Legacy macOS Success Story: OS X Mavericks 10.9.5 on Toshiba Satellite C50(A)

Introduction:

  • Share the motivation behind installing OS X Mavericks on the older Toshiba Satellite C50(A).
  • Briefly mention the laptop specs and its nostalgic connection to the skeuomorphic macOS theme.

Hardware and Software Specs:

  • Provide detailed specs of the Toshiba Satellite C50(A) including CPU, GPU, RAM, WiFi card, Ethernet, and Audio codec.
  • Emphasize the absence of Bluetooth hardware and mention the choice to use OS X Mavericks.

Functional Components:

  1. WiFi and Ethernet:

    • Highlight the Success ful integration of Broadcom BCM94322HM8L for WiFi and Qualcomm Atheros AR817x for Ethernet.
  2. Audio:

    • Showcase the compatibility with the IDT92HD95 audio codec, ensuring sound functionality.
  3. iServices:

    • Confirm the functionality of iServices, indicating a Success ful integration with the macOS ecosystem.
  4. Sleep/Wake Functionality:

    • Discuss the reliability of sleep and wake functions, indicating a stable operating system.
  5. USB Compatibility:

    • Emphasize USB 2.0 and 3.0 support, ensuring seamless connectivity.

Non-functional Components:

  1. Bluetooth:

    • Mention the absence of Bluetooth due to the lack of hardware.
  2. AirDrop:

    • Clarify that AirDrop functionality is unavailable due to the absence of Bluetooth.

Unverified Components:

  • Acknowledge that battery management hasn't been tested extensively, explaining the reasons for avoiding SMCBatteryManagement.kext.

Conclusion:

  • Summarize the Success of installing OS X Mavericks on the Toshiba Satellite C50(A).
  • Reflect on the nostalgic experience and the reliability of a legacy macOS version on older hardware.

Note to Readers:

  • Encourage readers to share their own experiences with legacy macOS installations and provide insights into the compatibility of older systems.

Note: Always adhere to licensing agreements when installing macOS on non-Apple hardware. Legacy macOS versions may lack security updates and may not be suitable for daily use.

Success! - OS X Mavericks 10.9.5 - Toshiba Satellite C50(A)

Since I have already installed Big Sur on a newer laptop, and I had an older laptop lying around, I wanted to try installing a more legacy version of macOS (or OS X in this case). So I opted for Mavericks, as it was released at almost the same time as my laptop and was also the last version of macOS that had that old, skeuomorphic theme.

Specs:

  • Laptop: Toshiba Satellite C50-A-157
  • CPU: Intel Core i3-3110M
  • GPU: Intel HD Graphics 4000
  • RAM: 4GB DDR3
  • WiFi Card: Broadcom BCM94322HM8L (replaced)
  • Ethernet: Qualcomm Atheros AR817x
  • Audio Codec: IDT92HD95

What works:

  • WiFi
  • Ethernet
  • Audio
  • iServices
  • Sleep/Waking from Sleep
  • USB 2.0/3.0

What doesn't work:

  • Bluetooth (no hardware for it)
  • AirDrop (due to no Bluetooth)

I also haven't tested battery management as SMCBatteryManagement.kext has caused issues with booting in the past and since my laptop's battery is old and dies around 10 minutes after a full charge, I keep my laptop plugged in most of the time and I have no real need for it.

Author: @expiredsauces