TS2937: Mac OS X v10.6: Compatibility with the 64-bit kernel

Learn about Mac OS X v10.6: Compatibility with the 64-bit kernel
tmick60
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: Can I upgrade my Mac Mini (Early 2009) to OS X Lion/Mountain Lion?

I'd like to use iCloud, so am trying to upgrade from OS 10.5.8 but can't find a way to get to 10.6 let alone 10.7.

Mac mini, Mac OS X (10.5.8)

Posted on Aug 4, 2012 11:29 AM

by user1724,Solvedanswer
user1724 user1724
Level 3 (530 points)
A:

The app store only sows SL because you can only upgrade to ML fron SL or Lion.

 

If you have another Mac you might be able to download ML, make a USB installer, then do a clean install.  But you shpuld read the software agreement, not sure if apple allows that or not.

Posted on Aug 4, 2012 2:12 PM

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tmick60

Q: Can I upgrade my Mac Mini (Early 2009) to OS X Lion/Mountain Lion?

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  • Helpful answers

  • by John Lockwood,Helpful

    John Lockwood John Lockwood Aug 4, 2012 1:20 PM in response to tmick60
    Level 6 (9,411 points)
    Servers Enterprise
    Aug 4, 2012 1:20 PM in response to tmick60

    According to Apple's official list here http://www.apple.com/osx/specs/ your Mac mini is compatible with Mountain Lion which of course means it is also compatible with Lion.

     

    The upgrade process is to first upgrade to Snow Leopard, this gives you the ability to use the App Store. Then you should be able to buy and download the Mountain Lion installer (the Lion one is no longer available to purchase).

  • by tmick60,

    tmick60 tmick60 Aug 4, 2012 1:58 PM in response to John Lockwood
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 4, 2012 1:58 PM in response to John Lockwood

    Thanks, John, that's pretty much what I understood. However, I've poked all around the support pages and the app store and can't find a link to anything but updates to Snow Leopard. I can't find any way to make the upgrade from 10.5.8 to 10.6.x. Can this be done online? Thanks again for the reassurance that it should be doable.

  • by BGreg,Helpful

    BGreg BGreg Aug 4, 2012 2:11 PM in response to tmick60
    Level 6 (17,522 points)
    Aug 4, 2012 2:11 PM in response to tmick60

    You should call the Apple online store at 1-800-MY-APPLE and ask for Snow Leopard, which may be on their legacy products list. It's never been available via download. Otherwise, look at Amazon or hardcoremac.com.

  • by user1724,Solvedanswer

    user1724 user1724 Aug 4, 2012 2:12 PM in response to tmick60
    Level 3 (530 points)
    Aug 4, 2012 2:12 PM in response to tmick60

    The app store only sows SL because you can only upgrade to ML fron SL or Lion.

     

    If you have another Mac you might be able to download ML, make a USB installer, then do a clean install.  But you shpuld read the software agreement, not sure if apple allows that or not.