Updating Mac OS X, when it won't let you

GPGuy · March 16, 2016

My iMac (desktop computer) has reached the last version that Apple will let me upgrade to. Unfortunately to install the latest version of Lightroom that my dSLR needs, I need to upgrade by one more version of the OS.

My question is: Is there anyway to bypass this and install the OS I need anyhow?

ember1205 · March 16, 2016

Have you seen this?

http://www.apple.com/osx/how-to-upgrade/#hardware-requirements

It's for El Capitan, though - Not sure what version you're actually at and where you're trying to go.

Chris · March 16, 2016

It is an easy fix. A Windows PC and Photoshop

GPGuy · March 16, 2016

Have you seen this?

http://www.apple.com/osx/how-to-upgrade/#hardware-requirements

It's for El Capitan, though - Not sure what version you're actually at and where you're trying to go.

Yup and it says on the site that I can't go past 10.7 but I can't believe that there isn't a way around it..

The desktop is early 2007 and I'm running 10.7 and want to go to 10.8. I've had to revert to my laptop for the moment, which is much newer but not ideal for editing.

It is an easy fix. A Windows PC and Photoshop

Nope. Won't compare when processing RAW camera files and nor does the monitor. Although my Mac will run Windows too.

Chris · March 16, 2016

Yup and it says on the site that I can't go past 10.7 but I can't believe that there isn't a way around it..

The desktop is early 2007 and I'm running 10.7 and want to go to 10.8. I've had to revert to my laptop for the moment, which is much newer but not ideal for editing.

Nope. Won't compare when processing RAW camera files and nor does the monitor. Although my Mac will run Windows too.

You can build one to handle it

GPGuy · March 16, 2016

You can build one to handle it

I could but I'm done with them and all of their glitches, crashes, blue screens, slow downs as the hdd fills, non responding programs, viruses etc. Just won't go back at this point. And no I'm not an Apple fanboy that drinks their koolaid... as the computers are where my Apple product stash ends. It's just a far more solid OS in my opinion and experience.

ember1205 · March 16, 2016

Yup and it says on the site that I can't go past 10.7 but I can't believe that there isn't a way around it..

The desktop is early 2007 and I'm running 10.7 and want to go to 10.8. I've had to revert to my laptop for the moment, which is much newer but not ideal for editing.

It says that your iMac would need to be mid-2007 or newer. There's a late 2006, then it goes right to mid 2007. There isn't an early 2007 that I'm aware of. Is yours plastic or aluminum?

GPGuy · March 16, 2016

It says that your iMac would need to be mid-2007 or newer. There's a late 2006, then it goes right to mid 2007. There isn't an early 2007 that I'm aware of. Is yours plastic or aluminum?

Desktop is plastic.

ember1205 · March 16, 2016

Desktop is plastic.

That's no newer than a late 2006 model, then. The issue is almost certainly that you don't have enough RAM to load the newer OS as your machine came with 512 or a gig and maxed at 3G while the 2007 and newer models came with 1G or 2G and maxed out at 6G.

GPGuy · March 16, 2016

That's no newer than a late 2006 model, then. The issue is almost certainly that you don't have enough RAM to load the newer OS as your machine came with 512 or a gig and maxed at 3G while the 2007 and newer models came with 1G or 2G and maxed out at 6G.

Actually now that I think of it... it probably was late 2006 because I purchased it in January 2007... I bought it direct from Apple and therefore built it myself.. so I maxed out the RAM and put in a 500GB hdd.

ember1205 · March 16, 2016

Doesn't the About This Mac information tell you specifically?

GPGuy · March 17, 2016

Doesn't the About This Mac information tell you specifically?

Yes it does. I just couldn't remember off head what it was. But it's late 2006. But either way it states on the Mac website that OS 10.7 is the latest version that I'm "able" to install. What I'm wondering is if there is a way around this. Seems to me that there's got to be a way around that.

ember1205 · March 17, 2016

Yes it does. I just couldn't remember off head what it was. But it's late 2006. But either way it states on the Mac website that OS 10.7 is the latest version that I'm "able" to install. What I'm wondering is if there is a way around this. Seems to me that there's got to be a way around that.

My gut says that you'll spend a LOT of time (and possibly some money) trying to work around this.

Your Mac is seven years old. Time for an upgrade? Take a look at Apple Refurbished direct from them, or find something like Simply Mac that sells Certified Mac's, or keep trolling Best Buy until you find an open box deal (one that someone returned) that's to your liking.

I've had decent luck with open box / returns / used items on Amazon, too.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B00746WV32/ref=sr_1_3_olp?ie=UTF8&qid=1458257466&sr=8-3&keywords=imac&condition=used

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B016LGD55I/ref=sr_1_1_olp?ie=UTF8&qid=1458257466&sr=8-1&keywords=imac&condition=used

GPGuy · March 18, 2016

Oh for sure it probably is time for an upgrade..

Just wasn't wanting to do it just yet but I will probably end up doing it.. For now my laptop will do and I think I'll save a few extra pennies and maybe grab a nice 27"

An open box deal definitely would be cool too. Thanks for the links too by the way. I just found out the other day that I do have access to a 15% discount off of any of them if I buy direct from Apple and that includes custom built ones.