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Latest Macbook Pro that can run Snow Leopard?

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maccer99

macrumors member
Original poster
Aug 31, 2015
58
0
I'm seeing a lot of different information about this and would like to know exactly what model is the latest that can run OS X 10.6. I need it for certain versions of media applications that do not run on later OS X.

Some caveats:
The Retina 9,1 (mid 2012) dropped support for upgradable RAM and storage drives. What is the latest MBP that allows you to upgrade RAM and to a modern SSD?

In addition, can anyone tell me what 10.6 Installation DVD I need to then install it?
 
M

maccer99

macrumors member
Original poster
Aug 31, 2015
58
0
10.6.8 is fine but I prefer earlier versions for guaranteed compat.
 
DeltaMac

DeltaMac

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Jul 30, 2003
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There is no MacbookPro(retina)9,1. The Retina models start off with 10,1 - and do not have owner upgradeable RAM.
The Macbookpro 9,1 is the last non-retina 15-inch (2012), and the last one with upgradeable RAM and a standard 2.5 drive that can have that hard drive-style SSD (rather than the later blade type.)
The 13-inch (pre-retina) 2012 is still being sold as new by Apple.
Neither one can do Snow Leopard natively, although adjusting some kexts, it would likely work - but no guarantee about the software that you want to use, either :D

Really, your best choice is that Early 2011 MBPro, as mentioned by tubeexperience.
Keep in mind that the Early 2011 came with a special version of Snow Leopard, so if you get that MBPro after it has been upgraded, it's tricky to install Snow Leopard unless you have the original restore DVD that shipped with it. It won't boot to Apple's commercial Snow Leopard DVD natively, as Apple stopped at 10.6.3 for that DVD. The 2011 models mostly came with 10.6.6 or 10.6.7 on the special version DVDs. See the challenge here?

What are your "media apps"? Just curious - maybe ProTools? That one I can understand :D
 
M

maccer99

macrumors member
Original poster
Aug 31, 2015
58
0
According to EveryMac, the Late 2011 MBP line had the Snow Leopard branding on the stock images, so they must have shipped with Snow Leopard. I don't recall Lion having that supernova desktop branding. So why are you all saying Early 2011 is latest?

Look at the image of a late 2011 here:
http://www.everymac.com/systems/app...5-17-late-2011-unibody-thunderbolt-specs.html

Even though that says shipped with Lion, why is it using Snow Leopard imagery in the stock shot? Maybe it is like Mac Pro where the 2012s use same architecture as the pre-2012s and are compatible via non-retail install DVDs.
 
S

Samuelsan2001

macrumors 604
Oct 24, 2013
7,729
2,153
maccer99 said:
According to EveryMac, the Late 2011 MBP line had the Snow Leopard branding on the stock images, so they must have shipped with Snow Leopard. I don't recall Lion having that supernova desktop branding. So why are you all saying Early 2011 is latest?

Look at the image of a late 2011 here:
http://www.everymac.com/systems/app...5-17-late-2011-unibody-thunderbolt-specs.html

Even though that says shipped with Lion, why is it using Snow Leopard imagery in the stock shot? Maybe it is like Mac Pro where the 2012s use same architecture as the pre-2012s and are compatible via non-retail install DVDs.
Click to expand...

Because people use stock pictures for a generation of Mac and don't bother changing it when the OS X changes.
 
M

maccer99

macrumors member
Original poster
Aug 31, 2015
58
0
Samuelsan2001 said:
Because people use stock pictures for a generation of Mac and don't bother changing it when the OS X changes.
Click to expand...

Did Apple use those images at the time they were being sold on their site, though? If not, EveryMac should change the images.

Apparently there are people who got 10.6 on Late 2011s and apparently the shipped install DVDs work but a guy in the comments only did a work-around:
http://apple.stackexchange.com/ques...o-run-snow-leopard-on-a-late-2011-macbook-pro

Does anyone know where I can buy 10.6 Install DVD for the 17" Early 2011 MBP? It might even work for the Late 2011, but I need more confirmation on that.
 
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S

Samuelsan2001

macrumors 604
Oct 24, 2013
7,729
2,153
maccer99 said:
Did Apple use those images at the time they were being sold on their site, though? If not, EveryMac should change the images.

Apparently there are people who got 10.6 on Late 2011s and apparently the shipped install DVDs work but a guy in the comments only did a work-around:
http://apple.stackexchange.com/ques...o-run-snow-leopard-on-a-late-2011-macbook-pro

Does anyone know where I can buy 10.6 Install DVD for the 17" Early 2011 MBP? It might even work for the Late 2011, but I need more confirmation on that.
Click to expand...

Everymac is an information website, providing information for free, they are not part of Apple or in any way beholden to anyone to change anything. You use their information at your own risk.

Those macs originally shipped with snow leopard and Apple keep those stock images until the next hardware update if I remember correctly anyway.

