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msummers

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jul 8, 2012
10
0
Hello
I am looking to purchase an White Macbook 2010 or Late 2009
I will be hoping to get an ssd installed and at least 4g of ram
but not sure what the best os would be
I heard the newer can be slow at times
I will be doing web facebook and maybe youtube
what do you suggest
 

EugW

macrumors G5
Jun 18, 2017
14,649
12,571
Depends on what you do but I would recommend 10.12 Sierra if you have an SSD. 4 GB is OK but 8 GB is preferred. (2 GB is horrible.)

I run 10.13 High Sierra on all my machines including ones older than the ones you listed but it should be noted that High Sierra causes more compatibility issues with with some legacy software. There is also a rare video glitch with GeForce 9400M:

https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...cbook6-1-please-try-this-safari-test.2069901/
 

ckeck

macrumors 6502a
Jul 29, 2005
717
65
Texas
Depends on what you do but I would recommend 10.12 Sierra if you have an SSD. 4 GB is OK but 8 GB is preferred. (2 GB is horrible.)

I run 10.13 High Sierra on all my machines including ones older than the ones you listed but it should be noted that High Sierra causes more compatibility issues with with some legacy software. There is also a rare video glitch with GeForce 9400M:

https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...cbook6-1-please-try-this-safari-test.2069901/

What method are you using to install Sierra or High Sierra on your older Macs?
 

EugW

macrumors G5
Jun 18, 2017
14,649
12,571
What method are you using to install Sierra or High Sierra on your older Macs?
10.12: http://dosdude1.com/sierrapatch.html
10.13: http://dosdude1.com/highsierra/

It should be noted that my aluminum 2008 MacBook5,1 and my aluminum 2009 MacBookPro5,5 are basically identical to the white 2009 MacBook6,1 so it's a travesty that they aren't natively supported by Sierra and High Sierra.

However, given that they are nearly identical to MacBook6,1, it is no surprise they work fine with these OSes, and even have the same High Sierra video glitch as MacBook6,1.
 
Last edited:

ckeck

macrumors 6502a
Jul 29, 2005
717
65
Texas
10.12: http://dosdude1.com/sierrapatch.html
10.13: http://dosdude1.com/highsierra/

It should be noted that my aluminum 2008 MacBook5,1 and my aluminum 2009 MacBookPro5,5 are basically identical to the white 2009 MacBook6,1 so it's a travesty that they aren't natively supported by Sierra and High Sierra.

However, given that they are nearly identical to MacBook6,1, it is no surprise they work fine with these OSes, and even have the same High Sierra video glitch as MacBook6,1.

Thank you!
 

Project Alice

macrumors 68020
Jul 13, 2008
2,078
2,158
Post Falls, ID
Run high sierra. I have 2009 MacBook as well, it's my main laptop. I put a 500GB hybrid drive in it (SSHD), and it still only has 4GB. You'd be surprised how fast it is. It loads web pages smoothly, can play most games that came out around the time it was built. It plays YouTube at 1080 or 720 with no issue.

You might have to upgrade the wireless card, there's a list of wireless cards that are compatible with high sierra. I got mine for like 15 bucks on eBay.
As for ram, just get two ddr2 4GB sticks. Most people will tell you that only 6 will work, I'm certain this only applies to the 2008 models. It's been tested a couple times in 2009 and people said it works. I have yet to order new ram but I will eventually.
 

BODYBUILDERPAUL

Suspended
Feb 9, 2009
1,773
1,438
Barcelona
Depends on what you do but I would recommend 10.12 Sierra if you have an SSD. 4 GB is OK but 8 GB is preferred. (2 GB is horrible.)

I run 10.13 High Sierra on all my machines including ones older than the ones you listed but it should be noted that High Sierra causes more compatibility issues with with some legacy software. There is also a rare video glitch with GeForce 9400M:

https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...cbook6-1-please-try-this-safari-test.2069901/

Exactly! Mavericks with 2GB RAM was unusable on mine. Upgraded to 4GB buy man, it's so slow and the beachball comes on all of the time. Strangely Yosemite was the best compromise with El Capitan and Sierra making it so slow.

My advice would be to avoid old computers and just try try try and save for a new entry level MacBook or even the new cheaper Air. Old computers are nothing but stress! My experiences shoes a MacBook is nice for 4 to 5 years MAX snd an iPhone is good for 3 before the battery weakens considerably etc. That's my experience. :) :) :)
 

EugW

macrumors G5
Jun 18, 2017
14,649
12,571
Exactly! Mavericks with 2GB RAM was unusable on mine. Upgraded to 4GB buy man, it's so slow and the beachball comes on all of the time. Strangely Yosemite was the best compromise with El Capitan and Sierra making it so slow.

My advice would be to avoid old computers and just try try try and save for a new entry level MacBook or even the new cheaper Air. Old computers are nothing but stress! My experiences shoes a MacBook is nice for 4 to 5 years MAX snd an iPhone is good for 3 before the battery weakens considerably etc. That's my experience. :) :) :)
I wouldn't go that far. My 2.26 GHz Core 2 Duo MacBook Pro with 8 GB RAM and SSD is reasonably good machine. Very decent for email and Office 2011, and reasonable for surfing, although with some really heavy multimedia websites it will bog down somewhat.
 
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