Computer Hardware

Give Your Old Mac Modern Software With OpenCore Legacy Patcher

/ Apple, Computer Hardware, Software

That 2013 MacBook Pro sitting in your closet isn’t broken—it’s just been abandoned by Apple. While the hardware remains perfectly functional, outdated macOS versions make it increasingly difficult to browse the web securely or run current applications.

The Compatibility Problem

Apple typically supports Macs with new macOS versions for 7-8 years. After that, you’re stuck with increasingly outdated software that can’t run modern browsers properly, lacks security updates, and struggles with today’s websites—not because your hardware is slow, but because the software is obsolete.

Enter OpenCore Legacy Patcher

OpenCore Legacy Patcher (OCLP) is a free, open-source tool that extends macOS compatibility to unsupported hardware. Developed by Dortania, it uses sophisticated boot management to allow installation of current macOS versions on Macs as old as 2007.

The key benefit isn’t speed—it’s functionality. Your 2013 MacBook Pro can run macOS Sequoia with:

  • Modern browsers that actually work with current websites
  • Current security updates and encryption standards
  • Compatible applications that require newer macOS
  • Modern features like Sidecar, AirPlay to Mac, and Universal Control

How It Works

Unlike simple patchers that modify system files, OpenCore Legacy Patcher operates at the boot level. It maintains System Integrity Protection (SIP) and security features while providing compatibility patches in memory during startup. Your system files remain untouched and secure.

Supported Hardware

OpenCore Legacy Patcher supports a wide range of Intel-based Macs:

  • MacBook Pro: 2008-2017 models
  • MacBook Air: 2008-2017 models
  • iMac: 2007-2019 models
  • Mac Pro: 2008-2019 models
  • Mac mini: 2009-2018 models

Even pre-2012 models with legacy graphics can run current macOS, though with some feature limitations.

The Real-World Difference

Moving from Catalina to Sequoia won’t make your hardware faster, but it will make your computing experience dramatically more functional. Websites that break or crawl on outdated browsers will work properly. Security warnings disappear. Apps that require newer macOS become installable.

It’s not about performance—it’s about compatibility and security in 2025.

Getting Started

If you are technically adept, the process takes a couple of hours.

  1. Download OpenCore Legacy Patcher from GitHub
  2. Create a macOS installer using the built-in tool
  3. Install OpenCore to your USB drive
  4. Boot and install the new macOS version
  5. Apply post-install patches for full hardware support

Worth the Effort?

If you can afford a new Mac, that’s the way for you to go. Modern Macs with the M series of chips are a great value.

But if you enjoy tinkering, and have a Mac with decent specs (8GB+ RAM, SSD storage), absolutely. You’ll extend your Mac’s useful life by 5+ years with current software support, modern browser compatibility, and ongoing security updates.

Your old Mac won’t become faster, but it will become usable again.

OpenCore Legacy Patcher is available free at https://dortania.github.io/OpenCore-Legacy-Patcher/. Always backup your data before system modifications.

Apple Vision Pro

/ Apple, Computer Hardware, Home Theater

I first used virtual reality goggles in 1994, when Sega set up a demo in Boulder, Colorado. It was very rudimentary. I virtually ran around for 20 minutes while vector-drawn teradactyls tried to attack me from above. I was disoriented, but fascinated. Apple has made a huge leap with the launch of the Vision Pro today. But I remain unconvinced that this is something most people will want to regularly use.

After using the Vision Pro for a week, I’m super impressed by the technology. It really feels like an amazing new interface. For Apple users, it’s both completely new and intuitive. Being able to place apps all around you is fun. Seeing immersive 3d videos and games is captivating.

But I don’t think many people will want to spend a lot of time with a headset on. The downsides are obviously weight and comfort. Even when that is improved, you’re still not in the real world. And the real world is great. There’s zero video jitter. You can make eye contact with people around you. There’s nothing smushed against your face.

I’ve ready many reviews saying that the Vision Pro is great, but that it’s really a preview of what’s coming in a few years. Just wait, they say, and the kinks will be ironed out. There will be more apps and we’ll find out how people really want to use this. I hope this is true. But I wonder if people are ever going to want to wear something on their head and live inside this for more than an hour at a time.

