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I have an Intel-based iMac G5, running OS 10.6.8. Can I upgrade to Mountain Lion?

I just upgraded from 2GB RAM to 4GB, thinking this was all I needed to do. But now it's telling me that Mountain Lion won't run on my machine. So am I stuck in the pre-iCloud world?

iMac, Mac OS X (10.6.8)

Posted on Mar 30, 2013 7:57 PM

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16 replies

Mar 30, 2013 8:00 PM in response to stuactive

Your Mac needs to meet the specs below.


OS X 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

8 GB or more of available space

Mar 30, 2013 8:04 PM in response to stuactive

You cannot have an Intel G5. The G5 is a PowerPC based computer and cannot run Snow Leopard. So either you have an Intel based iMac or a G5 iMac. The former can run Snow Leopard.


So which do you have? What is the exact model you have? Open System Profiler and report the Mac model identifier numbers.

Mar 31, 2013 1:58 PM in response to Kappy

Kappy wrote:


So which do you have? What is the exact model you have? Open System Profiler and report the Mac model identifier numbers.

He cannot have a "G5" in any sense of the word and be running Snow Leopard 10.6.8...


OP: Check and see if your iMac can be updated to Lion; if so, you can call Apple and get a special code to purchase and download Lion, which will give you access to iCloud.


BE AWARE: Lion no longer includes the Rosetta transparent translator software that allows you to run PowerPC apps on your Snow Leopard iMac. If you have existing PowerPC apps, let us know which they are, so we can properly advise you on your workarounds in Lion.


Go to the Apple Menu: About this Mac: More Info...: Applications: and see which ones are listed as PowerPC.

Mar 31, 2013 2:00 PM in response to MlchaelLAX

He cannot have a "G5" in any sense of the word and be running Snow Leopard 10.6.8...


I know, Michael, but I figure if he thinks he has a G5 and does, then he's also mistaken about the OS version he's using. I figure I need to first ascertain what the hardware is before I can worry about the software. 😀

Apr 1, 2013 10:07 AM in response to stuactive

You may upgrade it to Lion if you wish, but frankly you're just as well off with Snow Leopard. But if upgrading is what you need to do:


Upgrading to Lion


If your computer does not meet the requirements to install Mountain Lion, it may still meet the requirements to install Lion.


You can purchase Lion by contacting Customer Service: Contacting Apple for support and service - this includes international calling numbers. The cost is $19.99 (as it was before) plus tax. It's a download. You will get an email containing a redemption code that you then use at the Mac App Store to download Lion. Save a copy of that installer to your Downloads folder because the installer deletes itself at the end of the installation.


Lion System Requirements


1. Mac computer with an Intel Core 2 Duo, Core i3, Core i5, Core i7,

or Xeon processor

2. 2GB of memory

3. OS X v10.6.6 or later (v10.6.8 recommended)

4. 7GB of available space

5. Some features require an Apple ID; terms apply.

Are my applications compatible?


See App Compatibility Table - RoaringApps.

Apr 1, 2013 10:14 AM in response to Allan Eckert

Let's see; what did I say:



OP: Check and see if your iMac can be updated to Lion; if so, you can call Apple (1-800-MYAPPLE) and get a special code to purchase and download Lion, which will give you access to iCloud.


BE AWARE: Lion no longer includes the Rosetta transparent translator software that allows you to run PowerPC apps on your Snow Leopard iMac. If you have existing PowerPC apps, let us know which they are, so we can properly advise you on your workarounds in Lion.


Go to the Apple Menu: About this Mac: More Info...: Applications: and see which ones are listed as PowerPC.


Your iMac can be updated to Lion...

I have an Intel-based iMac G5, running OS 10.6.8. Can I upgrade to Mountain Lion?

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