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Can I upgrade my MacAir or the OS? Lightroom problem EL Capitan

I have a 2013 13' MacBook Air. It uses OS X El Capitan Version 10.11.6. The laptop is great, good battery, I'm very happy with it and had no plans to buy a new one., but I just bought Adobe Lightroom and it says I need to update my OS to operate Lightroom. I tried to update the OS but El Capitan says 'no updates available'. How do I upgrade please? Can I update or change the OS? Or do I need to buy a new laptop to use Lightroom? Thank you

MacBook Air 13″, OS X 10.11

Posted on May 7, 2022 12:48 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on May 7, 2022 1:26 PM

The Age of this computer will Govern what newer version of macOS it will Qualify to install. Use About this Mac from the Apple Icon on Desktop - the required Information will be there.


With the above information in-hand - follow this How to get old versions of macOS and verify what version this computer Qualifies to install.  For Best results use Safari to commence the download as Others may not work.


Safari will open a redirect and open the Apple Store where the download can commence.


macOS Big Sur 11 hardware requirements


macOS Catalina 10.15 hardware requirements


macOS Mojave 10.14 hardware requirements


macOS High Sierra 10.13 hardware requirements


macOS Sierra 10.12 hardware requirements


Caution - jumping over all the newer versions and directly to Big Sur on Qualifying computers is Technically possible - there are those who have attempted and were successful.


Then there are those who attempted and had less than good results.


If this is a Production or Mission Critical Set-up - a more prudent and measure approach is suggested. 


The above is from observations on the Apple Support Community Forums and IMHO


Tips Big Sir Upgrade Released Nov 2020


Make Time Machine Backup  is very useful and can be used to Revert to Previous Working macOS


Notation - Mojave is the Last version to support 32 bit applications / extensions and Drivers. Catalina, Big Sur & Monterey supports only 64 bit and there is no workaround.


Suggest using Go64 to find 32 bit application before attempting the upGrade. Some or many of the Application already installed may required update or upGrades to 64 Bit Versions.


4 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

May 7, 2022 1:26 PM in response to Katinabag

The Age of this computer will Govern what newer version of macOS it will Qualify to install. Use About this Mac from the Apple Icon on Desktop - the required Information will be there.


With the above information in-hand - follow this How to get old versions of macOS and verify what version this computer Qualifies to install.  For Best results use Safari to commence the download as Others may not work.


Safari will open a redirect and open the Apple Store where the download can commence.


macOS Big Sur 11 hardware requirements


macOS Catalina 10.15 hardware requirements


macOS Mojave 10.14 hardware requirements


macOS High Sierra 10.13 hardware requirements


macOS Sierra 10.12 hardware requirements


Caution - jumping over all the newer versions and directly to Big Sur on Qualifying computers is Technically possible - there are those who have attempted and were successful.


Then there are those who attempted and had less than good results.


If this is a Production or Mission Critical Set-up - a more prudent and measure approach is suggested. 


The above is from observations on the Apple Support Community Forums and IMHO


Tips Big Sir Upgrade Released Nov 2020


Make Time Machine Backup  is very useful and can be used to Revert to Previous Working macOS


Notation - Mojave is the Last version to support 32 bit applications / extensions and Drivers. Catalina, Big Sur & Monterey supports only 64 bit and there is no workaround.


Suggest using Go64 to find 32 bit application before attempting the upGrade. Some or many of the Application already installed may required update or upGrades to 64 Bit Versions.


May 7, 2022 1:07 PM in response to Katinabag

Hi,


Your Mac can run up to and including Big Sur, 11.6.5. See how to upgrade here: How to get old versions of macOS - Apple Support


Before upgrading, backup, check apps and peripherals for compatibility with whichever OS you decide to upgrade to.


Big Sur will not run 32 bit apps, so download Go64 and scan your Mac to see which of your apps are 32 bit and will need to be upgraded/replaced: https://www.stclairsoft.com/Go64/


Some apps may be 64 bit but still not run on Big Sur; you can check them out here: https://roaringapps.com/apps

Can I upgrade my MacAir or the OS? Lightroom problem EL Capitan

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