I have iMac running OS X 10.5.8 How do I update to Lion? Update to Snow Leopard, then Lion?

Hello,

We need more info about your Mac to see if it will even be capable,

So we know more about it...

At the Apple Icon at top left>About this Mac, then click on More Info, then click on Hardware> and report this upto but not including the Serial#...

Hardware Overview:

Model Name: iMac

Model Identifier: iMac7,1

Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo

Processor Speed: 2.4 GHz

Number Of Processors: 1

Total Number Of Cores: 2

L2 Cache: 4 MB

Memory: 6 GB

Bus Speed: 800 MHz

Boot ROM Version: IM71.007A.B03

SMC Version (system): 1.21f4

You'll need to buy SL/10.6 first & get it to 10.6.8, then get Lion... if you can run it.

Or if you can erase your disk...

http://store.apple.com/us/product/MD256

Snow Leopard/10.6.x Requirements...

General requirements

* Mac computer with an Intel processor

* 1GB of memory (I say 4GB at least)

* 5GB of available disk space (I say 30GB at least)

* DVD drive for installation

* Some features require a compatible Internet service provider; fees may apply.

* Some features require Apple’s MobileMe service; fees and terms apply.

Which apps work with Mac OS X 10.6?...

http://snowleopard.wikidot.com/

It looks like they do still have it:

http://store.apple.com/us/product/MC573Z/A?fnode=MTY1NDAzOA

And it's been reported that if you have a MobileMe account Apple will send one free.

If it's a core Duo & not a Core2Duo, then it'll only run in 32 bit mode.

Snow Leopard/10.6.x Requirements...

Lion/10.7 System requirements

• x86-64 processor (Macs with an Intel Core 2 Duo, Intel Core i3, Intel Core i5, Intel Core i7, or Xeon processor.)

• At least 2GB of memory, (I say 4GB)

• Latest version of Mac OS X Snow Leopard (10.6.8), with the Mac App Store installed

• At least 4GB of disk space for downloading, (I say 40GB at least)

Like Snow Leopard, Lion does not support PowerPC-based Macs (e.g., Power Macs, PowerBooks, iBooks, iMacs (G3-G5), eMacs).

Lion also does not support 32-bit Intel Core Duo or Core Solo based Macs. Rosetta is no longer available in Lion, which means Lion no longer supports PowerPC applications.

I need to have Lion to sync my iPhone and iPad with my iMac.

For syncing all you need is the latest iTunes which does still run under 10.5.8. If you want full iCloud functionality then you need Lion.