Uses for an old retired Macbook?

[MR_Boogy]

I just dug out my first ever Mac, Late 2008 Aluminium unibody with 4Gb RAM. It's running 10.11.6 El Capitan and if memory serves that is the last version it supported.

It runs up ok but I would imagine lots of Apple services like iCloud, airdrop, etc, won't work on such an old machine?

It always seems terrible to bin a working PC especially when it's such a nice design - the metal unibody, the original MagSafe charger - but realistically what can I do with it? Is it even safe to connect to the web logged in with my Apple and Google accounts, without exposing an attack surface with old unpatched software?

 

[eyoungren]

I have a 2008 MBP running Sonoma, and I am typing this message in on a 2009 Mac Pro (my primary Mac) running Sonoma. Both Macs can do this because I used OCLP (Open Core Legacy Patcher).

If you don't want to do that, you could use the Mac as a 'server', or a jukebox (play your music library on it). Put it on your network and attach a large external drive and share it.

But with OCLP and modern versions of iOS you can get all the iCloud (or most of it) stuff back. Just be aware you'll want a USB 2.0 hub with a keyboard and mouse when installing OCLP. It's only necessary for the installation, after root patching at the end you can disconnect those.

 

[PBG4 Dude]

nvm wrong thread.

 

[AlixSPQR]

I just dug out my first ever Mac, Late 2008 Aluminium unibody with 4Gb RAM. It's running 10.11.6 El Capitan and if memory serves that is the last version it supported.

It runs up ok but I would imagine lots of Apple services like iCloud, airdrop, etc, won't work on such an old machine?

It always seems terrible to bin a working PC especially when it's such a nice design - the metal unibody, the original MagSafe charger - but realistically what can I do with it? Is it even safe to connect to the web logged in with my Apple and Google accounts, without exposing an attack surface with old unpatched software?

You can install a modern OS, like Linux Mint XFCE Edition, which is suitable for older laptops. There are other lightweight Linux options, like Lubuntu and Zorin OS Lite. OCLP needs to disable macOS's SIP (System Integrity Protection) and I can't recommend that. Linux used to be a bit of a faff to install, but isn't any longer, really.

 

[MBAir2010]

Is it even safe to connect to the web logged in with my Apple and Google accounts, without exposing an attack surface with old unpatched software?

I surf the web with my 2010 MacBook Air snow leopard using garage designed web browsers
without any attacks or hacks.
my web choices are limited as this site, OWC and other websites work on that MBA, while I can still search for images and download some files.
iCloud did not exist back then , mobile me and I still won't use google programs
as most here use older MacBooks like yours.

seems to me the longevity of one MacBook is up to the owner, not !

 

[MacMorrison]

Specs of the 2.0GHz version of the 2008 Aluminum Unibody MacBook: https://everymac.com/systems/apple/...-2.4-aluminum-13-late-2008-unibody-specs.html

You can use a browser like Firefox Dynasty on macOS 10.11. SeaMonkey just updated their browser to 2.53.23 a few weeks ago.

4GB RAM is pretty low for apps other than text or code-based work - you can upgrade the RAM up to 8GB (2 x 4GB) using 1066MHz PC3-8500 DDR3 SODIMM modules.

Other World Computing sells SATA SSDs for the 2008 Unibody MacBooks as well as replacement batteries. Obviously, this isn't the kind of computer most people spend money on in 2026, but the options are there.

OpenCore Legacy Patcher works on the 2008 MacBook - I installed macOS 10.15 Catalina on my 2008 using dosdude1's patcher. It may be capable of running newer versions of macOS too, but you're really pushing it with such old hardware.

Some versions of Linux will run well on a 2008 MacBook. I ran Ubuntu 22.04 for a while and then reverted to macOS 10.11 El Capitan. You can also run old Windows operating systems like Windows 7 on the MacBook using Apple's Boot Camp (for vintage gaming, etc.).

 

[ignatius345]

Assuming you already have a more modern computer around, I feel like if one has to really dig deep to find a reason to repurpose an old computer then it's just not worth the clutter.

You don't have to toss it if you can't use it. Donate it somewhere it can be used by people who don't have a computer (homeless shelter, church charity, etc). You might even get to take a tax deduction.

 

[capamac]

Yeah, one of the Gnu/Linux distros mebbe. I like Debian. Or learn about NetBSD or FreeBSD.