Trying to download Chrome on a MacBook Pro early 2012

Bronzebuster wrote:

Tried. To download the browser but it gets stuck and nothing happens. Might not be tech savvy enough to figure it out.

If you don't want Firefox, or just want to also have a Chromium based browser, then you can use one of the last Vivaldi snapshots to support Catalina. In the following link, avoid the big Download button at the upper right of the page since it will just access the current release which is not compatible. You need to click on the macOS Intel version listed in the body of the blog.

Here is the download link for Vivaldi v6.9 (from Aug. 2024 so it will probably work well for a while until the Internet changes some more):

https://downloads.vivaldi.com/stable/Vivaldi.6.9.3447.35.universal.dmg

I did see a link for a snapshot version v6.10.x which still seemed to have a link for Catalina, but I could not find a direct download link for the stable channel version (aka the official release version). I'm not sure what version will be applied if you try to use the update function within the browser....will it update to the last supported version compatible with 10.15? or will it update/offer an incompatible version? I don't know, but the Vivaldi developers did say updates compatible with Catalina would occur through October 2024.

FYI, Vivaldi is based on Chromium which is also used by Google Chrome, but Vivaldi offers more customizations & extra features.

Who knows how long this version will allow access to various websites. As the Internet & web services changes, expect different websites to start having problems being accessed, but it should get you by for a little while.

Bronzebuster wrote:

I have this old but great MacBook Pro, early 2012, plenty of storage available and 8GB memory cards, had it refurnished, barely ever use it. But It's actually in better condition than my MacBook Air.

The MacBook Pro is currently running on Catalina IOS 10.15.7, but that does not support Newer versions of Chrome.

Does anyone knows if I can upgrade the IOS to Big Sur or which older but working version of Chrome I can download. I mostly use this for media.

Catalina is the end of the line for a...mid -2012(?)

The last supported update for this mac was 2022 macOS 10.15.7 there are no more updates.

there is no "early 2012" however all 2012's are limited to macOS 10.15.7

even the late retina model 2012...

Firefox browser may have older outdated browser for old macOS...

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1467773

Bronzebuster (Author)

Perhaps one of the few browsers that have seen recent updates

such as Firefox ESR 115+ may be useful, as other pathways are

obsoleted due to time. ~ Mozilla Firefox ESR (extended support

release) has been gracious, with older Mac hardware users.

Download Firefox in English (US) and more than 90 other languages

https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/all/desktop-esr/osx/en-US/

macOS upgrade path keeps 'latest three' systems supported.

And last versions of Brave show as 'not update/upgrade'-able.

.I see Brave latest versions can't be run in Big Sur macOS 11.x.

Also means Catalina won't see recent Brave installers, either.

Changes to macOS desktop browser requirements – Brave Help Center

My Macs are older and I've talked to them about letting newer

macOS or better secure browsers get in.. They're not having it.

I've a few older macOS system with vintage Hardware; as those

limited to what they can do online. ~ May be too risky nowadays.

mid 2012 MacBook Pro 13-in has Mojave 10.14. Late 2012 Mac mini

Server, dual HDD (three macOS): High Sierra/Mojave + Mavericks.

Also have downloaded installer for Catalina; not fully installed.

These are a bit better than fresh fruit; with a longer shelf-life!

Version 128 and earlier. Chrome uses resources when it's not running and does more tracking than necessary; you may want to try Brave 1.69x instead.

(260238)

You can't upgrade any of the 2012 MacBook Pros – whether Mid 2012 or Late 2012 models – to Big Sur. Catalina is the end of the line.

Current versions of most third-party browsers now seem to require Big Sur or later, but I believe the current version of Firefox will still run on Catalina.

Chromium Legacy (Chrome 124) is no longer maintained or that would have been something you could use.

However, if you're willing to use Firefox, then Firefox Dynasty is constantly upgraded to the latest version of FF (currently 138.0.3) - the current version is downloadable under Releases here:

https://github.com/i3roly/firefox-dynasty