Why is the Early 2013 MacBook Pro Not Eligible for macOS Big Sur Update?

The early 2013 MacBook Pro is not listed among the Macs eligible for the macOS Big Sur update primarily due to hardware limitations. Apple typically sets specific hardware requirements for each new macOS version to ensure optimal performance and compatibility with new features. This is a strategic move to focus on hardware that can better support advancements in software security and user experience.

Hardware Requirements for macOS Big Sur

For macOS Big Sur, Apple required at least a MacBook Pro from 2013 or later. This means that the early 2013 model does not meet the criteria, as it was released before the hardware improvements needed to run the latest macOS versions efficiently. This decision is part of Apple's ongoing strategy to encourage users to upgrade to newer models.

Technical Reasons for Incompatibility

The actual technical reason why the 2013 MacBook Pro is incompatible is because newer Mac OS versions generally tax the GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) very hard. The specific GPU generation is what determines whether a device will or won't work with newer macOS versions. For example, Big Sur won't run on the Intel HD4000 GPU, which is found in the early 2013 MBP 13” and late 2012 Mac Mini, but will work on the HD5000 GPU found in the 2013 MBA (MacBook Air).

There are people who create patchers to allow macOS 11 to work on unsanctioned hardware, but doing so is at your own risk and is not officially supported. You can find these patchers on Reddit and other online forums.

Alternatives to the Early 2013 MacBook Pro

While the early 2013 MacBook Pro is indeed too old to run macOS Big Sur, it is still compatible with older versions of macOS, such as Catalina. Catalina will remain supported for many years to come, as is the case with High Sierra, which is still supported by Macs with the HD3000 GPU and below.

Many software applications will also remain fully functional without the latest greatest macOS. For instance, I am still running Office 2008 on a 2011 iMac under High Sierra, and it provides a pleasant experience. It also runs the latest Quicken, Plex server, and all the software I use. I could easily run Office 365 on this machine as well.

All my Macs are from 2010 to 2013, and I have been using them 24/7 with no failures yet. These machines were all purchased used on eBay, and their total cost of ownership (TCO) is quite reasonable. I do, however, feel a sense of FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) with the latest macOS updates and may have to upgrade to a newer model.

Alternatives to macOS

There are other alternatives to macOS, such as Linux. MacOS and the Linux family of operating systems are both evolutions of Unix. If you frequently use the command line or terminal, you might notice few differences, as both run under Bash shells. Linux also offers versions that provide a MacOS-like GUI, a Chrome OS-like GUI, and various other GUIs.

Linux has unique versions as well. All home versions of Linux are free to install and offer Mac/Windows equivalents. Some hardware can be finicky, but you can usually find workarounds online through NDIS wrappers.

Linux tends to be safer than Mac for security purposes due to professional courtesy built by hackers/programmers. It is very easy to use, and I recommend trying Ubuntu to start. You can even try it without installing it first.

Conclusion

The compatibility issues with the early 2013 MacBook Pro and macOS Big Sur are primarily due to hardware limitations. While these older devices are still compatible with older macOS versions, there are alternatives such as Linux that can provide a similar experience. It's important to weigh the benefits of updating your hardware against the costs and potential risks.