How do I upgrade my MAC OS X?
I have 10.5.8 with 4GB of Ram.... I need atleast 10.7 how can I get this without waiting for some package in the mail? I need step by step instructions as to how to download every update I need to finally achieve 10.7 thanks
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I think its only available for download via "the app store". Go to apples website and see how to get the app store. From what I was told, that is the only way. I don't think there even is a version 10.7 disc if you did want it. I was told 10.6 was the last version that would be released on disc.
The upgrade is fairly painless. Its not like windows where I always plan to wipe the hard disk to start from scratch. I don't remember ever loosing a personal file while doing an upgrade.
OS 10.7 is not an update. It is a whole new OS. You have to buy it. Apple no longer shows it on the App Store, so you have to call them (1-800-myapple) to pay for it and download it. Even then, it cannot be installed over OS 10.5.8. Apple employees may get confused and tell you the only way is to buy the OS 10.6 DVD and install that first. That is how you go from OS 10.5.8 to OS 10.7. These are the three options.....
1) -- Buy the DVD at the link below.
-- Install that.
-- Use Software Update to get all updates until it is OS 10.6.8.
-- Call Apple to buy "Lion" (OS 10.7).
-- Install that.
2) -- Buy the OS 10.7 installer by calling Apple.
-- Follow the steps at the second link below to make either a bootable DVD or a bootable USB stick drive from that.
-- Boot to the DVD / USB drive, open Disk Utility, erase, quit Disk Utility, and install.
3) -- As above, but instead of erasing, use Disk Utility to make a new partition (at least 40GB to allow for updates) and install to that.
The advantage of (2) is you save 20 bucks by not having to buy the DVD. The disadvantage is that all installed third-party apps are lost, but some may be usable if you can reinstall them. Others may not work no matter what in OS 10.7.
The advantage of (3) is you can continue using all older apps that are installed without having to reinstall them, by booting to OS 10.5.8 that is unchanged. Then you can boot to OS 10.7 to use the advanced features of it and possibly use some newer apps that cannot work in OS 10.5.8.