Can a MacBook Pro (13-inch, Early 2011) be used for anything in 2023?

I'm hoping to use this MacBook Pro (13-inch, Early 2011) for something.  I know High Sierra has not been supported for a while now.  I don't want Linux on it but will reserve that as a last choice.  I don't know if it even works yet, I'm going to order a power supply for it as soon as I get a little confirmation.  I did some searches but my findings were not very complete.  I would like to just have it around to become a little familiar with Mac, and if possible, to use it for FaceTime or Skype.  The macs usually have such nice camera's I thought it would be good for FaceTime.  I didn't get around to confirming Chrome would work on it or not, I think not?  I also seem to remember that Safari won't work, or won't work very well?  I will need to check FireFox too as they seem to support stuff longer, as in Windows 7.

Thanks guys  

Not helpful?

Hello @pcpunk

As I own MacBook Pro computers newer and older, by my reckoning, the MBP you seem to describe may be a MacBookPro8,1 and its last Apple security updates to macOS 10.13.6 High Sierra came in November 2020. I am also fairly certain that the MBP cannot be updated to macOS 10.14 Mojave.

As a side note, rather than a “power supply”, I believe you may be looking for a 60W MagSafe Power Adapter replacement.

Although Google Chrome will work on that MBP, I would recommend Firefox for safety & security, even though High Sierra will certainly lack many important security updates.
 

@cryptodan's Linux suggestion is helpful in that some Live-CD images can be made bootable on USB thumb drives for you to try. Of some interest may be the high security Tails.

HTH

You might be able to run newer versions of macOS with the help of OCLP?
https://dortania.github.io/OpenCore-Legacy-Patcher/

Yes, I saw that stuff but it doesn't look 100% and I don't have time to play around with stuff that much these days.  

@cryptodan's Linux suggestion is helpful in that some Live-CD images can be made bootable on USB thumb drives for you to try. Of some interest may be the high security Tails.

 

HTH

I said that is a last resort, and Dan knows I know all about Linux.  As if you didn't notice my avatar is KDE?  Of course Linux will work, but some of the hardware may not work as well as with Mac OS, and I am very interested in the Camera and FaceTime.  And again, as ALREADY stated, I want to use the MacOS if possible. 

Does anyone know if FaceTime will work or be updated on that old OS?

Edited by pcpunk, 08 September 2023 - 07:35 AM.

Just to reiterate, for you know, those who can't read haha

"I don't want Linux on it but will reserve that as a last choice."

I messed up guys!!!!! haha

I wiped the drive in Disk Utility forgetting that Apple no longer has the OS on the servers for the public so I could not reinstall.  Now I need to create an installer for MacOS High Sierra on Windows 10.  Anyone have a good tutorial on how to do that besides all the garbage that I see out there?

I'll just create an installer, found a decent tutorial to do so.  I made a little mistake first time around so will have to start over tomorrow.  The laptop seems to be in good condition so I will finish up tomorrow.  I should boot linux and check the disk for errors though.

I think I blew it guys!

It appears that High Sierra does not come in a complete installer and the Servers are not longer active.  

I keep getting this message:

"the recovery server could not be contacted"

None of the stupid fixes on the internet worked.  Did I say how much I hated Mac's!!!!!  This is more reason to not like them.  Not to mention, not one of the Mac Idiots on the net pointed this out in all the videos and tutorials I looked at.  

Not sure how I would recover the whole OS and get it back on the drive?

I think I may do one of the work arounds to install a newer os that is a full installer.  I feel so stupid now that I wiped the drive haha.  I can always try to install Windows and sell the junk off.  I really wanted to use Mac, but mac is stupid haha