Is system 10.5 still available for purchase?

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vinlynne Author

Level 1

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Is system 10.5 still available for purchase?

I'm using a PowerPC G5 and was wondering if I can still get the software to upgrade my operating system to 10.5?

PowerMac, Mac OS X (10.4.11)

Posted on Jul 10, 2012 6:13 AM

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Answer 1

Jul 10, 2012 6:16 AM in response to vinlynne

OS numbers and names

OS X 10.4.x - Tiger

OS X 10.5.x - Leopard

OS X 10.6.x - Snow Leopard

OS X 10.7.x - Lion

OS X 10.8.x - Mountain Lion

More about Macs

The Apple History site has specifications for every Mac ever produced: http://www.apple-history.com/

Upgrade to Leopard

Those wishing to upgrade to Leopard should be aware that install disks can be expensive unless you contact Apple. Details: http://lowendmac.com/deals/best-os-x-leopard-prices.html Standard Leopard installers impose several hardware limitations including speed and RAM size but all these restrictions can be overcome. Google for details. Leopard works well at 500 MHz with 1 GB of RAM and many happy users have less than this.

Upgrade beyond Leopard

OSs beyond OS X 10.5.8 require an Intel processor. If in doubt check this: Click the apple at the top left of your screen and select 'About this Mac'. This will give you your OS number. Then click 'More Info' to see which processor you have. If it says PowerPC you cannot upgrade to Snow Leopard and above. If you have an Intel Mac it is well worth upgrading to Snow Leopard now and then considering other options after that. You can buy Snow Leopard here: http://store.apple.com/us/product/MC573Z/A

Upgrade beyond Snow Leopard

Information about upgrading Snow Leopard to Lion or Mountain Lion: http://store.apple.com/us/product/MD256Z/A

Important

Check that your Mac complies with any requirements. If you are not in the US you should use the Change Country link at the bottom of Apple pages.

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Answer 2

Jul 10, 2012 1:45 PM in response to vinlynne

Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard installation system requirements

http://support.apple.com/kb/TA24950

Leopard is no longer available at the Apple Store but may be available by calling Apple Phone Sales @ 1-800-MY-APPLE (1-800-692-7753).

If you can't obtain a retail install DVD from Apple, look on eBay or Google the installer part numbers to possibly find at an on-line store. Here's what to look for:

MB427Z/A Leopard 10.5.1 install DVD

MB576Z/A Leopard 10.5.4 install DVD

MB021Z/A Leopard 10.5.6 install DVD (single user)

MB022Z/A Leopard 10.5.6 install DVD (5-user family pack)

Installing Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1544

Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard Installation and Setup Guide

http://manuals.info.apple.com/en/leopard_install-setup.pdf

After you install the base 10.5, download & install the 10.5.8 combo update at http://support.apple.com/downloads/Mac_OS_X_10_5_8_Combo_Update

The DVD should look like this

Caution - Leopard does not support classic mode. So, if you currently open OS 9 apps in classic mode, you won't be able to do this if you upgrade to Leopard.

 Cheers, Tom 😉

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Answer 3

Jul 18, 2012 3:56 PM in response to vinlynne

I have hit a roadblock and cannot use my new printer (also lost Firefox) because my iMac has hit a plateau of 10.4.11.

Is it possible to upgrade to Leopard 10.5?

I have an iMac 5.1; Intel Core 2 Duo Processor; Processor speed is 2 GHz; 1 Processor; @ Cores; 4MB L2 Cache; 1 GB memory; Bus Speed of 667 MHz.

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Answer 4

BDAqua

Level 10

250,259 points

Jul 18, 2012 4:02 PM in response to jeanne222

Leopard requirements/10.5.x...

* Mac computer with an Intel, PowerPC G5, or PowerPC G4 (867MHz or faster) processor

minimum system requirements

* 512MB of memory (I say 1.5GB for PPC at least, 2-3GB minimum for IntelMacs)

* DVD drive for installation

* 9GB of available disk space (I say 30GB at least)

Trouble is Apple no longer sells it, check eBay & such for the Retail version, not the Gray Discs...

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=mac+os+x+leopard+retail+10.5

There's TenFourFox for Browser in 10.4.11

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Answer 5

Jul 19, 2012 4:21 AM in response to jeanne222

You should have read my earlier post carefully.

You have an Intel Mac and hence it would be cheaper and better for you to upgrade direct to Snow Leopard.

See my earlier post for details.

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Answer 6

Jul 19, 2012 7:31 AM in response to vinlynne

Thanks for your help. I'm super nervous about trying anything like this. I need to hear exactly what I can do and what to do. My husband actually has a copy of Snow Leopard, so I will try to do it.

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Answer 7

Jul 19, 2012 7:37 AM in response to jeanne222

If his DVD was supplied with a Mac it will probably only work with that Mac but there is no harm in trying it.

It is best to make sure you have backed up all your data (Home folder) to an external disk before you start.

Perhaps you have done this with regular Time Machine backups.

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Answer 8

Jul 19, 2012 8:06 AM in response to vinlynne

I am in the process of backing up everything. I periodically back up my files, but there are a lot that I haven't done at all. Things that I have forgotten about.

Thanks again for your help.

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Answer 9

Jul 21, 2012 4:59 PM in response to Neville Hillyer

Thanks for your help. My husband had a new unused copy of Snow Leopard, and I downloaded it. No problems what-so-ever with the system install. Managed to install my new wireless printer, too. I can also access Firefox now!

I get super nervous when I have to do anything to the system.

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