Worth upgrading 2012 macbook pro to El Capitan?

[xenological]

Hi, I own a mid-2012 Macbook Pro, currently running OS 10.8.5 (Mountain Lion). I've stuck with this version of the OS because when later versions released, I saw a lot of negative reviews in the app store, and so I decided to hold off. However, it's now getting to the point where some newer programs refuse to run, and new Chrome updates are no longer available for this version.

So basically what I ask is, is it worth it to upgrade to 10.11? I'm primarily worried about slowing down my system. I've heard the later OS versions take up more and more RAM and processing power, leaving less available for programs. I use 3D CAD software (Rhinoceros), Photoshop, and Logic Pro X on a regular basis, so I need all the processing power and RAM I can get to ensure they run smoothly. Will 10.11 cause these programs to run more slowly, or are there other issues I should know about, or should I just go ahead and upgrade?

Here are my specs:

 

[simon lefisch]

Hi, I own a mid-2012 Macbook Pro, currently running OS 10.8.5 (Mountain Lion). I've stuck with this version of the OS because when later versions released, I saw a lot of negative reviews in the app store, and so I decided to hold off. However, it's now getting to the point where some newer programs refuse to run, and new Chrome updates are no longer available for this version.

So basically what I ask is, is it worth it to upgrade to 10.11? I'm primarily worried about slowing down my system. I've heard the later OS versions take up more and more RAM and processing power, leaving less available for programs. I use 3D CAD software (Rhinoceros), Photoshop, and Logic Pro X on a regular basis, so I need all the processing power and RAM I can get to ensure they run smoothly. Will 10.11 cause these programs to run more slowly, or are there other issues I should know about, or should I just go ahead and upgrade?

Here are my specs:

I'm running at late 2011 MBP with 16GB RAM, 1TB sad and it runs great. The best thing would be to try it out for yourself.

Download Carbon Copy Cloner (it's free for 30 days) and clone your HD to an external drive.

Update your MBP to El Capitan and test out how it runs. If it's good, cool. If not, you can clone your pre-El Capitan drive from the external back to the internal and pick up right were you left off.

NOTE that any files made after the upgrade should be backed up before reverting back to your original OS.

 

[xenological]

I'm running at late 2011 MBP with 16GB RAM, 1TB sad and it runs great. The best thing would be to try it out for yourself.

Download Carbon Copy Cloner (it's free for 30 days) and clone your HD to an external drive.

Update your MBP to El Capitan and test out how it runs. If it's good, cool. If not, you can clone your pre-El Capitan drive from the external back to the internal and pick up right were you left off.

NOTE that any files made after the upgrade should be backed up before reverting back to your original OS.

Yeah, I suppose that might be the best choice. I mean, my specs are a bit lower than yours (4GB RAM, 500GB HDD) but I'll still give it a shot.

 

[simon lefisch]

Yeah, I suppose that might be the best choice. I mean, my specs are a bit lower than yours (4GB RAM, 500GB HDD) but I'll still give it a shot.

You should be able to upgrade the ram and even the hd to an ssd.

 

[BrianBaughn]

No SSD in there? Put one in and it'll feel like a new computer...probably be faster than it ever was.

 

[squarebreathing]

Yes, you should upgrade. One of the reasons you already have: most new software/updates won't run on the four year old Mountain Lion. It was a great OS, but another reason to update is that it is not secure. There has not been a security update in a very long time and your computer could be compromised.

You should back up all of your data to an external hard drive and do a fresh install of El Capitan. Here are the steps:
http://mashable.com/2015/10/01/clean-install-os-x-el-capitan/#zazr0YYTWEqQ

My friend has the exact setup that you do and her computer runs fine on El Capitan. Much better than Mavericks or Yosemite.