early 2013 macbook Pro Sierra to Catalina OS Upgrade

gilet wrote:

Thank you for getting back to me.

"Should be fine". doesn't sound promising. Does this mean it may not be the best last and final OS for this computer.

It never pays to get behind in the hardware or software— only makes it more difficult in the future.

I had a mid 2012 MBP 16GB RAM 1 TB storage NO issue with Catalina— fast as lightening state of the art macOS w/ all the current security.

The "Should be fine" was not the best word choice— I would say it depends on your spec's which only now did you mention:

MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Early 2013)

2.8 GHz Intel Core i7

16 GB 1600 MHz DDR3

Intel HD Graphics 4000 1536 MB

You will have no issues with Catalina— I would advise it.

the caveat—With the release of macOS 10.15 Catalina, applications will have to be 64-bit. App developers will issue updated apps if they want their apps to work on this newest macOS upgrade

32-bit app compatibility with macOS... - Apple Support

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208436

Check Your Apps and Prepare for a 64-bit World

https://www.stclairsoft.com/Go64/index.html

Locate all 32-bit apps in System Info

http://osxdaily.com/2018/03/06/find-32-bit-apps-mac/

gilet wrote:

Hi

I Know i'm a little behind the curve here. I have been holding off upgrade as I had some old software wanted to keep using. I can now upgrade. Seems Catalina is the most up to date OS I can install.

Can anyone tell me if the computer will be significantly slower running Catalina compared to Sierra?

Also is it worth somehow reformatting (or whatever it is called these days) the SSD to prolong its life? Or may be this is done in the install process?

yes, early 2013 you are limited to Catalina.

Should be no issue. Verify you have a reliable backup, only in this way can you fall back if something goes side ways.

If you have issue— verify you are using the Safari browser to download/initiate the macOS links:

older macOS installer backups on this server:

https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT211683