Mid-2012 MacBook Pro Advice

[CopyKat]

Catalina 10.15.7
2.5 GHz Dual-Core Intel Core i5
16 GB 1600 MHz DDR3

Intel HD Graphics 4000 1536 MB

As retired advertising copywriter, I worked almost my entire career on Macs. Nowadays, I websurf, webshop, read the news, email and most importantly, keep track of the various ills, tests and appointments that come with age. No gaming. No streaming. This MacBook rarely leaves my desk. It has gotten slower over the years, and I occasionally run into a site that won't run on it. The shop that maintains it for me and I trust said they can put a newer operating system on it for $100. I know it will be a MacOS version beyond Catalina, which is the last version that Apple approved for this laptop.

• What are the pros and cons of putting an OS upgrade on my current MacBook Pro?
• If I decide to get a newer (not brand new) MacBook, what would you recommend based on my simple needs?
• Other suggestions (short of abandoning an Apple replacement) are welcome

Please assume that I know little or nothing about newer Apple products, OSs, etc. I'd like stick as close as possible to the experience I how have with my current MacBook.

Many thanks for your help, CopyKat

 

[MacsBug]

Your MacBook Pro can be updated to a newer version of macos by using OpenCore Legacy Patcher, but I wouldnt recommend this if you are going to have someone else do the upgrade. Any issues that you may have, you would have to go back to the shop.

Your MacBook Pro will run slower than it does now, and you will have issues with drivers that may pop up over time. And sif someone else installs this, you will need to have them fix any issues that you come accross.

With the new M4 MacBook Airs just coming out, you might be able to find an older M2 or M3 MacBook Air that will be a better alternative for you.

 

[Rodananne]

I agree with MacsBug on this, OpenCore Legacy Patcher is probably what the shop intends to use as it's the only reliable manner of upgrading the macOS beyond the hardware based limitations set by Apple. It is a reasonably complex process and there are bound to be some tradeoffs in performance and compatibility.
If you understand the process you can make decisions and alterations but if you have someone else do it for you then as MacsBug says you may find yourself taking it back to the shop more frequently.

Bottom line is I would advise against it. If your MacBook is no longer functioning as required it's probably time to replace it sad as that may be. These days security is a really big issue so it's unlikely your MacBook is up to date with that which is a good reason to update if nothing else. My wife recently purchased a 16" M3 MacBook Air and it's without doubt the best laptop she's ever had. I personally have a 14" M1 MBP also a fantastic laptop. I think with new models about to be released you could find a refurbished M2 or even an M1 at a reasonable price.