What OS for a 1st-gen Macbook Air?

By Cute James
in Apple (macOS)

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Cute James

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Hello chaps,

 

I've recently acquired a first generation (early 2008) Macbook Air (2gb ram, 128gb SSD).

 

It's currently running Snow Leopard, however I'm wondering if it's worth upgrading to Lion (I can still purchase the OS on a USB stick from Amazon JP).  Aside from security and application compatibility, are there any performance enhancements in the newer OS?  I read of reports of overheating when the 1st-gen MBAs were upgraded to Lion, but perhaps these issues have long since been resolved?

 

Alternatively, would I be better off installing Windows 7/8.1 via Bootcamp?

I'm actually rather interested in trying the new 'NTLite' tool to create custom, stripped-down Windows 7/8.1 installation, so this old MBA might be a nice testbed.

 

Thanks in advance!

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Grand Master

+InsaneNutter MVC

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I believe Lion is still supported with security updates, however i couldn't find for how much longer. Windows might be the better option if you are thinking of using the laptop long term.

 

If you can get Windows 8 on there it will be supported and get security updates until 2023, or 2020 with Windows 7.

  • 2 weeks later...
Grand Master

fusi0n

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If you're interested in the best possible performance, I'd probably keep it on Snow Leopard. Depends a bit on what kind of work you intend to do with it though. Personally I'd be worried about having only 2 gigs of RAM.

Snow Leopard is still my favorite OSX.. The last few have been a mess.. I hope they fix all of it in 10.10..

Veteran

Studio384

Posted
Posted

I believe Lion is still supported with security updates, however i couldn't find for how much longer. Windows might be the better option if you are thinking of using the laptop long term.

 

If you can get Windows 8 on there it will be supported and get security updates until 2023, or 2020 with Windows 7.

As far as I know, Lion isn't supported anymore. Even Mountain Lion isn't supported anymore.

Experienced

UKer

Posted
Posted

Lion will be fine, the problems have been solved. I wouldn't try newer versions though.

 

It will be more than adequate for at least 3 years, when you will need to upgrade, ignore the others who are trying to make you install Windows, which will see you hardware run like crap. I've seen Windows 7 on the original Air and it runs terribly as it's not optimised. OS X is.

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Cute James

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Wow, I had forgotten about this thread...thanks for bringing it back pdmcmahon, and to everyone else for their replies.

 

Truth be told, after I started the MBA up, installed all the updates, I haven't really touched it a great deal, which is strange because the performance (in theory at least) should be much better than the older Dell laptop I'm currently using.

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