Update from Lion on 2010 MBP

[Jldjs]

I received a 2010 MBP as a hand-me-down that has Osx 10.7.5. It works fine, almost, battery is good with low cycle count so I want to keep it and update the OS. But, I don't know much about Macs or how to do it.
I'm abit concerned if I mess up the updating to say El Capitan (I looked at newer OSx's at Apple) I don't know how to get back to running MBP that I have now.
Looking for some advice on how to prepare to update, which Osx to update to, and basics on how to do it.
I expected that forum contributors would have better advice and encouragement then reading about it from Google.
Appreciate some guidance

 

[Juicy Box]

I received a 2010 MBP as a hand-me-down that has Osx 10.7.5

Lion was probably the worse OSX imo.

I don't know how to get back to running MBP that I have now.

You can create a bootable copy of your boot drive using an external drive, and if you don't like the upgrade, you can go back. I haven't done it in a while, but I think you can still make a bootable copy with Disk Utility, in your utility folder, use Google for directions. I use Carbon Copy Cloner, which is free to try.

which Osx to update to

I believe your computer can run the current 10.13, High Sierra, but I would go with 10.11 El Capitan, as it is still current for security, but is really stable and runs well.

 

[Jldjs]

Lion was probably the worse OSX imo.



You can create a bootable copy of your boot drive using an external drive, and if you don't like the upgrade, you can go back. I haven't done it in a while, but I think you can still make a bootable copy with Disk Utility, in your utility folder, use Google for directions. I use Carbon Copy Cloner, which is free to try.



I believe your computer can run the current 10.13, High Sierra, but I would go with 10.11 El Capitan, as it is still current for security, but is really stable and runs well.

Thank you for such a prompt reply. I'll take your advice and DL El Capitan. I need to get a thumb drive to make that bootable copy. I do have a copy of CCC.

 

[Jldjs]

Thank you for such a prompt reply. I'll take your advice and DL El Capitan. I need to get a thumb drive to make that bootable copy. I do have a copy of CCC.

My HDD is partitioned for Lion and Bootcamp with Win 7. What happens to the Bootcamp partition when I install El

Capitan? Btw, am I installing El Capitan or upgrading to El Capitan?
I made the CCC copy, or image of my Lion partition, and I am using Windows backup on the Bootcamp partition, just in case. If I used CCC to make a backup image of Bootamp to an external USB HD would be able to restore that to the MBP after installing El Capitan and have a bootable Bootcamp partition?
Lot of questions but I'm trying to anticipate since I've never done this before.

 

[Glockworkorange]

Lion was probably the worse OSX imo.



You can create a bootable copy of your boot drive using an external drive, and if you don't like the upgrade, you can go back. I haven't done it in a while, but I think you can still make a bootable copy with Disk Utility, in your utility folder, use Google for directions. I use Carbon Copy Cloner, which is free to try.



I believe your computer can run the current 10.13, High Sierra, but I would go with 10.11 El Capitan, as it is still current for security, but is really stable and runs well.

I agree—Lion blew.

 

[Fishrrman]

If you're new to the Mac, there is a bit of a learning curve.
Don't get discouraged, you'll find help here.

For El Capitan, you ought to be able to download it from this URL:
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT206886

BEFORE you attempt the install, I suggest this:
- get a USB flashdrive (if 8gb doesn't work, try 16gb)
- download "DiskMaker X"
http://diskmakerx.com/downloads/DiskMakerX304.zip
(I think the above version works for Lion)
- Use DiskMaker X to create the bootable flashdrive
- Boot from the flashdrive and install that way

To boot from a flashdrive or external drive, do this:
- Power down, all the way off
- Press power on button
- IMMEDIATELY hold down the option key and KEEP HOLDING IT DOWN until the startup manager appears.
- Select the flashdrive with the pointer and hit return
- The computer should boot from the flashdrive.
- Try to install that way.

If you can get El Cap installed, you might also think about installing an SSD into the MacBook.
VERY VERY easy to do, ANYONE can do it.
You can see an illustrated guide at ifixit.com.
USE THE RIGHT TOOLS: Philips #00 driver and TORX T-6 driver.
ANY SSD will do -- I'd suggest a Crucial.

 

[Jldjs]

If you're new to the Mac, there is a bit of a learning curve.
Don't get discouraged, you'll find help here.

For El Capitan, you ought to be able to download it from this URL:
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT206886

BEFORE you attempt the install, I suggest this:
- get a USB flashdrive (if 8gb doesn't work, try 16gb)
- download "DiskMaker X"
http://diskmakerx.com/downloads/DiskMakerX304.zip
(I think the above version works for Lion)
- Use DiskMaker X to create the bootable flashdrive
- Boot from the flashdrive and install that way

To boot from a flashdrive or external drive, do this:
- Power down, all the way off
- Press power on button
- IMMEDIATELY hold down the option key and KEEP HOLDING IT DOWN until the startup manager appears.
- Select the flashdrive with the pointer and hit return
- The computer should boot from the flashdrive.
- Try to install that way.

If you can get El Cap installed, you might also think about installing an SSD into the MacBook.
VERY VERY easy to do, ANYONE can do it.
You can see an illustrated guide at ifixit.com.
USE THE RIGHT TOOLS: Philips #00 driver and TORX T-6 driver.
ANY SSD will do -- I'd suggest a Crucial.

Thanks, i’ve prepared the flash drive with the El Capitan installer. Does the installer provide an option to only update the OS X rather than erase what’s there, Lion? Will installing El Capitan change, update, or replace the Bootcamp partition? I just made Time Machine backup of my current HD, so after El Capitan installs should I restore from Time Machine to get all my “software stuff” back?

 

[JMac82]

As a new owner of a mid-2010 13" MBP, I installed 8GB of RAM and an SSD, night and day difference in performance, and it was good to start with. I updated from Snow Leopard to El Capitan. Fantastic machine.

 

[Samuelsan2001]

Thanks, i’ve prepared the flash drive with the El Capitan installer. Does the installer provide an option to only update the OS X rather than erase what’s there, Lion? Will installing El Capitan change, update, or replace the Bootcamp partition? I just made Time Machine backup of my current HD, so after El Capitan installs should I restore from Time Machine to get all my “software stuff” back?

Yo can restore it all or use migration assistant and just restore the bits you wish.

 

[Euroamerican]

My MBP 2010 2.4 ghz runs El Capitan just fine. However, I did replace the hard drive with an SDD from Crucial while I was still on Mountain Lion. I also upgraded the RAM to 16 gb from 8 gb just prior to that OS upgrade. I can tell you that I definitely felt an increase in performance in day-to-day interaction in Mountain Lion once I upgraded the SSD. I did not give that experience a fair enough test before jumping up to El Cap, but I suspect that I would have been disappointed if I had not upgraded to an SSD first.

 

[MSastre]

I've got a Crucial SSD running El Capitan in my 2009 17" MBP and can recommend both. Follow Fisherrman's advice about cloning your existing drive and then making a usb OS installer. I couldn't tell you about bootcamp because I don't let anything windows near my Macs. You migt also want to max out the RAM while you are upgrading. I've always used Crucial Ram on all my Macs for about 20 years.