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User profile for user: joetoronto
joetoronto Author
User level: Level 1
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Does New MacBook Pro 15" Come With 2 Operating Systems?

I apologize for my ignorance, I haven't used a Mac in some time and my knowledge of computers is very limited.

I just bought a new MacBook Pro 15" model and it came with 3 disks. Besides the "Applications Install DVD", one of the other disks says "Mac OS Install DVD" and the other one says "Mac OS X Snow Leopard".

Am I to believe that this laptop came with 2 operating systems, or two versions of the same system, and if so, why?

I'm thinking Snow Leopard is the latest version and if that's the case, why would they even include the other one?

I'm so confused, lol.

Thanks so much in advance and again, please pardon my ignorance.

Joe

Macbook Pro, Mac OS X (10.5.8), 15"

Posted on Jan 10, 2010 5:40 AM

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User profile for user: V.K.
V.K.
User level: Level 9
56,174 points

Jan 10, 2010 6:00 AM in response to joetoronto

yes, your computer did indeed come with two different OS install disks. this happens on occasion during transition from one OS to another. your computer was made before snow leopard came out. so the disk mac os install disk" contains leopard, not snow leopard. that's the disk that was made for your computer originally and that's the OS that's currently installed on it. but after snow leopard came out they put in a drop-in snow leopard dvd in the box in addition to the original disks. you can use it to install snow leopard.
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User profile for user: Tom in London
Tom in London
User level: Level 4
1,632 points

Jan 10, 2010 6:33 AM in response to joetoronto

Snow Leopard purrs along nicely as long as you install it correctly and wait patiently for an hour or more, even when nothing seems to be happening.

I would advise you to go with Snow (including Rosetta). I have a lot of very old apps that run without a hitch in SL.

Anyway you're going to need to be running SL when the next major Apple software upgrade comes along. In fact, my understanding of SL is that it's a preparatory thing that gets everyone ready for other system upgrades that will be coming along later.

If you don't install SL now, you'll have to install it then.
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User profile for user: Tom in London
Tom in London
User level: Level 4
1,632 points

Jan 10, 2010 6:36 AM in response to joetoronto

No - what happens at a certain point in the SL installation process is that you will be asked if you want Rosetta- Just say "yes" and it will be installed along with everything else.

But even if you don't, it can still be installed later. There's an option to do that if you try to start up an application that needs it. If so, you'll get a prompt asking you to install it at that time.
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User profile for user: V.K.
V.K.
User level: Level 9
56,174 points

Jan 10, 2010 11:19 AM in response to joetoronto

joetoronto wrote:
Update: It installed without a hitch in about 30 minutes, but It never asked me about Rosetta.

I did some research and I guess when I need it, I'll be asked to download it.

Is this right?

yes.
One more question, please. Can I give the Snow Leopard disk to my daughter to install on her Mac, or is that taboo?

if you bought a regular SL DVd then this is not allowed. you can buy a family pack and use it on up to 5 computers in the same household.
Thanks again you guys.

Joe
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Does New MacBook Pro 15" Come With 2 Operating Systems?

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