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Can I install El Capitan on Macbook A1181?

budgetcomputer

budgetcomputer

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Nov 19, 2018
4
1
Can I install El Capitan on Macbook A1181? It has an Intel Core 2 Duo 2.13 GHz processor with 2 GB RAM and 160GB HD. Is that the optimal OS for this machine?

Thanks for any info,
Steve
 
budgetcomputer said:
Can I install El Capitan on Macbook A1181? It has an Intel Core 2 Duo 2.13 GHz processor with 2 GB RAM and 160GB HD. Is that the optimal OS for this machine?
Click to expand...
Is that MacBook5,2? If yes then yes it will run El Capitan.

However, with a 160 GB HD and 2 GB RAM, it will be almost unusable. Way too slow. Minimum is 4 GB RAM with SSD. Luckily, those upgrades are not too expensive.

El Capitan will be the best OS... once you have 4-6 GB RAM (6 preferred) and an SSD installed. A cheap but adequate SSD might be something like the Kingston A400.

Edit:

OWC sells 4 GB for US$30 and 6 GB for $75. So while 6 GB is preferred, if you’re on a budget and your usage is light, then 4 GB might be OK. I have 8 GB on my 2.0 GHz aluminum MacBook5,1 though since it is better than 4 GB for multitasking. (The white plastic MacBook5,2 does not support 8 GB.)
 
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np63om said:
Hello, this model can run El capitan?

MacBook "Core 2 Duo" 2.4 13" (White-08) Specs (Early 2008, MB403LL/A, MacBook4,1, A1181, 2242): EveryMac.com

Technical specifications for the MacBook "Core 2 Duo" 2.4 13" (White-08). Dates sold, processor type, memory info, hard drive details, price and more.
everymac.com everymac.com

Best wishes
Click to expand...
No, the highest that Mac will run is OS X Lion 10.7.5

This Apple support article lists the minimum requirements/oldest Macs El Capitan will run on, and includes the necessary link for downloading it: https://support.apple.com/HT206886
 
Yes it's possible to run later versions of macOS on the 2.4 GHz 2008 white MacBook, but it's not recommend due to various issues.

OTOH, I'd fully endorse running the unsupported Sierra or even High Sierra on the 2.0 GHz late 2008 aluminum MacBook, as it's nearly glitch-free.
 
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EugW said:
Yes it's possible to run later versions of macOS on the 2.4 GHz 2008 white MacBook, but it's not recommend due to various issues.

OTOH, I'd fully endorse running the unsupported Sierra or even High Sierra on the 2.0 GHz late 2008 aluminum MacBook, as it's nearly glitch-free.
Click to expand...
Thank you for your support and post. Very useful. Best wishes
 
np63om said:
this video show that is possible:


Please have look, and comment if you please... it mention can go to sierra...
Click to expand...

Many things are possible, but they often come with challenges and gotchas. Sometimes just during the install, sometimes in maintaining that installation afterwards. If having El Capitan is really important to you, or you like a challenge and are willing to put in the extra time... There's a community of people dedicated to running newer OSes on "unsupported" machines. You'll probably want to seek them out.

That is something for someone who enjoys tinkering with computers, who is enthusiastic about learning new things about their hardware and software, and who is happy to troubleshoot and solve unexpected problems if/when they occur.

I pointed you towards Apple's official word, because they engineered that OS. They bundled whatever hardware drivers are necessary to run on the models "supported," and did not include drivers for those that are not supported. They know when software features/capabilities depend upon having specific hardware and whether a particular machine has that hardware. It means you can follow the standard installation process with a high probability of success, which is what most people are looking for.
 
EugW said:
Is that MacBook5,2? If yes then yes it will run El Capitan.

Many things are possible, but they often come with challenges and gotchas. Sometimes just during the install, sometimes in maintaining that installation afterwards. If having El Capitan is really important to you, or you like a challenge and are willing to put in the extra time... There's a community of people dedicated to running newer OSes on "unsupported" machines. You'll probably want to seek them out.

That is something for someone who enjoys tinkering with computers, who is enthusiastic about learning new things about their hardware and software, and who is happy to troubleshoot and solve unexpected problems if/when they occur.

I pointed you towards Apple's official word, because they engineered that OS. They bundled whatever hardware drivers are necessary to run on the models "supported," and did not include drivers for those that are not supported. They know when software features/capabilities depend upon having specific hardware and whether a particular machine has that hardware. It means you can follow the standard installation process with a high probability of success, which is what most people are looking for.
Click to expand...
Thank you for your feed back.
I must say, that’s the reason why, windows (Microsoft) gets more more money and success, only because, they won’t “block” any user or machine to be use...
they only stops the support, but, never block any operation system to run or use on old machines... and they have many many engineers, perhaps better or not, whatever...
That’s why is getting better and better, more money and market...
I must say, I’m truly disappointing with Apple...
Thank you for your all support and feedback.
Best wishes to you all.
 
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