Like an immersive ride at Walt Disney World, it’s a lot of fun. I suggest signing up for a free demo at the Apple stores. These last about 20 minutes, and it really is a blast. But also like a Disney ride, you wouldn’t want it to last hours.

Using Apple Configurator for Printers

/ Apple, Computer Hardware

Apple devices typically use a service called Bonjour to look for AirPrint printers. Printers can be anywhere on your network and the service typically works to find out where (what IP address the printer is using). But if this doesn’t work for you, there can be a more reliable to connect to printers.

To set a particular printer to be accessed by an IP address, first you need to make that printer have a static IP (so that the IP address doesn’t change). This can be done through the printer itself or your router.

Then you need to make a profile using Apple Configurator (available through the Mac App Store). Make a new profile and name it something like “Printers.” Then add the printer(s) to the profile and put in the IP address(es). This profile can then be loaded on any Apple device (Mac OS or iOS).

By the way, this also helps if you want to print remotely while logged in through a VPN. Many VPN’s don’t play nicely with Bonjour, while using this direct approach works.

Preparing for Theft

/ Computer Hardware, Scam

Unfortunately, I’ve had several clients who have been robbed. The most recent was when a laptop was stolen from a car. There are some actions that you can take to avoid the worst outcomes if a theft does happen.

  1. Set Up Passwords:
    • Use strong, unique passwords or passcodes for both your device and your accounts.
    • Enable biometric authentication methods like fingerprint or facial recognition if available.
  2. Enable Remote Tracking and Wiping:
    • For smartphones, enable features like Find My iPhone (iOS) or Find My Device (Android). For laptops, use tracking software like Find My Mac (Apple) or Find My Device (Windows).
    • Set up remote wipe options to erase your data if the device is lost or stolen.
  3. Backup Your Data:
    • Regularly back up your device’s data to an external drive or a cloud service. This ensures you can recover your important files even if the device is stolen. Both Apple and Microsoft offer cloud backup services.
  4. Protect your Passwords
    • Especially important today, don’t let people see you type your phone or laptop login password. This “shoulder surfing” is now common before a theft. Once people can log in, they can change your password and actually lock you out of your accounts.

Don’t Buy a New Computer Now

/ Apple, Computer Hardware, Notebook Computers, Shopping, Windows

There’s a saying that the best time to buy a computer is when you need one. WIth new technology always arriving, most jumps in technology are incremental. So just buy whenever.  Today, in August 2020, I suggest waiting a bit longer if you can.

Apple is leading the way to end of Intel-based computers with their announcement that they will start using “Apple Silicon” in their computers. This will be a huge jump for Apple’s computers and it portends similar changes that are surely coming to the PC.

Apple CEO Tim Cook Announcing Apple Silicon (aka ARM) for Macs

42 years ago in 1978, Intel came out with the 8086 chip and the x86 architecture. Intel, along with Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) later, made practically every computer’s central processing unit (CPU). (There were many exceptions such as Motorola 68000 chips and PowerPC CPUs, but these never achieved the scale or had the long run of Intel’s CPUs.)

ARM CPUs use a different RISC-based architecture than Intel’s CPUs, and became most ubiquitous in Apple’s iPhones and iPads, as well as most Android phones. Apple will start selling Macs this year with ARM CPUs, which Apple refers to as “Apple Silicon,” justifiably since Apple puts a great deal of effort into designing and optimizing the CPUs for their devices.

ARM is already becoming popular in servers. Therefore, we only await Microsoft Windows’ move to ARM for a full transition away from the Intel era. (Microsoft Windows does have an ARM version, but it is not 64-bit and was never made to be able to run the x86 applications.)

What does an ARM CPU mean for consumers? Due to efficiencies of the ARM CPU, we will see computers that are faster, smaller, and cheaper, while also having better battery life. This is partially because Intel has hit technical snags which have kept their CPUs stagnant the last few years. While AMD has made great improvements with their Zen chips on the same x86 architecture, ARM chips are clearly the power per watt leaders of the future.

So certainly buy a new computer if you need one now. But a big jump in computing is on the way.

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