You can make a difference in the Apple Support Community!

When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

How to upgrade or trade in my MacBook Air?

hi, I have a Mac book air laptop from like 2013. Would I be able to use that for college or do I need a new one? If so, can it just be upgraded or traded in?




[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Posted on Jun 3, 2021 11:14 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jun 3, 2021 2:01 PM

macOS Big Sur - Technical Specifications

Please read Section “General Requirements” and Mac” Hardware Requirements”

https://support.apple.com/kb/sp833?locale=en_US



macOS Catalina - Technical Specifications

https://support.apple.com/kb/SP803?locale=en_US


Check Applications Compatibility.

   https://roaringapps.com

   Click  

  “VIEW THE COMPATIBILITY ” button at the bottom of the page. 


How to get old versions of macOS

If your Mac isn't compatible with the latest macOS, you might still be able to upgrade to an earlier macOS, 

such as macOS Catalina, Mojave, High Sierra, Sierra, or El Capitan.

https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT201262


important: About 30-50 GB (Big Sur) free storage space is required for trouble free installation.


Install instructions:

1.For instructions:

   https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201475

   https://support.apple.com/en-my/macos


2. Reset PRAM:  Reset NVRAM or PRAM on your Mac - Apple Support

    Settings that can be stored in NVRAM include sound volume, display resolution, startup-disk selection, time zone,

    and recent kernel panic information. The settings stored in NVRAM depend on your Mac and the devices

     that you're using with your Mac.


3 Startup in Safe mode. https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT201262

    To leave Safe Mode, click  in the menu bar and choose “Restart”

    Quote:

     Safe mode prevents your Mac from loading certain software when it starts up,

    including login items, system extensions not required by macOS, and fonts not installed by macOS.

    It also does a basic check of your startup disk, similar to using First Aid in Disk Utility

    And it deletes some system caches, including font caches and the kernel cache,

which will be created again automatically as needed.


4. Backup your Mac 

5. Install macOS upgrade



3 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jun 3, 2021 2:01 PM in response to Njcabral

macOS Big Sur - Technical Specifications

Please read Section “General Requirements” and Mac” Hardware Requirements”

https://support.apple.com/kb/sp833?locale=en_US



macOS Catalina - Technical Specifications

https://support.apple.com/kb/SP803?locale=en_US


Check Applications Compatibility.

   https://roaringapps.com

   Click  

  “VIEW THE COMPATIBILITY ” button at the bottom of the page. 


How to get old versions of macOS

If your Mac isn't compatible with the latest macOS, you might still be able to upgrade to an earlier macOS, 

such as macOS Catalina, Mojave, High Sierra, Sierra, or El Capitan.

https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT201262


important: About 30-50 GB (Big Sur) free storage space is required for trouble free installation.


Install instructions:

1.For instructions:

   https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201475

   https://support.apple.com/en-my/macos


2. Reset PRAM:  Reset NVRAM or PRAM on your Mac - Apple Support

    Settings that can be stored in NVRAM include sound volume, display resolution, startup-disk selection, time zone,

    and recent kernel panic information. The settings stored in NVRAM depend on your Mac and the devices

     that you're using with your Mac.


3 Startup in Safe mode. https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT201262

    To leave Safe Mode, click  in the menu bar and choose “Restart”

    Quote:

     Safe mode prevents your Mac from loading certain software when it starts up,

    including login items, system extensions not required by macOS, and fonts not installed by macOS.

    It also does a basic check of your startup disk, similar to using First Aid in Disk Utility

    And it deletes some system caches, including font caches and the kernel cache,

which will be created again automatically as needed.


4. Backup your Mac 

5. Install macOS upgrade



How to upgrade or trade in my MacBook Air?

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.