Apple Inc developed and built the MacBook Pro line of computers, releasing the first model on January 10, 2006. In 2011, Apple released the MacBook Pro laptop, the most affordable model among Apple’s high-end computers. If you have recently bought or have been gifted a 2011 MacBook Pro, you might want to know if it can be updated.
So, can a 2011 MacBook Pro be updated? The 2011 MacBook Pro can be updated to the macOS High Sierra. If you install macOS High Sierra on your 2011 MacBook Pro, it will get updates from Apple. Apple will still send security and other program updates to your 2011 MacBook Pro.
However, the 2011 MacBook Pro has been excluded from newer macOS versions such as macOS Mojave and macOS Catalina. Before you update your 2011 MacBook Pro software, you should check if it is included among the hardware that can run that particular software.
Updating your MacBook Pro is crucial because it helps protect the device, improve performance and fix certain issues. Apple usually releases a list of their products that they no longer support, and they are usually devices released several years back.
Read on to find out if the 2011 MacBook Pro can be updated, how to upgrade a 2011 MacBook Pro, the latest version of the 2011 MacBook Pro, and whether your 2011 MacBook Pro is still good or it has become obsolete.
The 2011 MacBook Pro laptop is one of the best and most affordable computers released by Apple Inc. under the MacBook Pro line. It has been more than ten years since Apple Inc. released the 2011 MacBook Pro, and Apple has released other MacBook Pro models and software. If you have a 2011 MacBook Pro, you might be wondering if you can update it.
You can update a 2011 MacBook Pro because Apple is still releasing updates for the device. You can update your 2011 MacBook Pro operating system and other software installed on the laptop. However, you need to check if the software update includes the 2011 MacBook Pro as one of the compatible devices.
For example, you cannot update your 2011 MacBook Pro operating system to the latest macOS version. The latest macOS version you can update on your 2011 MacBook Pro is the macOS High Sierra, released in 2017.
The 2011 MacBook Pro was first released in January 2011, meaning that the device has been in the market for more than ten years. In the last ten years, Apple Inc. has released numerous updates for software running in the 2011 MacBook Pro.
When Apple releases an update, you can choose the update or continue using the old version until it becomes necessary to use the new version. When you purchase or receive a 2011 MacBook Pro, you need to update the device to ensure it runs perfectly. If you do not update your 2011 MacBook Pro, it might have some issues running most of the recently released software.
When you buy or receive a 2011 MacBook Pro as a gift, first check its System Information. The System Information will show your device’s hardware, software, and network information. To access the System Information on your 2011 MacBook Pro,
- go to the Apple menu
- open System Information
Under “Hardware” you will see all the information regarding your laptop, such as name, model identifier, system firmware version, and SMC version, among others. You can use this information to decide if your 2011 MacBook Pro requires an update or not.
It is important to ensure that your 2011 MacBook Pro is updated for you to have a great user experience. If the 2011 MacBook Pro has not been updated for several years, it will be vulnerable to security breaches and other threats.
You should update your 2011 MacBook Pro immediately before you start using it. You can get software updates from the App Store. If any software installed in the 2011 MacBook Pro was purchased from a third-party site, you could check for the update in the app’s menu.
How Can I Upgrade My MacBook Pro 2011?
Apple Inc. usually releases updates for its software, including app updates and security updates. To ensure your 2011 MacBook Pro runs properly, you need to check and install all necessary updates as soon as they are released. To upgrade your 2011 MacBook Pro, here is how you do it.
To upgrade your 2011 MacBook Pro, first, you need to backup your device. You cannot upgrade your 2011 MacBook Pro to the latest macOS version; therefore, you need to select a compatible earlier macOS. After creating a backup of your Mac, use Safari to download the macOS you want to install from the App Store.
The installer will open automatically after it is fully downloaded and begin the upgrade. You should check the hardware requirements of the macOS version you want to upgrade to before starting the process.
Checking compatibility is important when upgrading your 2011 MacBook Pro. You need to know which macOS is currently installed on your device and if it can be upgraded to a new macOS version.
Your MacBook Pro cannot use older versions of macOS, hence before you download a macOS, ensure you know the timeline of all the macOS versions. If you download a macOS older than the version currently installed in your 2011 MacBook Pro, a message will pop up on the screen informing you that the version is too old to be opened.
Each macOS version has its hardware requirements that your 2011 MacBook Pro needs to match before you can upgrade. The requirements include the current version of macOS, space, owner information, and model, among other things.
The upgrade might fail if one of the crucial requirements is not met, such as storage space. Some requirements will not stop you from upgrading the macOS, but your 2011 MacBook Pro might lack some features from the new macOS version.
For example, the Metal 2 is only compatible with MacBook Pro (Mid 2012 or newer); hence it will be missing on your 2011 MacBook Pro if you upgrade to macOS High Sierra.
You can set your 2011 MacBook Pro to check for software updates automatically. Go to “Apple Menu”,
- select “System Preferences”
- click “Software Update”
- select “Automatically keep my Mac up to date” to enable your 2011 MacBook Pro to check and download any software updates available.
