Q: Does using Disk Utility also backup MSOffice 2008 (Mac) software already installed on my Macbook Pro with Snow Leopard? If not, how would I do that?

If your not very tech savvy, I would have someone assist you in the upgrade process as your about to inflict major change on your life and computer.

There are some things to consider before you upgrade.

1: The age of your machine:

My advice has been if your Mac is less than two years old and has a dedicated graphics (not all only Intel HD 3000 or 4000 CPU graphics like the 13" has)) then you stand a very good chance of 10.8 (or 10.7) running fine on your machine.

In either case you need to check the specifications of your machine to see if it meets Apple's requirements, and unfortunately those requirements are a bit low, resulting in a slower machine when you upgrade.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OS_X_Mountain_Lion

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mac_OS_X_Lion

(note: 10.7 is no longer being sold via the AppStore, you should upgrade to 10.8, however some machines can't, you can call Apple Sales to upgrade to 10.7)

If your machine originally came with 10.5, I would say forget it. Mac's don't last forever and laptops usually have a life of about 4 years with normal use. Desktops last longer of course and can withstand more OS X upgrades if Apple allows it.

2: The age of your software.

10.7 and 10.8 will not run PPC based software of old like 10.6 does, also upgrading to 10.8/10.7 may require expensive software upgrades that can hit you unexpected. Consult this site and your other needed software and hardware drivers/software (for printers/scanners,custom keyboards/mice etc) BEFORE you upgrade the operating system.

http://roaringapps.com/apps:table

3: Carbon Copy Cloner or SuperDuper  "clone" (payware)

Your OS X boot partition to a new/reliable, blank powered external drive and use Disk Utility to Repair Permissions on both afterwards. You can hold the option key down and boot from this clone drive to use the computer like before if your OS X upgrade fails and the machine gets bricked. You can also use Disk Utility to erase the entire internal drive and reverse clone if you find out the OS X upgrade is not to your liking.

Make sure all other drives are disconnected, like TimeMachine when cloning or upgrading OS X, thus when you reboot TimeMachine doesn't self update itself, which can lock you out from going back in time to restore from.

Note: If you have Bootcamp, you can clone that with WinClone (payware) to another drive and recreate Bootcamp later and restore it.

4: Some firmware updates can possibly "BRICK" your hardware

Firmware updates progress in a forward manner and can't be downgraded, so what sometimes occurs is a software error by programmers or a hardware glitch on your machine won't 100% cooperate with the firmware update and thus your machine will fail to function. Sometimes even a interruption in the OS X upgrade or firmware update process will cause the problem. When this occurs, a trip to a Apple Repair is in order and if your machine is out of AppleCare (3 years) or the 1 years standard warranty your looking at a very expensive logicboard replacement. At this time you usually consider the cost not worth it and rather spend the money on the newer machine, especially if it's 2-3 years old. This can come as quite a shock as you expected to pay $20 for a OS X upgrade and now have to buy a whole new machine.

You can't not upgrade the operating system for security and bug fixes, however you make sure you have AppleCare that will protect you for three years if such a hardware bricking occurs. If you don't have AppleCare you might want to reconsider taking the chance upgrading the operating system and thus the firmware.

AppleCare can be purchased within one year of the original machine purchase, it gives one 3 years of care from the date of machine purchase, not from the date of AppleCare purchase.

5: Market share of OS x versions (apx)

10.4 4.5% security updates > no

10.5 15% security updates > no

10.6 52% security updates > yes

10.7 30% security updates > yes

10.8 2 million upgraded so far, just released

6: Your decision to upgrade or not

It depends upon your computer technical ability, the age of your machine, your software investment and your budget.

Can you afford to pay for professional assistance if your upgrade doesn't go as expected? Are you in AppleCare?

Can you afford to pay for upgrades to third party software?

Can you afford the downtime while your machine is being repaired?

Can you live without the "new features" newer OS versions provide?

Does your hardware even support the newer features?

You might decide the upgrade is not worth it for your older machine and decide to ease yourself into a new machine gradually. I took this approach with my 2006 MacBook Pro, buying a Early 2011 model. I then upgrade to 10.7 on the older 2006 machine and glad I did, because it got bricked. Turned out 10.7 was a pretty awful upgrade and I was out of AppleCare, however 10.8 seems to be "normal" far as OS X upgrades go, some problems but not mass bricking of machines.

thetrvllngchef writes;

I'm not too tech savvy, so a simple solution would be appreciated.

so you paste him that! You are a hard task master ds_store.

roam wrote:

 

so you paste him that! You are a hard task master ds_store.

I'm trying to prevent a disaster from occurring and giving the op the options to do their own homework first.

We know nothing of the model, versions of software, or if the OP has very expensive large scale third party equipment like oversized printers, etc, that there are no Intel drivers for them.

The OP sounds like a artist, having Photoshop, Illustrator etc., they can tend to have these higher end machines that cost several thousand dollars. Not to mention having to replace all the expensive Adobe programs that won't work on 10.8.

I actually just wrote that post because I was alarmed by what they said,  then turned it into a User Tip, so I can modify it and inform people to take a careful assessment of their situation before they suddenly find themselves in hot water.

Things to consider before upgrading OS X

If the OP doesn't even know about backing up their machines yet, then they really shouldn't be attempting to upgrade their operating system in the first palce.

Most commonly used backup methods

There are no simple solutions. I recommend making a bootable backup/clone onto an ext FWHD using Carbon Copy Cloner or SuperDuper!, installing ML onto it, after saving the ML installer before running it, booting with the ML volume, and  seeing how it goes. This way, you can always revert back to a good Snow Leopard installation. BTW, peruse http://www.macintouch.com/reviews/mountainlion/ wherein the salient point about upgrading to Lion or ML is:

"…all about making your Mac and your iPhone and iPad work better together. If you haven't embraced iOS, Apple's touch-based iPhone/iPad operating system, there are some nice enhancements for the Mac itself but little that is groundbreaking [or compelling]."

Do note that if you do the move ALL of your PPC apps become useless in the new environment.

I take your point, and the effort you have put in is commendable.