As for install DVDs this may be some use, create an apple developer account and get snow leopard for free.

http://osxdaily.com/2015/01/26/download-mac-os-x-snow-leopard-from-apple-adc/
 
DeltaMac

DeltaMac

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Jul 30, 2003
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The early 2011 MBPro came with special builds of 10.6.6 or 10.6.7 on DVD. The download that is linked apparently would give 10.6.0 (if it actually is a good link), and not helpful for even the early 2011 models, let alone the late 2011. Those models will not boot to the 10.6.0 installer, and also won't boot to the last SL installer that Apple sold, which was 10.6.3
Apple never sold those included DVDs. They only came in the box with those Macs. Good luck finding one.
If you do need to reinstall Snow Leopard, then you would need an older Mac (2010 or older) that will boot to the commercial Snow Leopard installer (which stopped at 10.6.3) to install on your hard drive, then update that install to 10.6.8 before you can boot to the 2011 models. It's a big circle-jerk to get Snow Leopard installed on those models, if you don't have the original DVD that it came with.
 
Fishrrman

Fishrrman

macrumors Penryn
Feb 20, 2009
28,972
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OP:
Your solution is a bit convoluted, but if you "go this way", you'll be able to run any app that requires 10.6.8.

The solution:
Install a "virtual machine" app (I'm thinking VMWare Fusion), and then run "Snow Leopard SERVER" (emphasis added).
Only the server version of Snow Leopard can do this, not the "regular" version. But that doesn't matter -- just turn off the "server apps", and it's still Snow Leopard.

You can search this forum for how to do it, but I highly recommend that you visit "macintouch.com" for tips on what to do.

Snow Leopard server can still be ordered from Apple. There is a specific part number that you MUST give to the person at the other end, because few of them seem to know about it.

Do things this way, and you can still run old apps without being "restricted" by the modern OS.

Could you tell us what apps in particular you want to use?
 
DeltaMac

DeltaMac

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T

tubeexperience

macrumors 68040
Feb 17, 2016
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You don't need Snow Leopard DVD.

If you do an Internet Rocovery, it will install the version of OS X that the computer shipped with.

---

I don't have anything else to say here.
 
DeltaMac

DeltaMac

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Agree.
Internet Recovery won't be helpful if Snow Leopard is what you want.
If, in fact, your Mac shipped with Snow Leopard, and is capable of Internet Recovery, then you would be offered Lion.
 
A

Andy2k

macrumors member
Jul 18, 2015
77
17
You can make a Universal USB install drive using the restore disc from any 10.6.X disc. (I've done a lot of research on this too). I made a USB installer for version 10.6.6. I believe the newest Macs that can natively run snow leopard are early 2011 Macs. Like someone else mention everymac.com is like the Wikipedia of Mac models / info. I made a permanent 10.6.6 installer. I LOVE me some Snow Leopard. Follow this guide to make universal USB.

FYI I am running SL on a 2011 15" nMBP i7. I could not install it with the standard retail version of snow leopard (10.6.3). I was able to install Snow Leopard on it by making a USB following the link I posted below. The DVD was from an iMac so any full snow leopard restore disc should work. My 2011 MBP shipped with 10.6.6.

Mail me a 8 GB USB thumb drive and I can make one for you. ;)



http://hints.macworld.com/article.php?story=20120123175902871
 
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S

seggy

macrumors 6502
Feb 13, 2016
442
299
I'd say upgradability is kinda moot unless you're really strapped for cash and need a 16Gb/1Tb machine, etc. You stick a present day respectable SSD in a 2011 MBP and then compare it with a '15 MBP and there is just no contest for intensive stuff. Add that to the fact that nMBP's were terribly cooled and the Retinas significantly improved on that, and you have power that you can more realistically use as well.

I notice a lot of people "romanticising" the concept of upgradable, but so what if you still end up with a crappier experience overall? Apple's decided to do away with it, so get with the program or move to a better platform for you if the concept of upgradability is paramount (for mobility hardware I personally think it's entirely redundant given other priorities).

As for SL, run it in a VM as Fisherman says?
 
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Daytona 360

macrumors regular
Apr 29, 2010
121
63
The late 2011 MBP is the last one that can install Snow Leopard. I believe the stock 10.6.0 disc can boot the early 2011 MBP, but not the late 2011 one. For the late 2011 model you need to find a 10.6.7 boot disk to install. I was able to find one online and it successfully booted and installed SL, although the machine type will not show up correctly (I have the 15", System Profiler says it's a 13"). Update immediately to 10.6.8 using the combo updater and everything works fine after that.
 
Fozziebear40

Fozziebear40

macrumors 6502
Apr 14, 2008
372
200
Newton-le-Willows, England
I was in the same position, I wanted a native Snow Leopard machine. I would have gone with an early 2011 MBP but I did what Fishrrman said.

I got Snow Leopard Server and installed from scratch on Parallels 11 and it runs great. Running on iMac 2011 so I now know when it needs replacing I can just get the latest Mac without buying an old Mac from ebay. Swiping from El Capitan desktop to Snow Leopard desktop is great.
 
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