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User profile for user: bbmark14
bbmark14 Author
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Mac mini hardware does not allow for newest Mac OS?

Hi, I have just recently bought a used mac mini model # M9686LL/B. This is my first mac. Since the mini is pretty old I am not sure whether or not I can upgrade the operating system. To do this you check for software updates right? While installing some applications at my friends house I tried installing the newest operating system off of the disk that came with his new macbook. The upgrade said that it did not sense an older mac OS and it wouldn't upgrade. I also tried the disk that was not the upgrade (the real deal). This would not work either. Is there some built in hardware that will not allow for the newer operating system? Is there any way I can get the newest operating system? I wouldn't care all that much but I bought this mac for iPhone app developing, and I can't download the SDK without the newest operating system.

Message was edited by: Host <to clarify Subject>

mac mini M9686LL/B, Mac OS X (10.4.11)

Posted on Feb 2, 2009 1:26 PM

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User profile for user: AndyO
AndyO
User level: Level 6
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Posted on Jan 28, 2011 12:45 PM

Every Mac mini can run Leopard - though the earliest base models which came with 256Mb RAM will need a memory upgrade to at least 512Mb. (Should have added that my first mini is the same model, and is currently running MacOS 10.5.6 at home).

However, you can't get Leopard (MacOS 10.5) by running software update. If your profile is right and your mini is running MacOS 10.4.11, you have to purchase Leopard because it's a totally different product than MacOS 10.4.

You also can't install the MacOS that came with a Macbook, because MacOS installers supplied with systems are specifically keyed to those systems (it is also breaking the license agreement of course since MacOS is a commercial product).

You can buy a copy of Leopard from any Apple reseller - the full retail package ($129) will install on your system as long as you have at least 512Mb RAM.

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User profile for user: AndyO
AndyO
User level: Level 6
17,064 points

Jan 28, 2011 12:45 PM in response to bbmark14

Every Mac mini can run Leopard - though the earliest base models which came with 256Mb RAM will need a memory upgrade to at least 512Mb. (Should have added that my first mini is the same model, and is currently running MacOS 10.5.6 at home).

However, you can't get Leopard (MacOS 10.5) by running software update. If your profile is right and your mini is running MacOS 10.4.11, you have to purchase Leopard because it's a totally different product than MacOS 10.4.

You also can't install the MacOS that came with a Macbook, because MacOS installers supplied with systems are specifically keyed to those systems (it is also breaking the license agreement of course since MacOS is a commercial product).

You can buy a copy of Leopard from any Apple reseller - the full retail package ($129) will install on your system as long as you have at least 512Mb RAM.

Message was edited by: AndyO
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Mac mini hardware does not allow for newest Mac OS?

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