I have an old MacBook running OS X 10.5.8, and I'm trying to get it functional for my father for music recording. The main issue I'm facing is that the web browsers are outdated, so I can't update them anymore. I need advice on upgrading the operating system and what options are available.
5 Answers
First, you need to figure out the exact model of your MacBook. If it’s a standard MacBook, MacBook Air, or MacBook Pro, that will determine your options. Most likely, it can only run up to OS X El Capitan 10.11 or maybe macOS High Sierra 10.13. These versions were released in 2015 and 2017, respectively, so check the hardware compatibility first!
What software do you plan to use? If it’s just GarageBand, you might need to download additional drivers for the Scarlett 2i2 that your father is using.
Consider downloading Fedora Workstation. It runs smoothly, especially if you upgrade from an HDD to an SSD since they are quite affordable these days. This could breathe new life into your old MacBook!
That OS version is from October 2009. Given it’s a 2006 model, your upgrade options are likely small. You could explore using OCLP (OpenCore Legacy Patcher) to get a newer OS, but I’m not sure if it’ll handle modern audio software well even with patches.
Since it's from 2006, I guess my choices will be limited.

I just found out it’s a 2006 MacBook, so my options might be pretty limited!