How to upgrade from Yosemite to El Captain now that Sierra is out?

[Cybrax-etc]

SPECIFICATIONS: iMac from mid 2011 with 8 GB Memory & 3 TB Hard Drive

PROBLEM: I want to update some of my applications , but I have to have at least El captain in order to do so. Since Sierra is out, I can update but it takes to much memory and I want El captain instead which takes less.

I tried to go to apple's download page and download el captain but in order to download I have to have at least 10.11.0, but apple only has from 10.11.2 and later on. There are other sites who have 10.12.0 but I don't trust its legitimacy.

Any help or advice? Or Safe Links

 

[ApolloBoy]

Sierra runs just fine with 8 GB of RAM, no reason to go with El Cap if your machine is capable of running Sierra.

 

[Cybrax-etc]

Sierra runs just fine with 8 GB of RAM, no reason to go with El Cap if your machine is capable of running Sierra.

But I have Final Cut Pro X and it requires 4GB Memory its recommends 8GB Memory for 4k and 3D titles. Won't the machine go slow with all that running?

 

[DeltaMac]

Here's a link to the App Store download page for El Capitan, which you can use.
That will download the full El Capitan installer app, and not just the version updater that you found on Apple's support download page.

Or, Sierra will work OK, but is not really optimized for a spinning hard drive.

Another thing that you can consider is upgrading the RAM.
There's no reason (other than the cost of new RAM) to stay with 8GB, if you would like more RAM.
The mid-2011 iMac (either 21.5-inch, or 27-inch) can be upgraded easily to 32GB maximum, if you should want to do that. Either one has 4 RAM slots, and each slot can take an 8GB RAM card.

 

[ApolloBoy]

The mid-2011 iMac (either 21.5-inch, or 27-inch) can be upgraded easily to 32GB maximum, if you should want to do that. Either one has 4 RAM slots, and each slot can take an 8GB RAM card.

I was gonna say, if you're that concerned about RAM you can easily bump it up, it's literally just undoing a single screw at the bottom.

 

[Cybrax-etc]

Here's a link to the App Store download page for El Capitan, which you can use.
That will download the full El Capitan installer app, and not just the version updater that you found on Apple's support download page.

Or, Sierra will work OK, but is not really optimized for a spinning hard drive.

Another thing that you can consider is upgrading the RAM.
There's no reason (other than the cost of new RAM) to stay with 8GB, if you would like more RAM.
The mid-2011 iMac (either 21.5-inch, or 27-inch) can be upgraded easily to 32GB maximum, if you should want to do that. Either one has 4 RAM slots, and each slot can take an 8GB RAM card.

Thanks will try this method in a little while. Yeah I will try to upgrade ram but also considering to by a new macbook pro with touch bar when the next one comes.
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Thanks will try this method in a little while. Yeah I will try to upgrade ram but also considering to by a new macbook pro with touch bar when the next one comes.

Thanks For Speedy Reply. MacRumors is the best solution for any apple problems been using the site since one day and been getting quick responses!

 

[maclad]

Here's a link to the App Store download page for El Capitan, which you can use.
That will download the full El Capitan installer app, and not just the version updater that you found on Apple's support download page.

Or, Sierra will work OK, but is not really optimized for a spinning hard drive.

Can I use that link to update my macbook Pro, 2 off 4 GB memory, that I believe is Mountain Lion, to El Captan?

 

[DeltaMac]

It's an El Capitan full installer app.
Apple made that available for those that want to upgrade, either because their system is still running Snow Leopard (which won't upgrade directly to Sierra or newer), or to upgrade to El Capitan on those older Macs that are limited to El Capitan.
I believe it will also upgrade a Mac running Mountain Lion very nicely, to El Capitan.
On your 2012 Mac, you would also then have the choice to upgrade past El Capitan --- or stop there, whatever you prefer.

Keep a copy of the installer app, as the app will delete itself when the install is complete.
Or, even better, use one of the methods to make a bootable installer from that app. Just search for "create bootable USB from El Capitan installer". I like to use the good DiskMakerX app.

