Upgrade options with MacBook Pro Retina (2012)

Depending how you utilize this laptop, you may want to consider using Linux Mint which is a non-Apple OS that can run the current versions of the popular web browsers (Firefox, Vivaldi, Brave, Chrome) and also includes the most recent version of LibreOffice, although you will find very few major proprietary apps available (No MS or Adobe software although there are usually free open source options within the Linux Mint software repository). Linux does require learning a new OS so it is not for everyone, but it is a great way to extend the useful life of older computers when macOS and your old apps no longer function.

You can easily test Linux Mint by choosing the "Live" option when booting the Linux Mint installer. It will be very slow booting from the USB stick, but you can at least see what it looks like and the default apps that are installed. Performance will be much better once installed to the internal drive.

If you decide to install Linux Mint, then make sure to first make & test a bootable macOS 10.15 Catalina USB installer now while you still can so that you have more options available just in case you decide to go back to macOS and Internet Recovery Mode gives problems. And make sure any important files you need are stored on external media that can be accessed without macOS (exFAT is a good option).

Current versions of most third-party browsers require Big Sur or higher.

Still, Catalina is enough to run the latest version of Firefox .

Also, I believe, enough to run current versions of LibreOffice, the GNU Image Manipulation Program (GIMP), and the commercial Affinity V2 applications (Photo, Designer, Publisher). Catalina is no longer enough for applications from vendors such as Microsoft and Adobe who support only the "most recent three"; it fell off that list some time ago.

None.

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