To ensure that your device gets the latest updates, ensure you enable “Check for updates” “Download new updates when available” and “Install system data files and security updates”. Your 2011 MacBook Pro needs to be plugged into a power source to download updates automatically.
What Is the Latest macOS for MacBook Pro 2011?
The MacBook Pro 2011 usually comes preinstalled with the macOS Snow Leopard 10.6 version. When Apple releases a new macOS version, you can download and install it on your hardware if it is compatible. If you want to update your MacBook Pro 2011, this is the latest macOS you can install.
The latest macOS version you can install on your MacBook Pro 2011 is the High Sierra version 10.13. The macOS High Sierra is compatible with MacBook Pro models released in mid-2010 and later.
There are several macOS versions between the macOS Snow Leopard and High Sierra, such as macOS Sierra and OS X El Capitan, but you need to install one of them before installing macOS High Sierra.
There are three more latest versions of macOS released by Apple, but they are not compatible with the MacBook Pro 2011. These macOS versions are Big Sur 11, Catalina 10.15, and Mojave 10.14.
Updating your MacBook Pro 2011 operating system to the latest version is important to ensure your device runs perfectly. The macOS High Sierra brings certain improvements and fixes some problems found in the macOS Snow Leopard.
The macOS High Sierra provides stability, improvises performance, and enhances your device’s security. It also ensures your MacBook Pro 2011 is reliable when using heavy apps. The macOS also addresses specific issues in certain apps, such as the Mac App Store and FaceTime.
You cannot directly upgrade your MacBook Pro 2011 from macOS Snow Leopard to macOS High Sierra. You can upgrade to macOS High Sierra directly if you have macOS Sierra, El Capitan, Yosemite, Mavericks, and Mountain Lion.
Therefore, if you buy or are gifted a MacBook Pro 2011 that still runs on macOS Snow Leopard, you need to download and install any of these macOS versions before upgrading to macOS High Sierra.
Before updating your MacBook Pro 2011 to the latest macOS version, you must ensure your device meets the minimum requirements. The macOS High Sierra has several requirements that any MacBook Pro must meet before the upgrade can be complete.
Some of the requirements include an operating system of 10.8 or later, 2 GB of memory, 14.3 GB of free storage space, a working internet connection, and fees. You should note that the macOS High Sierra will require an additional 1.5 GB of storage space after completion of the upgrade.
Is My 2011 MacBook Pro Obsolete or Is It Still Good?
The MacBook Pro 2011 is now eleven years old, and Apple Inc. has released several MacBook Pro models after 2011. Some devices can work for many years without any issues, while others will only last for a few years. If you own a 2011 MacBook Pro, you might wonder if it is still good or has become obsolete.
Your 2011 MacBook Pro is obsolete because Apple Inc. added it to its list of obsolete devices on June 30, 2017. Apple Inc. added the late 2011 MacBook Pro (13-inch, 15-inch, and 17-inch models). After seven years, when Apple stops distributing a product, they usually add it to their obsolete lists.
However, being added to the obsolete list does not mean that the device will not function; you can still use your device, but it will not be serviced or repaired by Apple. Apple will also stop developing parts for obsolete products, which might make it difficult to repair the device. Since your 2011 MacBook Pro is obsolete, you cannot take it to the Apple Store for repairs or replacement.
When Apple lists a device as obsolete, it does not mean that they stop repairing and selling parts immediately. Apple usually continues to provide services and parts for discontinued devices for up to seven years, depending on the local laws or parts availability.
You can contact Apple Support and check if your 2011 MacBook Pro can be repaired at your nearest Apple Store or if they have parts needed for repairing your 2011 MacBook Pro. If they do not have the parts necessary to repair your 2011 MacBook Pro, you will have to find other ways to repair your device.
If you took good care of your 2011 MacBook Pro or got it from someone who used it with care, it will still function perfectly. You can use it for web browsing, creating documents, and media consumption, among other things.
However, the 2011 MacBook Pro will be relatively slow compared to other MacBook models running the current macOS version. However, you might need to keep a charger near you because of poor battery performance. After using your 2011 MacBook Pro for several years, the battery will become weak and will not retain power as it used to do.
Making a device obsolete might be frustrating, especially if you have recently bought an old device. When you buy a current MacBook Pro, you get to enjoy certain services such as repairs. However, if you have recently bought a 2011 MacBook Pro when it gets damaged, you are on your own.
Making a device obsolete is a good thing because it makes Apple Inc. concentrate on new models. The Apple employees can make the newer models run better and always provide system and security updates. If the employees were still concentrating on repairing devices from fifteen years ago, newer models would not get the attention they deserve.
Finally
The 2011 MacBook Pro is one of the best models released by Apple Inc., and many people are still using it. The original operating system for the 2011 MacBook Pro is the macOS Snow Leopard, but you can update it to macOS High Sierra.
Upgrading to macOS High Sierra is very easy; you only need to download it using Safari, and once it is done, it will automatically install itself. If you have important data on your 2011 MacBook Pro, you should create a backup before upgrading the operating system.
Even though the 2011 MacBook Pro was added to the obsolete list in 2017, you can still use it if it is still functioning. However, you cannot get system updates, and if it gets damaged, you cannot send it to the Apple Store for repairs.
