Where can I download a suitable version of PyCharm Community for my 2015 MacBook Air with macOS 10.14.6?
I have a 2015 MacBook Air with macOS 10.14.6 installed. Upgrading the operating system isn’t practical as the computer won’t be able to handle newer versions. Otherwise, the laptop works fine.
I need to install PyCharm Community to learn Python as a hobby, but recent versions of PyCharm are not compatible with my system. On the official website, I couldn’t find older versions of PyCharm Community.
Please advise:
- Where can I download a suitable version of PyCharm Community for this configuration?
- Are there any alternative simple options for learning Python on an old MacBook Air?
For your MacBook Air 2015 with macOS 10.14.6, you should install PyCharm Community version 2018.3.7 or earlier versions from 2018, as these versions officially support macOS 10.14.6 (Mojave). Modern versions of PyCharm require newer versions of macOS and will not work on your system.
Table of Contents
- Where to Download the Appropriate PyCharm Community Version
- Official Sources for Old PyCharm Versions
- Third-Party Sites for Downloading
- Alternative Options for Learning Python
- Step-by-Step Installation of PyCharm 2018.3.7
- System Requirements and Compatibility
Where to Download the Appropriate PyCharm Community Version
For your MacBook Air 2015 with macOS 10.14.6, the ideal choice would be PyCharm Community 2018.3.7 or earlier versions from 2018. According to information from official JetBrains sources, these versions support macOS 10.14.6. Versions from 2019 and later require at least macOS 10.13 (High Sierra) or newer versions, but in practice often only work with more modern systems.
As noted in JetBrains Support, version 2018.3.7 works successfully on macOS 10.14.6.
Official Sources for Old PyCharm Versions
JetBrains provides an official page for downloading old versions of PyCharm:
-
Official PyCharm Old Versions Page - here you can find all previous releases of PyCharm, including version 2018.3.7 Community Edition.
-
PyCharm Community Edition Old Versions Page - a download page specifically designed for old Community Edition versions.
On these pages, you can find:
- PyCharm 2018.3.7 (the last version that officially supports macOS 10.14.6)
- Earlier 2018.x.x versions
- 2017.x versions for those who need maximum compatibility
Important: When downloading from official sources, you are guaranteed to get safe and verified versions without malicious software.
Third-Party Sites for Downloading
If for some reason official sources are unavailable, you can use trusted third-party resources:
-
MacUpdate - PyCharm Community Old Versions - a reliable resource with version history of PyCharm Community for Mac.
-
Softonic - PyCharm Community Edition for Mac - a popular software site where you can find older versions.
-
Uptodown - PyCharm for Mac - another reliable source for downloading older versions.
Warning: When downloading from third-party sites, always check files for viruses and make sure it’s exactly the version you’re looking for.
Alternative Options for Learning Python
If PyCharm on your MacBook Air is running too slowly or you’re experiencing other issues, consider lighter alternatives:
1. VS Code (Visual Studio Code)
VS Code is significantly lighter than PyCharm and works great on older Macs:
- Free and open source
- Python support via Microsoft’s Python extension
- Minimal system requirements
- Modern interface with IntelliSense support
2. Sublime Text
Another lightweight code editor:
- Very fast even on older systems
- Python support via SublimeLinter package
- Cross-platform but has a free version with occasional pop-ups
3. IDLE (included with Python)
The simplest option:
- Comes with the standard Python distribution
- No installation required
- Suitable for basic language learning
- Minimal system requirements
4. Jupyter Notebook
For interactive learning:
- Runs in a browser
- Allows writing and executing code in cells
- Great for data visualization
- Requires installation via pip (
pip install jupyter)
Step-by-Step Installation of PyCharm 2018.3.7
- Download the installer from the official source or a trusted site
- Open the downloaded file (usually
.dmg) - Drag PyCharm to the Applications folder
- Launch the application from the Applications folder
- Create a new project or open an existing Python file
- Configure the Python interpreter (usually system Python or create a virtualenv)
Tip: For better performance on an older MacBook Air, in PyCharm settings:
- Reduce the amount of memory allocated to the IDE
- Disable unnecessary plugins
- Use a theme with fewer visual effects
System Requirements and Compatibility
For PyCharm 2018.3.7, the following are required:
Minimum Requirements:
- macOS 10.13 (High Sierra) or newer (but works on 10.14.6)
- 2 GB RAM (4 GB or more recommended)
- 1 GB of free disk space
- Screen resolution 1024x768
Recommended Requirements:
- 4 GB RAM or more
- SSD drive for better performance
- Screen resolution 1920x1080
If your MacBook Air has only 4 GB of RAM, PyCharm 2018.3.7 will work but may be somewhat slow. In this case, consider lighter alternatives such as VS Code or Sublime Text.
Sources
- Official PyCharm Old Versions Page
- Official PyCharm Community Edition Old Versions Page
- JetBrains Support - PyCharm 2018.3.7 on macOS 10.14.6
- MacUpdate - PyCharm Community Old Versions
- Softonic - PyCharm Community Edition for Mac
- Uptodown - PyCharm for Mac
Conclusion
For your MacBook Air 2015 with macOS 10.14.6, the best choice would be PyCharm Community 2018.3.7, which can be downloaded from official JetBrains sources. If performance is an issue, consider lighter alternatives like VS Code or Sublime Text.
Recommended Actions:
- First, try installing PyCharm 2018.3.7 from the official website
- If it runs slowly, use VS Code as your main development environment
- For basic learning, you can additionally use Jupyter Notebook
- Regularly back up your projects
Remember that on older hardware, it’s important to optimize IDE settings for better performance. Even with limited resources, your MacBook Air will be great for learning Python as a hobby!