What happens when a Mac can no longer be upgraded?

[Numo]

I have an 85 year old friend with an almost as old old Mac he purchased years ago (he’s not sure when). Whatever the case, the OS can no longer be updated. I’m guessing he’s just out of luck and needs to buy a new computer in order to be on the internet safely. Am I correct?

[wurm]

I would think that if it does what he needs to do, he doesn't have to upgrade. As for internet and/or email safety, as long as he doesn't click random links in scammy emails, I think he should be okay.

[Sarcany]

Keep backups and replace the drive whenever it fails and understand that there comes a point when new apps won't run on the old OS.

[fauch]

What Mac is it? You would be surprised how useful the old ones can be with the right software...

[testcase]

If he does need a new computer, I'd recommend a Chromebook. Decent refurbished Chromebook can be had for less than $200 (and I've seen small, 11" screen models under $100. The 15.6" HD screen model I have has been a trooper. I got mine at Newegg.com, but, reasonably priced Chromebooks are widely available.

[mattkime]

browser updates are available long past OS updates. Unless you can point to a specific problem or vulnerability I think its fine to keep using it.

[C(-)ris]

testcase wrote:
If he does need a new computer, I'd recommend a Chromebook. Decent refurbished Chromebook can be had for less than $200 (and I've seen small, 11" screen models under $100. The 15.6" HD screen model I have has been a trooper. I got mine at Newegg.com, but, reasonably priced Chromebooks are widely available.

Sounds like a horrible idea unless you like giving complete control of your information over to Google and only need GSuite and Chrome.

[tenders]

C(-)ris wrote:
[quote=testcase]
If he does need a new computer, I'd recommend a Chromebook. Decent refurbished Chromebook can be had for less than $200 (and I've seen small, 11" screen models under $100. The 15.6" HD screen model I have has been a trooper. I got mine at Newegg.com, but, reasonably priced Chromebooks are widely available.

Sounds like a horrible idea unless you like giving complete control of your information over to Google and only need GSuite and Chrome.
That is a LOT of people. Email and web browsing, that’s it.

[sekker]

Haven’t told us what he needs it for. But an iPad might be an option too.

I refuse to do any financial transactions on a Mac where the OS is not getting security updates, for example.

[modelamac]

Ammo wrote:
I have an 85 year old friend with an almost as old old Mac he purchased years ago (he’s not sure when). Whatever the case, the OS can no longer be updated. I’m guessing he’s just out of luck and needs to buy a new computer in order to be on the internet safely. Am I correct?

Some considerations (it matters not whether Mac or Windows):

1. If he does online banking or other financial transactions (including buying goods online), he needs to be using the latest browser AND the security of the latest OSes. That means a new computer or one that is at most a couple of years old. It could be his last computer, given his age. I'm 80, and approaching that situation.

2. If he is just emailing and browsing/reading the news, streaming, etc., he can get away with upgrading his browser to the latest available for that OS, as long as the browser works with the website he visits.

3. When his browser stops loading pages properly and cannot per upgraded, he needs a new(er) computer.