Can I buy a 10.5.8 DVD if I own a 10.5.1 DVD?

According to some online findings, inconclusive in my searches, indicates
the fourth release on DVD of Leopard 10.5(.6) was the last retail disc one
can buy; one that would not be a download Combo update, or not be of a
machine-specific restore/install set, included with a specific new Mac model.

So, on a preliminary basis, Mac OS X 10.5.6 may be the last retail release
on DVD for any computer capable of running Leopard, which did not ship
with a custom machine-specific DVD of OS X 10.5.6 or later. If one exists.

And the current history shows Leopard 10.5.8 to be the last version of OS X
to run in PowerPC architecture; Tiger 10.4 was the first OS X system shipped
with the newer Intel-based Macs. Usually in a computer-specific version.

The versions, & listed download update steps, of OS X 10.5 are listed at wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MacOS_XLeopard

You could make a machine-specific disk image of an installed and updated 10.5.8
system; or make a clone of a completely healthy & updated system for a reference
system on a bootable externally enclosed hard disk drive. This could be used for a
number of important time saving purposes; including maintenance, repair & restore.

{I've saved the Combo, java, security and other updates from a recent 10.5.8 full
installation, for all steps above the 10.5.0 retail install DVD. ~ If you do one install
from scratch, save all of your files. And for the one computer you use, save at
least one fully functional bootable clone that is fresh; one to clone-back from or
use Disk Utility to save a fresh completely new install as a .dmg file.}

Perhaps if you call Apple Sales Support, and ask for a product specialist, they may
be able to answer to the inquiry of which level does the final retail DVD OS X 10.5
version supply to someone wanting an archive install disc for those computers which
won't upgrade past Leopard 10.5.8. They should be able to tell you the last retail step.
IF you go there (1-800-MY-APPLE) and find out, please post back. I may want one.

Good luck & happy computing! 🙂

You don't need to buy anything, just install the free 10.5.8 combo updater from here:

http://support.apple.com/downloads/MacOS_X_10_5_8_ComboUpdate

Klaus is correct. Also before upgrading, see my FAQ*:

http://www.macmaps.com/upgradefaq.html

- * Links to my pages may give me compensation.

If you want a second retail DVD installer of OS X 10.5, you
could get a later version of it, where available, and pay the
going rate. If you check with Apple, they'd be most likely to
have the Last Retail version of the Leopard DVD installer.

If this is what you are referring to, then there still would be
updates needed (10.5.8 Combo update/download) and
any other last Security Update, Java, QuickTime, & etc.

The method(s) I've suggested could help speed up the
time it takes to install and update a Leopard 10.5.x OS
and/or restore computer function from a bootable clone.
You can get fine clone utilities via download. I use one
called Carbon Copy Cloner from Bombich software.

But, you do not need to buy a different OS X 10.5.x DVD
(unless you have more than one computer running a
single-licensed version of this OS X Leopard 10.5) and if
so, then you could call Apple Sales at their 800# to see
which version the 'final edition full install' Leopard ships.

So, from what I see in your inquiry as written, it could
be subject to an interpretation not precisely as intended.

To have a last-version Leopard 10.5 final build would be good.
Then, any 'newer' security updates, or other download fixes or
add-ons would be less to keep track of; with few steps to install.

The 10.5.6 version appeared to be a final retail release on DVD.
Given the Combo update 10.5.8 D/L file will take 10.5.0 thru 10.5.7
incremental steps or retail/computer-specific builds to 10.5.8, the
need to actually own the 'final retail edition' is actually rather mute.

{Except for in such case of needing to install and maintain more than
one computer at the level the Mac OS X 10.5 system allows, and all
at the same time; without a 'family pack' licensed five install DVD.}

However that turns out...
Good luck & happy computing! 🙂

And if you want a copy of 10.5.8 with just the base system, you can always create that on your hard drive, clone to another, and keep that copy for recordkeeping if you want to see if the addons caused problems or not.

My backup FAQ* explains that:

http://www.macmaps.com/backup.html

- * Links to my pages may give me compensation.