Is Sequoia much snappier on MacBook 12" 2017?

[Lucas Curious]

I got a MacBook 12" 2017 16gb ram. Is Sequoia much snappier vs Ventura using the patch? Basic tasks are ok on Ventura but wondering if I'm missing out big time

 

[Macdctr]

I'm running Sequoia 15.4 beta on my 2017 i7 MacBook with 16GB ram and it has been running fairly well. When booting up it does take some time to load in all the apps since I have iStat Manus and Switchresx running but once they all load up everything has been responsive for my use. I have no complaints so far.

Hope this helps

 

[Lioness~]

How are those Mac’s holding up for you?

I was 1st thinking of buying an iPad Air, but then found a 12” 2017, and I’m really tempted.
Just 8GB RAM but 500GB storage.

How do you patch them up to run a newer system, as Sequoia?

 

[Macdctr]

How are those Mac’s holding up for you?

I was 1st thinking of buying an iPad Air, but then found a 12” 2017, and I’m really tempted.
Just 8GB RAM but 500GB storage.

How do you patch them up to run a newer system, as Sequoia?

You install the most current version of OpenCore Legacy Patcher (2.3.2 is current as of this post) then install it onto your SSD (Build and Install OpenCore) then reboot the computer and rerun OCLP again to install Post-Install Root Patch then reboot the computer. Then do a software update for Sequoia and install it. This is what I did to install Sequoia on my MacBook.

Every time you do a MacOS update going forward, you make sure you have the most current OCLP version installed on your laptop then do the system update and then reinstall root patches to restore wifi/bluetooth and graphics then you should be set.

It is not hard to do once you are used to the updating process but the advantages are you have an updated MacOS running with all the security patches and current version of Safari. I like using my MacBook for travel purposes so keeping it running with the current MacOS thru this process is perfectly fine with me.

I'm now on MacOS 15.5 beta 4 (24F5068b) without any issues

 

[Macdctr]

I have the current version of MacOS 15.5 installed and running the latest version of OCLP 2.4.0

I downloaded and installed Pages, Numbers and Keynote and am not experiencing any issues running those apps on this MacBook

 

[MiamiBeach]

You install the most current version of OpenCore Legacy Patcher (2.3.2 is current as of this post) then install it onto your SSD (Build and Install OpenCore) then reboot the computer and rerun OCLP again to install Post-Install Root Patch then reboot the computer. Then do a software update for Sequoia and install it. This is what I did to install Sequoia on my MacBook.

Every time you do a MacOS update going forward, you make sure you have the most current OCLP version installed on your laptop then do the system update and then reinstall root patches to restore wifi/bluetooth and graphics then you should be set.

It is not hard to do once you are used to the updating process but the advantages are you have an updated MacOS running with all the security patches and current version of Safari. I like using my MacBook for travel purposes so keeping it running with the current MacOS thru this process is perfectly fine with me.

I'm now on MacOS 15.5 beta 4 (24F5068b) without any issues

Thank you very much for the detailed instructions. I have one question before I update. Is it no longer necessary to get a usb drive and download and build the MacOS installer and install from USB drive? Can I go directly from Ventura to Sequoia by just installing the latest version of OpenCore legacy patcher, then run post install root patch, and then just clicking on system settings-> general-> software update?

 

[Macdctr]

Thank you very much for the detailed instructions. I have one question before I update. Is it no longer necessary to get a usb drive and download and build the MacOS installer and install from USB drive? Can I go directly from Ventura to Sequoia by just installing the latest version of OpenCore legacy patcher, then run post install root patch, and then just clicking on system settings-> general-> software update?

Yes, you should be able to do this.

I like having bootable thumb drives with the OS and app files on them so in the event I have to rebuild the computer, I have everything needed. I recently tried installing MacOS 26 Tahoe onto my MacBook with no luck and had to completely rebuild my MacBook (reformatting my SSD and loading a fresh install of the MacOS). Fortunately I have a bootable thumb drive with Sequoia on it with all my app files and was able to rebuild my MacBook which is what I'm typing my response on right now.

 

[MiamiBeach]

Yes, you should be able to do this.

I like having bootable thumb drives with the OS and app files on them so in the event I have to rebuild the computer, I have everything needed. I recently tried installing MacOS 26 Tahoe onto my MacBook with no luck and had to completely rebuild my MacBook (reformatting my SSD and loading a fresh install of the MacOS). Fortunately I have a bootable thumb drive with Sequoia on it with all my app files and was able to rebuild my MacBook which is what I'm typing my response on right now.

Thank you for your response. I will take your advice and make a bootable thumb drive just in case I have to rebuild the computer. It is my only Mac in the house at the moment so I would be stuck without a backup.

 

[TheIntruder]

OCLP's developers "extremely" recommend using a USB flash drive to perform major version updates.

Can I use OTA updates?​

You can. However it is extremely recommended to use USB drive for major OS upgrades (such as 13 -> 14) to avoid larger issues from potentially occurring.


General updates are usually fine, though it is always a good idea to wait few days to see whether patches break and have to be fixed.

 

[Macdctr]

Thank you for your response. I will take your advice and make a bootable thumb drive just in case I have to rebuild the computer. It is my only Mac in the house at the moment so I would be stuck without a backup.

I have several Mac laptops in which to test Apple's newest OS on. My 2017 MacBook i7 was running MacOS15.5 very well and I decided I wanted to install MacOS 26 Tahoe beta 1 onto it. I realized I was taking a huge risk in the new beta OS not working on my MacBook and I was not disappointed. The new OS, which works well on my M3 Pro MBP, did not work on my MacBook and I had to reformat my SSD and do a clean install of Sequoia from my bootable thumb drive. I had all the application files I wanted for my MacBook on my thumb drive so it was just a matter of time to reinstall the OS and app files to get my MacBook up and running again.

I'm sure the OCLP developers will come up with a version which will allow me to install MacOS 26 onto my MacBook but for now I am content running Sequoia 15.5 or 15.6 when it comes out. I have not experienced any issues running Sequoia on my MacBook to date.

EDIT: I have since updated my MacBook to Sequoia 15.7 using OpenCore Legacy Patcher 2.4.0 and root patches after and have not experienced any issues. Everything has been running as expected after doing any system level updates.