Macbook pro Early 2011 - Which OSX version?

[fake.user.user3]

Hi all.
I use a MacBook Pro with OSX 10.7.5 for work and relax.
I would like to update to an higher version of the OS, because a lot of software and updates require it.
Which version of OSX should I update to with this hardware:

MacBook pro, early 2011,
Processor: 2,3 Ghz Intel Core i5
Memory: 4 GB 1333 MHz DDR3
Video: Intel HD Graphics 3000 384 MB
?

I obviously will upgrade only if it to run smoothly

Thanks

 

[Fishrrman]

If you want to use either El Capitan or Sierra, I suggest you put an SSD into it, and bump up the RAM to 8gb...

 

[satinsilverem2]

I would recommend and SSD before RAM.

 

[fake.user.user3]

If you want to use either El Capitan or Sierra, I suggest you put an SSD into it, and bump up the RAM to 8gb...

I would recommend and SSD before RAM.

Thanks for your responses.
Have you any experience with Mountain Lion and Mavericks? They will probably suffice. If I could install one these and avoid to update the hardware it would be better...

 

[CoastalOR]

Thanks for your responses.
Have you any experience with Mountain Lion and Mavericks? They will probably suffice. If I could install one these and avoid to update the hardware it would be better...

I had Mountain Lion on a late 2011 MBP with 4 Gb RAM & the stock 5400 RPM spinner and it was fine. I also moved on to Mavericks on the same MBP, but felt performance was lagging so I increased the Ram & added a SSD and it worked great. Like previously suggested by satinsilverem2, I got the biggest performance boost from the SSD.

 

[fake.user.user3]

I had Mountain Lion on a late 2011 MBP with 4 Gb RAM & the stock 5400 RPM spinner and it was fine. I also moved on to Mavericks on the same MBP, but felt performance was lagging so I increased the Ram & added a SSD and it worked great. Like previously suggested by satinsilverem2, I got the biggest performance boost from the SSD.

Ok, I understand. I will opt for mountain lion then, at least for now.
Thank you all for the info and the help guys.

 

[mjohansen]

I have the same spec. I replaced the HDD with a SSD and Sierra is running very smoothly.