Where can I find the OS X 10.6 snow leopard?

Kappy 08/2012 post on upgrading to Snow Leopard, then Lion or Mountain Lion - https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4246342?answerId=19401628022#19401628022 - including how to get Snow Leopard and Lion since Apple removed them from the online store.

For Snow Leopard:

1) Make sure your computer meets Snow Leopard technical specifications - http://support.apple.com/kb/SP575 This mostly means making sure it is an Intel Mac and has at least 1GB RAM (at least 2 GB is recommended). Go to the Apple in the upper left corner of any window, then "About This Mac". Does it mention "PowerPC" (not Intel), or Intel? To check RAM continue to "More Info...". It should say you have at least 1GB of "memory".

2) Apple no longer carries 10.6 in its stores or online. Telephone Apple to purchase a Snow Leopard disc. In the USA: (800) 676-2775 (contact information for other countries: http://support.apple.com/kb/HE57)

Alternatively you can buy from online retailers but anticipate paying much more than the original price which is the price still charged by Apple

3) Backing up your computer before upgrading is always a good idea.

4) After installing from the DVD, update your Snow Leopard installation using Software Update or manually downloading and installing the Mac OS X 10.6.8 Update Combo v.1.1 - http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1399

The first step in Upgrading... is to Snow Leopard = OS X 10.6.x

It is Not available as a download... It is a Paid Upgrade.

Do this first...

Check that your Mac meets the System Requirements for Snow Leopard...

Snow Leopard Tech Specs

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

If so Contact Apple in your Country to Purchase a Snow Leopard Disc...

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

In the US...

1-800-MY-APPLE or 1-800-676-2775

After the Successful Install, run Software Update to get the latest updates for Snow Leopard.

Be sure to make a Backup of your Current System Before Upgrading...

Call Apple to buy Snow Leopard > http://support.apple.com/kb/HE57 You should upgrade to Mountain Lion because it's the most recent OS X. Check if your apps are supported > http://www.roaringapps.com

Right! You have to upgrade to at least Snow Leopard to use iTunes 10.7 and your iPhone 5.

Read on:

To upgrade from OS X 10.5.8, you must first buy Snow Leopard by calling the phone number in the Apple Online Store: 800-MY-APPLE (in the US). Snow Leopard costs $20, or $30 for a five user license.

Do not obtain Snow Leopard from any source other than Apple. It is not available to download from any legitimate source.

Make sure your system meets Snow Leopard's requirements:

Mac OS X 10.6 "Snow Leopard" System Requirements

To install Snow Leopard for the first time, you must have a Mac with:

• An Intel processor
• An internal or external DVD drive, or DVD or CD Sharing
• At least 1 GB of memory (RAM) (additional RAM is recommended)
• A built-in display or a display connected to an Apple-supplied video card supported by your computer
• At least 5 GB of disk space available, or 7 GB of disk space if you install the developer tools

After you install Snow Leopard you can decide if you want to upgrade OS X to the latest version, Mountain Lion. Mountain Lion is available in the Mac App Store, which is available to you after upgrading to Snow Leopard.

Make sure your system meets the requirements for Mountain Lion:

Mac OS X 10.8 "Mountain Lion" System Requirements

To install Mountain Lion, you need one of these Macs:

• iMac (Mid 2007 or newer)
• MacBook (Late 2008 Aluminum, or Early 2009 or newer)
• MacBook Pro (Mid/Late 2007 or newer)
• MacBook Air (Late 2008 or newer)
• Mac mini (Early 2009 or newer)
• Mac Pro (Early 2008 or newer)
• Xserve (Early 2009)

Your Mac needs:

• OS X v10.6.8 or OS X Lion already installed
• 2 GB or more of memory (RAM)
• 8 GB or more of available hard disk space

If your system does not support Mountain Lion's requirements, you may be able to upgrade to Lion. To do that you must call Apple again to order a download code. Redeem the download code in the App Store to download Lion.

Make sure your system meets the requirements for Lion:

Mac OS X 10.7 "Lion" System Requirements

Mac with an Intel Core 2 Duo, Core i3, Core i5, Core i7, or Xeon CPU

Core Duo CPUs are not sufficient for Lion

• 2GB of memory (RAM)
• OS X v10.6.6 or later (v10.6.8 recommended)

To determine which Mac you have, what kind of CPU it uses, and how much memory is installed:  > About this Mac