Resolved Help please: How to run Sierra on a Catalina Mac: partition, dual boot or vm?

[kazmac]

Hi everyone,

Need help in answering this question as it will determine if I buy another iMac.

I need to continue running macOS Sierra on the new machine.

What is the best and easiest way to accomplish this:

Partition, Dual Boot or VM?

Suggestions and links to apps would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[pspman71]

VM like VMware fusion fusion.html is best if you want free go with virtual box

 

[Fishrrman]

Any new iMac WILL NOT BOOT 10.12 Low Sierra.
Not possible. Can't even do it with another partition.

THE ONLY WAY possible is to run Low Sierra in "a virtual machine".
That means using VMWare Fusion, Parallels, or the free "Virtual Box".

Aside:
Sometimes "the best way" is to keep the older Mac up-and-running for older software...

 

[kazmac]

Any new iMac WILL NOT BOOT 10.12 Low Sierra.
Not possible. Can't even do it with another partition.

THE ONLY WAY possible is to run Low Sierra in "a virtual machine".
That means using VMWare Fusion, Parallels, or the free "Virtual Box".

Aside:
Sometimes "the best way" is to keep the older Mac up-and-running for older software...

Thank you,

I've been told I can run a Sierra start up disc on an external SSD.

If I can run Sierra from the external drive, how do I access the Sierra compatible software I use? Do I keep these on the systems internal drive, create a partion on the external SSD? Or something else.

I've never done this before, and VMs are not something I want to deal with.

This older iMac starting to give me issues and if I stay with Apple, running Sierra is a must. I do not have the space for two 27" iMacs.

 

[chrfr]

Thank you,

I've been told I can run a Sierra start up disc on an external SSD.

If I can run Sierra from the external drive, how do I access the Sierra compatible software I use? Do I keep these on the systems internal drive, create a partion on the external SSD? Or something else.

I've never done this before, and VMs are not something I want to deal with.

This older iMac starting to give me issues and if I stay with Apple, running Sierra is a must. I do not have the space for two 27" iMacs.

There is no way to run Sierra on a current iMac, except in a virtual machine. Whether you're using an internal or external disk doesn't change that.

 

[kazmac]

There is no way to run Sierra on a current iMac, except in a virtual machine. Whether you're using an internal or external disk doesn't change that.

Okay. Thanks for that double down on the clarification.

Appreciate it.

 

[ScreenSavers]

Parallels runs old versions of macOS alright but there’s absolutely no graphics acceleration so be aware of that...