How can I use new apps on an old macbook?

Question

Hi all.
I've been using macs since September now, and there are a number of things I've found infuriating about working on my Macbook...
My Macbook is an old, mid 2007 model, Version 10.6.8, with a 2.16Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo Processor and 4GB.
Unfortunately, this model of Macbook will not update to any later version.  This means there are a lot of apps I cannot use on it.
I'm a filmmaking student, so editing is a huge part of my course. When downloading the newest version of any editing software (such as Premiere Pro or Avid Media Composer), the Macbook will simply refuse to install it, because it requires a newer version of OS X. This is just one example of the many things I cannot do due to the OS X version on here.
How can I get around using newer apps such as Premiere Pro with version 10.6.8? Baring in mind I'm a student so I cannot afford to spend money on a new hard drive or anything.
Also, if I have bought various games on Steam, but some of them are seemingly only playable on PC, can anyone tell me how I can get around playing those games on a Mac?
Any help is greatly appreciated.
Thank you in advance.
Steve

Answer 1

The Core2Duo MacBook (13-inch mid 2007) is rather dated, and to run a certain type
of software on that model you'd have to get the version which was current when the
computer model and the OS X versions it could run were prevailing. So an old version
of something you need (used, new-old-stock, etc) may do the job for a time.
Also, the Core2Duo series of early MacBook can run Lion 10.7.5 and that is about $20.
as a download with code you buy from the Apple Store online. There are a few updates
to the Lion version 10.7 once you went that far. Some older 10.6.8 capable applications
for Intel based Macs would probably still work OK in 10.7.5, but none of the PPC coded
third party applications would run without the Rosetta feature installed in Snow Leopard.
According to MacTracker database, your old Core2Duo is one of those which can run
Lion 10.7.5 at the latest, and a slight upgrade in RAM to 3GB total, is possible. Not sure
if any advantage of using two 2-GB chips would be seen as functional in there, but that
is an easy way to round off what is written as the higher supported amount of RAM. With
two of the 2 GB chips. Otherwise: one - 1 GB +  one - 2 GB = 3GB lists as total.
A good repaired MacBook or MacBook Pro of earlier vintage isn't very expensive; some
companies offer the versions older than those available at the Apple Store refurbished
page, that still may be capable, yet not run the latest applications. And several of them
probably should not run Yosemite since their hardware may be marginal. Models that
cannot have their hardware upgraded to run a later OS X, should not be chanced.
Sites such as macsales.com sometimes offer used Macs, wegenermedia.com has a
few different models, since they repair computers and offer excess on their site. The
powermax company has some. Not sure who actually repairs what they sell, with an
exception to wegenermedia who does repair on-site and will accept repair orders.
The everymac.com site is helpful in comparing various build year model specifications
as is the downloadable database of update upgrade specs from http://mactracker.ca .
So, you can upgrade past Snow Leopard 10.6.8, but that may or may not break other
applications you may still be able to use from the preceding era of Mac software. Lion
also would probably prefer more RAM than SL 10.6.8, so you're max-ed out there.
The MacBook series has been discontinued for nearly 5 years (2006 to 2010) so their
last model was among the better ones. MacBook/Pro 13-inch Late 2012 remains good
since you could add RAM and possibly upgrade the hard disk drive. It's a non-retina.
Hopefully you can find a deal on some good condition later model MacBook or Pro.
Good luck & happy computing!