So You Want to Tango with macOS 10.13: A (Mostly) Painless Guide for the Vintage Mac Lover
Ah, macOS 10.13 High Sierra. The OS that brought us the wonders of FileVault encryption for external drives (because who doesn't love a little extra security...anxiety?) and that fancy new Safari with website tracking prevention (because let's face it, even Macs need a little privacy these days).
But here's the rub: High Sierra, like all good things, has come and gone. Apple, in their infinite wisdom (and planned obsolescence, some might whisper), has relegated it to the past. So, how does a die-hard High Sierra enthusiast, a connoisseur of the pre-Mojave era, get their fix on a trusty MacBook Pro?
Fear not, fellow traveler down memory lane! This guide is here to be your DeLorean (minus the plutonium and flux capacitor...hopefully).
First Things First: Check Your Mac's Mileage
Before we dive headfirst into the download vortex, a little housekeeping is essential. Just like you wouldn't put high-octane racing fuel in your grandma's Corolla, you wouldn't want to try and shove High Sierra onto a brand new MacBook Pro. Head over to the trusty "About This Mac" section and check the year your MacBook Pro first graced the world with its shiny presence. Generally speaking, High Sierra plays well with MacBook Pros from 2009 to 2017.
If your MacBook Pro pre-dates 2009, you might be out of luck on the High Sierra front. But hey, there's always the thrill of the hunt for a vintage Mac that can run it!
Downloading High Sierra: The Quest for the Lost Installer
Alright, so your MacBook Pro is good to go. Now comes the not-so-thrilling part: finding the actual High Sierra installer. Apple, in all their new-macOS-glitz-and-glamour, have removed High Sierra from the App Store. But fear not, resourceful adventurer! There's a hidden path, a dusty old trail less traveled: the Apple Support website.
Here's the thing: you might have to do some light archaeological digging (read: Googling specific versions with keywords like "High Sierra 10.13.6"). But with a little perseverance, you'll unearth the holy grail – a downloadable disk image (.dmg) containing the High Sierra installer.
Important Note: Downloading from a random website is a recipe for security disaster. Stick to the trusted Apple source!
Installing High Sierra: Brace Yourself for the Journey
Once you've snagged the .dmg, it's installation time! This might take a while, so grab a cup of coffee (or your beverage of choice) and settle in for a trip down memory lane.
The installation process itself is fairly straightforward – follow the on-screen prompts, and before you know it, you'll be greeted by the familiar (and slightly retro) High Sierra desktop.
Congratulations! You've successfully wrestled your MacBook Pro back to the good ol' days of High Sierra.
Just a Few Housekeeping Chores (Because Nobody Likes a Messy Mac)
Now that High Sierra is up and running, there's a teeny tiny detail: security updates. Since High Sierra is no longer the new kid on the block, you won't get automatic updates from Apple. But don't fret! You can still download and install security updates manually by venturing back to the wonderful world of the Apple Support website.
Remember: Running an outdated OS without security updates is like leaving your front door wide open – not ideal.
So You've Got High Sierra: Now What?
The world (or at least, your MacBook Pro) is now your oyster! Embrace the nostalgia of the pre-Mojave era, revel in the simplicity of High Sierra, and enjoy the satisfaction of successfully defying planned obsolescence (well, kind of).
Just remember, while High Sierra might be your jam, some apps and software might not be as keen on this little adventure into the past. So, be prepared for a few compatibility hiccups along the way.
But hey, that's part of the charm, right? A little challenge, a touch of retro goodness – that's what keeps the vintage Mac lover's heart beating.
