you can explore what you have.
MacOS threads
Here is a collection of MacOS threads developed here on MR! Intel Macs can only run from 10.4 on up, with some locked out of even 10.4 or 10.5. Core2Duo Macs, depending on factors, may be able to run up to 10.13. Check Mactracker if you don't know.
If a link isn't there, it doesn't exist and should be made here ASAP.
The Tiger Thread (MacOS 10.4)
The Leopard Thread (MacOS 10.5)
The Snow Leopard Thread (MacOS 10.6)
The Lion Thread (MacOS 10.7)
The Mountain Lion Thread (MacOS 10.8)
The Mavericks Thread (MacOS 10.9)
The Yosemite Thread (MacOS 10.10)
The El Capitan Thread (MacOS 10.11)
The Sierra Thread (macOS 10.12)
The High Sierra Thread (macOS 10.13)
OTHER OS-ES THAT ARE NOT MACOS
Check out this thread: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/operating-systems-for-early-intel-macs.2281008/
GET A WEB BROWSER
Check out this thread for web browser questions: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/web-browsers-for-early-intel-macs.2280783/
INSTALL THE XCODE DEVELOPER TOOLS
Some apps will require the Xcode developer tools. Once Xcode is installed, you can install the CLI tools by selecting it in the installer or with the terminal command
xcode-select --install. This is used for package managers like MacPorts or Homebrew. REMEMBER--If in doubt, check About This Mac first to see what you're running.The following links require a free Apple Developer account to download.
10.4
10.5
10.6 (states that it's for Lion, please let us know if it works)
10.7
10.8
10.9
10.10
10.11
10.12
10.13
10.14
10.15 (latest)
11 (latest)
MACPORTS? HOMEBREW?
A whole bunch of software is available once you install XCode. BUT...you need a manager like MacPorts or Homebrew. Follow the links for more information and be sure to hit the right one for your OS.
MacPorts
Homebrew
RUNNING UNSUPPORTED VERSIONS OF macOS
Many Early Intel Macs, especially later Core 2 Duo machines, are perfectly capable of running newer OSs than they were locked at by Apple. However, they are not upgradeable through normal channels like the app store. Thanks to the work of forum members and many others, the process has been made very easy. Each linked thread provides downloads, lists of supported machines, and known issues.
10.12 Sierra
10.13 High Sierra
10.14 Mojave
10.15 Catalina
macOS 11 Big Sur (Still experimental)
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