When Apple released the developer build of Mac OS X 10.8, owners of older machines weren’t able to run it. Now, it looks like the final version of Mountain Lion will have the same compatibility limits. The official upgrade page gives us a list of computers that will work with 10.8, and it looks about the same as the one we saw back in February. To wit:
Apple’s upgrade page confirms older Macs can’t run Mountain Lion
Apple’s upgrade page for Mountain Lion confirms that older Macs (anything made before 2007 or 2009 depending on line) cannot run the latest version of Mac OS X.
Apple’s upgrade page for Mountain Lion confirms that older Macs (anything made before 2007 or 2009 depending on line) cannot run the latest version of Mac OS X.
is a senior tech and policy editor focused on online platforms and free expression. Adi has covered virtual and augmented reality, the history of computing, and more for The Verge since 2011.
- iMac (mid-2007 or newer)
- MacBook (late 2008 aluminum, or early 2009 or newer)
- MacBook Pro (mid/late 2007 or newer)
- MacBook Air (late 2008 or newer)
- Mac mini (early 2009 or newer)
- Mac Pro (early 2008 or newer)
- Xserve (early 2009)
The only difference between this and the previous unofficial list is in the MacBook Pro line, which is listed as supporting Mountain Lion across the board on anything from 2007 or later instead of being divided by size. We’re still not sure why older machines aren’t compatible, although it’s rumored to be an issue with running older graphics drivers in tandem with Mountain Lion’s new visual architecture.
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