upgrading 10.4.11 to a later version

Without know what Mac you have, it is impossible to answer your question.

Allan

luvnhouse wrote:

Hello - I have a pretty old OS X version of 10.4.11 on my tower and would like to know what are the implications of upgrading my OS? I don' necessarily need the latest version but I would like to get at least a 10.6 or something more recent.

Thanks!

First thing is, no more Classic environment or support of any kind for OS9 or earlier applications.

Quite a lot of software may need updating (Adobe in particular), but PPC apps (Appleworks and MS Office 2004 and earlier to name a couple) should still work OK provided you ensure Rosetta is installed.

Older printer or scanner drivers will almost certainly need updating, if updates are available.

Otherwise 10.6 is a good OS and I'd recommend sticking with it for a while before considering further upgrades which will render all PPC apps and drivers unusable. Not to mention further updates needed for not just 3rd part software, but Apple software too.

Start by checking if you can run Snow Leopard:

Requirements for OS X 10.6 'Snow Leopard'

http://support.apple.com/kb/SP575

Whilst Apple have withdrawn Snow Leopard from their stores, you can still get it from Apple by calling 1-800-MY-APPLE (if you are in the USA) and they will supply the SL DVD for $20 for a single user, or $30 for a family pack that covers up to 5 Macs. You can also purchase the code to use to download Lion from the same number (Lion requires an Intel-based Mac with a Core 2 Duo, i3, i5, i7 or Xeon processor and 2GB of RAM, running the latest version of Snow Leopard), or you can purchase Mountain Lion from the App Store - if you can run that:

http://www.apple.com/osx/specs/

If you are outside the US call your national Apple Helpline:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HE57

If you're in the UK, use this number: 0871 508 4400

When you have installed it, run Software Update to download and install the latest updates for Snow Leopard.

To use iCloud you have to upgrade all the way to Mountain Lion:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4759