From macOS Catilina to an updated OS (MacBook5,1)

[only4midi]

Ciao,
I have updated years ago my macbook Late 2008 Aluminum, MacBook5,1, to Catilina via Dosdude script.

Now I would like to update this to a slightly newer operating system.
I saw that there are after Catilina as many as 7 new versions of the operating system

To avoid reading 7 years of posts, can someone please write down what is the latest version I can upgrade to?

Of course, I don't claim to install Sequoia or Sonoma, but a lower one if possible

 

[LinMac]

Oh, that's getting back there a bit. It's listed as supported. That's a good start. Running MacOS Sequoia or Sonoma? Probably not without jumping through some hoops. You might have good luck with macOS Monterey though.

Take a look at the chart at the link. You'll see two main issues noted. The graphics issues and the USB issues. Read the details like using a USB hub if you want MacOS 13+.

 

[Bigwaff]

I have updated years ago my macbook Late 2008 Aluminum, MacBook5,1, to Catilina via Dosdude script.

Specs of your Late 2008 MB, please. Don't go near OCLP or later macOS w/out an internal SSD.

 

[LinMac]

Upgrading the memory and installing an SSD should definitely be part of any overall upgrade.

I think

is the correct procedure. It isn't too involved if you follow the instructions. If it doesn't look like something you can do, a local computer shop definitely can.

 

[only4midi]

Memory upgrade and ssd are installed from 5 years

 

[only4midi]

Specs of your Late 2008 MB, please. Don't go near OCLP or later macOS w/out an internal SSD.

MacBook (13-inch, Aluminum, Late 2008)
CPU: 2 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
Memory: 4 GB 1067 MHz DDR3
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce 9400M 256 MB
HD: SanDisk SDSSDA240G

 

[LinMac]

The information here shows you might be short about 4GB of potential ram. That would go a long way to making the system more usable with newer MacOS.

 

[only4midi]

ok I will increase the memory

 

[only4midi]

Just upgrade from Catilina to Monterey thanks to OpenCore
I was doubtful if the mac would hold up with only 4GB of ram and I was afraid I would have problems with the USB drivers, but it all works and I must say it is even faster than Catilina. Probably I will buy more ram.
Next step Sequoia

 

[only4midi]

Ok ram upgraded to 8 GB
Better to stay on Monterey or is safe to upgrade to Sequoia?

 

[LinMac]

You're probably better off staying with Monterey for now. You might be able to update to Sonoma after some additional development work is done to fix bugs. There is nothing in the newer version your hardware can run anyway