What would it require to update my mac?

You can run up to Catalina

Several considerations before upgrading to Catalina:

• Do you have enough RAM on your computer? While Macs can run at their "minimum" RAM specifications, they will often run much slower.
• If you have a lot of old software, some may not function with Catalina (see below). This may add unanticipated cost to this venture.

Upgrading a macOS depends upon the model Mac, specifications, and year. To get more information about your computer, choose:  (Apple menu) > 'About This Mac' in the upper left corner of any window, then "More Info..." or "System Report". There's more about this in "About System Information [Profiler] on your Mac" - https://support.apple.com/HT203001

Use the computer information, including the model year, and the links below to determine what is possible with your computer.

Click on this link to read how to get different versions of macOS --> https://support.apple.com/HT211683

- The article also has links to system requirements for each OS version which you should check against your exact computer model. Note some of the model identifier articles are outdated. For any model produced in the last 5 years or so you should use the system requirements links for each OS version instead. This web site also has a reliable presentation of model and OS version compatibility: https://eshop.macsales.com/guides/Mac_OS_X_Compatibility

- It helps to have more RAM (memory) than what is noted as "minimum" for any particular system or your computer may run slowly.

- You may find to get links for High Sierra and later using the Mac App Store application to open a functioning page you need to use Safari.

- Upgrades may take some time (up to an hour or more) to install, with restarts and blank screens.

Before upgrading, back up at least your data in case something goes wrong. See this support document: How to back up your Mac - https://support.apple.com/mac-backup

Check if your old apps will still work with with the OS you want to install - https://roaringapps.com/apps This is particularly critical if you are upgrading to Catalina or newer, as older 32 bit apps will no longer work. To check for those, try this 32 bit application scanner application --> https://www.stclairsoft.com/Go64/

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. Make sure to use Only Safari to commence the download as Others may not work

Make a Time Machine Backup Before attempting. Notation - Mojave is the Last version to support 32 bit applications / extensions and Drivers. Catalina and Big Sur Only support 64 bit and there is no workaround.

Are there any AntiVirus, Disk Cleaner, Optimizers, Un-installers, etc installed which should be removed as per Developers Instructions. They are useless, unneeded, cause havoc and interfere with the normal operation of the OS and may even Corrupt the OS requiring a Reinstallation