Not able to install / open applications

[hapycamper]

Hi there guys, I have just got back to using my laptop after some time. It is a Macbook Pro (15-inch, 2.53GHz, Mid 2009) / Processor

2.53 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo / Memory 8 GB 1067 MHz DDR3.


I am struggling to open simple applications such as Whatsapp, it won't let me install a VPN or anti virus software and states "You have OS X 10.11.6. The application requires OS X 10.12 or later." "You can’t use this version of the application “ProtonVPN” with this version of OS X."


Does anyone know what I should try do? When I go to install most recent software it refuses

 

[TinyMito]

As what the error said, your OS is too old to support the latest software.

 

[hapycamper]

so I literally have to buy a whole new laptop if I want to access these packages?

 

[Chancha]

Your MBP is only officially supported until 10.11.
However, users have been successful in cracking that limit, of course with caveats:

macOS 10.15 Catalina on Unsupported Macs

How to update Catalina Machine Support Video Card Support Pre-Metal AMD video cards (Radeon HD 6xxx series and older without acceleration, Radeon HD 4xxx series and older with acceleration.) Pre-Metal Nvidia video cards (GeForce 5xx series and older without acceleration, GeForce 3xx...

forums.macrumors.com

macOS 10.14 Mojave on Unsupported Macs Thread

macOS 10.14 Mojave on Unsupported Macs Machine Support Video Card Support Pre-Metal AMD video cards (Radeon HD 6xxx series and older without acceleration, Radeon HD 4xxx series and older with acceleration.) Pre-Metal Nvidia video cards (GeForce 5xx series and older, i.e...

forums.macrumors.com

Depending on your needs, maybe 10.14 Mojave is a safe bet since it still supports 32bit apps. Either way it will take some reading and trying if you are not already familiar with macOS installations.

 

[hapycamper]

What does MBP mean and so you reckon if I install 10.14 Mojave - they might work?

 

[MajorFubar]

MBP = MacBook Pro
No offence, but just to trying to manage your expectations, your Mac is ancient. When your Mac was new in 2009, you would be the equivalent of someone posting that their 1996 Power Macintosh 9500 won't open new apps.

There is a subforum on here devoted to users of early Intel Macs, including yours. Lots of knowledge there on how to break through boundaries to keep your old machine serviceable for as long as possible, but there are limits.

 

[Chancha]

What does MBP mean and so you reckon if I install 10.14 Mojave - they might work?

While it will likely work with Mojave, I honestly think a 2009 with Core2Duo is due its time. The CPU & GPU are so old that they lack a few fundamental hardware components that a semi-modern macOS expects to see. You will run into problems even just using the Mac for normal small tasks.

With the amount of tinkering that is needed to overcome any of that, you may be better off spending that effort into sourcing a newer machine. Even just slightly newer, like a 2012 MacBook Pro with an i5 will come a long way. And they are like 200 or 300 dollars, if that.

 

[Alpha Centauri]

I've got the same machine, albeit with 3.06GHz CPU.

As you know you're on the last officially supported OS already. Considering that 13 years is actually an incredible time to get out of machine, it's definitely time to move on. Anything past the C2D (massive bottleneck) was already a great leap and at bare minimum a 2012 MBP is advised. Ideally though the cheapest M1 base model going forward.

Having said that, I do run a patched Catalina OS on mine. BUT then also be prepared for instability, get comfortable with Terminal and have expectations that certain Apps will misbehave. You will be spending some time with maintenance. All fine if it's a secondary machine but not if it's a primary device you rely on.

 

[JustAnExpat]

IF you want to eek use out of this machine just for a little bit longer, I recommend trying to install OS X 10.12 on it. There doesn't seem to be many issues about using that operating system for your machine:

macOS 10.12 Sierra Unsupported Macs Thread

macOS Sierra on unsupported Macs Introduction For the first time since OS X Mountain Lion (10.8) in 2012, macOS Sierra (10.12) has changed the official minimum requirements needed for installation, leaving many older (but still perfectly capable) Macs behind. This is a thread for people to...

forums.macrumors.com

Mac OS X 10.13 may be possible, without many issues either.

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/macos-high-sierra-10-13-unsupported-macs-thread.2048478/

Remember though, the newer the operating system, the slower it would run, and the more likely things will not work or require manual configuration.

 

[Fishrrman]

OP:

I suggest you visit dosdude1's page here:

dosdude1's Personal Web Server - Software

I'd recommend the "macOS Mojave Patcher" tool.
This utility has a way to download a copy of Mojave built right into it (see the "tools" menu).

A warning of sorts:
Be aware that you will be installing "a hack" that enables you to install newer Apple software onto an older computer that Apple no longer supports.
Having said that, dosdude1 has done his work very well and there may be no "glitches" at your end at all.

Final thought:
The MBP you have is now 13 years old.
Might be time to start looking around for a replacement.