Advice on early 2009

If it will do what you need it to in Snow, then no point in upgrading to Mountain Lion. You should also know that there is no support for any older PPC apps in ML. They won't run there.

But I would definitely upgrade to Snow from Leo. Make sure you have a backup before doing so.

Also want to upgrade from Adobe CS3 and not sure which version to upgrade to, Cloud or CS6.

Cloud?

EDIT: Oh, I see, it's this

http://www.adobe.com/products/creativecloud.html

I have no idea. Someone else will have to weigh in on this one.

Message was edited by: WZZZ

What is a PPC ?

Power PC, the processor which used to be used in Macs until it was replaced by one from Intel around 2006. You can still run those older applications which were first developed for that processor in Snow Leopard.

I've asked for some help for the Cloud question, but FWIW

http://www.wired.com/wiredenterprise/2013/05/adobe-creative-cloud-petition/

From another forum with a direct reply to your question.

The problem the OP will run into, running either Creative Cloud or CS6, is not enough VRAM. Either needs 512MB's minimum, & that machine only supports 256MB's. If the OP still decides to go this route, doesn't matter if CC or CS6, I would recommend upgrading RAM to 8GB's(4GB's is not enough to run CS6), purchase SL, then upgrade to Mavericks.

Regarding CC vs CS6...well, Adobe has decided to go to a subscription based model. Not my cup of tea, I'd recommend he/she purchase CS6.

And, by the way, it's not clear that Mountain Lion is available any longer. It's not in the App Store now that Mav is out, and it may or may not be available by calling Apple and paying for a code by which to download it.

Both Lion and Mt Lion are still available from the Online Apple Store (Not the Mac App Store). you buy it at the Online Apple Store using your Apple ID and a redemption code is sent to your Apple ID email address to download it from the Mac App Store.

WZZZ wrote:

From another forum with a direct reply to your question.

And, by the way, it's not clear that Mountain Lion is available any longer. It's not in the App Store now that Mav is out, and it may or may not be available by calling Apple and paying for a code by which to download it.

For the software you want to run you would be better off setting that 2009 model aside and buying a new system. Just my opinion on the subject.

Yeah, you can get it from the Mac App Store once you're in Snow. I haven't installed Mav, so can't really give an informed answer. It might make more efficient use of memory/RAM.

Looks like CS3 is compatible. EDIT: But you should check compatibility for any other apps you must continue to use. You can check compatibility from http://roaringapps.com/

http://helpx.adobe.com/x-productkb/global/mac-os-mavericks-compatability.html

But one caveat: I wouldn't jump right in until Apple has released a few point updates that clear any known bugs or issues.

Another caveat, don't upgrade until you have a known reliable backup on an external drive, preferably a clone (easiest to restore, if necessary.) If you don't, you'll have no way of going back with all your user data, if it disappoints

Try out Snow for a while; as I said earlier, if it does what you need it to, then no point in upgrading. Well, only point might be when it becomes clear that Apple is no longer supporting it for security. And that may be sooner rather than later.

Here's an extensive, detailed review of Mav.

http://arstechnica.com/apple/2013/10/os-x-10-9/

From what I can see, it adds a lot more iOS-like features, which I have no use for. And I wouldn't put one bit of my data in iCloud. I don't trust that in anyone elses hands but my own.

And see

http://www.macworld.com/article/2052602/get-your-mac-ready-for-mavericks-os-x-10 -9.html

Yes you can for free but I suggest you don't. Mavericks is very resource hungry which will slow that 4 year old iMac down. This will be very noticeable especially upgrading from Snow Leopard.

Only benefit is having access to iCloud if you need that. Other than that there aren't many Pluses going to Mavericks.

Kath1965 wrote:

Can I upgrade right from SL to Mavericks?

What would the benefit of running Mavs over SL be?

Thanks again.

The only way to do a clean install of Mavericks is to create a second Mac OS X partition, formatted Mac OS Extended (Journaled), and then install Mavericks into that partition.

Since Mavericks is only available from the Mac App Store and only if you have Snow Leopard 10.6.7 or above installed on your hard drive you can't just wipe the drive and expect to then somehow download Mavericks to install it.

You could make a USB thumb drive of the Mavericks download and then wipe the drive and use that USB thumb to do the install. But that might be slightly over your head

Kath1965 wrote:

and one more question...

I guess I should do a clean install?

I have never done this before.

there was a clean install of Leopard done when I got this machine recently.

can you provide me a good link so I can do the clean install on my own?

I dont have anything on the machine to back up as I really just got it from someone.

thank you!

Oh yes that would be a good idea. One question?

Do you have the original system discs for your iMac? If not you should order a Replacement set from Apple as at some point you will need them. They have the iLife apps included which aren't with the retial Snow Leopard upgrade DVD. Without those original system discs you won't be able to install any of the iLife apps without buying them from the Mac App Store and not all of them are still available. iDVD and iWeb are no longer offered by Apple for for purchase. But once installed from the orignal system discs you can update them to the most current versions for free.