 

[Mac03ForLife]

So I've noticed something interesting with my own experiences. I own a 2011 MBP 13, with a 2.4GHz i5 and 4GB of DDR3 Memory, along with a 500GB SATA HDD. Ultimately, due to my 2003 Powermac G5, my laptop sat in a closet for close to 3 years (Why use something you don't need). When I finally figured that I needed a laptop (school stuff), I took it to the apple store, to be freshly imaged with El Cap. This ran painstakingly slow, and when it did load things, they would crash. Eventually, I got the thing into working condition, ran things fine, why mess with success. Then Sierra happened. I updated to Sierra, and now THE THING RUNS LIKE I BOUGHT IT YESTERDAY. it makes no sense. Even the 4GB of RAM has no effect on the speed of the laptop. So, yes, Go with Sierra.

In addition, you could grab a lion disk, install that, and go through consecutive upgrades until you reach your desired new OSX (or MacOS).

Also also, a PowerMac G5 is still very capable

 

[Fishrrman]

8gb of RAM is not going to be a problem.

The internal platter-based HDD -IS- going to be a problem.

All the new versions of the OS seem to have been designed to run best on SSD's or fusion drives.

This isn't to imply that El Cap or LoSierra won't run on a platter based HDD.
BUT...
... from the user standpoint (YOUR standpoint), the overall experience will seem more like the OS is "walking" instead of "running".

Just be so advised before you take the leap.

I prefer El Cap, myself.

 

[Cybrax-etc]

Here's a link to the App Store download page for El Capitan, which you can use.
That will download the full El Capitan installer app, and not just the version updater that you found on Apple's support download page.

Or, Sierra will work OK, but is not really optimized for a spinning hard drive.

Another thing that you can consider is upgrading the RAM.
There's no reason (other than the cost of new RAM) to stay with 8GB, if you would like more RAM.
The mid-2011 iMac (either 21.5-inch, or 27-inch) can be upgraded easily to 32GB maximum, if you should want to do that. Either one has 4 RAM slots, and each slot can take an 8GB RAM card.

About do a internet recovery and wondering if I could use this installer to upgrade from mac os 10.7 (lion) to el captain

 

[DeltaMac]

Yes, that should work just fine...

 

[Cybrax-etc]

Ok thanks but is it 100% sure because my Mac's been through a lot and want to be safe

 

[DeltaMac]

I believe that "100% sure" does not exist
One way to be as close to 100% as possible: be sure you have a full backup before you start.
An OS X install is (usually) pretty stable, but sometimes glitches happen... (it should help you be more confident when you have a way to go back, if you need it...)

 

[Cybrax-etc]

I believe that "100% sure" does not exist
One way to be as close to 100% as possible: be sure you have a full backup before you start.
An OS X install is (usually) pretty stable, but sometimes glitches happen... (it should help you be more confident when you have a way to go back, if you need it...)

Yeah I will make a time machine backup and then install. I heard that for the smoothest and best transitions make time machine back ups, why is that so? Its recommended like everywhere.

 

[DeltaMac]

"Why?"
It's the built-in software installed the macOS system, which runs automatically. You don't have to think about using it.

I don't use time machine at all, I have never used it since it first appeared in OS X. I have no technical reason for that, but I just have not liked how Apple portrays it. Works great for most (but not "everywhere" -- I think that's a bit far-fetched )
I prefer Carbon Copy Cloner. Other users here have other solutions.
But, your solution for your own backups would be the one that successfully works for you.

 

[Cybrax-etc]

Here's a link to the App Store download page for El Capitan, which you can use.
That will download the full El Capitan installer app, and not just the version updater that you found on Apple's support download page.

Or, Sierra will work OK, but is not really optimized for a spinning hard drive.

Another thing that you can consider is upgrading the RAM.
There's no reason (other than the cost of new RAM) to stay with 8GB, if you would like more RAM.
The mid-2011 iMac (either 21.5-inch, or 27-inch) can be upgraded easily to 32GB maximum, if you should want to do that. Either one has 4 RAM slots, and each slot can take an 8GB RAM card.

Help: https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...e-and-my-mac-wont-work.2071684/#post-25153433

 

[kohlson]

TM, especially a Time Capsule, is recommended because it works well in making backups. I use it when I move users between systems.

 

[Tech198]

Sierra runs just fine with 8 GB of RAM, no reason to go with El Cap if your machine is capable of running Sierra.

Yep, I'm running on 8 Gig now.

I don't use time machine at all,

The only thing about TM, if a system is slow and you back that up, and restore from backing, your only restoring the problem, not fixing the problem. Although re-installs would create a "previous" saved profile, how do you you know everything is there ?. Particularly its its in root directory /use folders app could install to, which often have no idea where bits as and pieces always go