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What is the quickest and cheapest way to update Mac OS X Version 10.5.8 to the most current version of Mac OS?

I've recently received a new iPad, and I am trying to sync it to my iMac computerwhich has a 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Processor in it. When I plug the iPad into the computer an iTunes window pops up and says "The iPad 'iPad' cannot be used because it requires iTunes version 10.7 or later. Go to www.itunes.com to download the latest version of iTunes". So I go to iTunes.com/Apple.com to download iTunes 11.0.1. Once the download was finished I click on the iTunes icon to install it and the Installer window pops up and says "This software requires Mac OS X version 10.6.8 or later". So I need to update the Mac OS to a newer software, correct? And if so, how? I don't know what to do, I could just go the short route and get the next Mac OS or I could get the newest Mac OS, which should I do?


Thanks for reading! Hope I hear from you! ShawnaDeviney.

Mac OS X (10.5.8)

Posted on Jan 13, 2013 2:37 PM

Reply
1 reply

Jan 13, 2013 2:49 PM in response to ShawnaDeviney

Start by checking if you can run Snow Leopard:


Requirements for OS X 10.6 'Snow Leopard'


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


OS 10.6 Snow Leopard is once again available for $19.99 from the Apple Store:


http://store.apple.com/us/product/MC573/mac-os-x-106-snow-leopard


and in the UK:


http://store.apple.com/uk/product/MC573/mac-os-x-106-snow-leopard


but nobody knows for how long it will be available.


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 at least to Lion, but some functions are only available in Mountain Lion:


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


You can also purchase the code to use to download Lion (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/

What is the quickest and cheapest way to update Mac OS X Version 10.5.8 to the most current version of Mac OS?

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