maperr1995

Q: How can I update my iMac 10.5.8 up to mavericks?

Okay so, I have an iMac OS X, bought it in 2006, and I wish to update it to Mavericks.

The problem I have, my Mac doesn't have the App Store, and the only way to get the App Store is to update the computer to Snow leopard. Do I really have to purchace Snow Leopardin order to get to Mavericks?

 

Please and Thanks

iMac, Mac OS X (10.5.8)

Posted on May 28, 2014 1:17 PM

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Q: How can I update my iMac 10.5.8 up to mavericks?

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Kappy,Solvedanswer

    Kappy Kappy May 28, 2014 1:17 PM in response to maperr1995
    Level 10 (271,760 points)
    Desktops
    May 28, 2014 1:17 PM in response to maperr1995

    A 2006 model cannot run Mavericks. It can run Snow Leopard and Lion.

     

    Upgrading to Snow Leopard

     

    You can purchase Snow Leopard through the Apple Store: Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard - Apple Store (U.S.). The price is $19.99 plus tax. You will be sent physical media by mail after placing your order.

     

    After you install Snow Leopard you will have to download and install the Mac OS X 10.6.8 Update Combo v1.1 to update Snow Leopard to 10.6.8 and give you access to the App Store. Access to the App Store enables you to download Mavericks if your computer meets the requirements.

     

         Snow Leopard General Requirements

     

           1. Mac computer with an Intel processor

           2. 1GB of memory

           3. 5GB of available disk space

           4. DVD drive for installation

           5. Some features require a compatible Internet service provider;

               fees may apply.

           6. Some features require Apple’s iCloud services; fees and

               terms apply.

     

    Upgrading to Lion

     

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

     

    You can purchase Lion at the Online Apple Store. 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.

  • by babowa,Helpful

    babowa babowa May 28, 2014 1:27 PM in response to maperr1995
    Level 7 (32,273 points)
    iPad
    May 28, 2014 1:27 PM in response to maperr1995

    Yes, unfortunately, that is the only way. $19.95 at the Apple store.

  • by maperr1995,

    maperr1995 maperr1995 May 28, 2014 1:28 PM in response to Kappy
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 28, 2014 1:28 PM in response to Kappy

    Alright, I really need to see if it was August 2006 or 2007... I'll still try with mavericks. I just don't feel like buying a new home computer. If I do, I'm selling this one back to Apple. But thank you, I do believe my computer meets most of the requirements, it's just the updates.

  • by babowa,

    babowa babowa May 28, 2014 1:35 PM in response to maperr1995
    Level 7 (32,273 points)
    iPad
    May 28, 2014 1:35 PM in response to maperr1995

    Here are the specs for the late 2006 (the 2007 also came with Tiger originally):

     

    http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/imac/specs/imac-core-2-duo-2.16-20-inch-sp ecs.html

     

    It very plainly states that it can run Lion, but nothing higher. The 2006 will only recognize 3 GB of RAM - Mavericks will NOT be happy running with less than 4 GB - and that is considered a recommended minimum; more is better. However, that Mac will happily run Snow Leopard with 2 GB.

     

    The mid 2007 can run Mavericks and supports up to 6 GB.

  • by MichelPM,

    MichelPM MichelPM May 28, 2014 1:35 PM in response to maperr1995
    Level 6 (14,211 points)
    iPad
    May 28, 2014 1:35 PM in response to maperr1995

    maperr1995 wrote:

     

    Alright, I really need to see if it was August 2006 or 2007... I'll still try with mavericks. I just don't feel like buying a new home computer. If I do, I'm selling this one back to Apple. But thank you, I do believe my computer meets most of the requirements, it's just the updates.

     

    FYI,

    Apple does NOT take trade-ins and you can't sell any thing back to Apple.

     

    Also, your Mac MUST meet ALL of the minimum requirements, not just some.

  • by Kappy,

    Kappy Kappy May 28, 2014 1:52 PM in response to maperr1995
    Level 10 (271,760 points)
    Desktops
    May 28, 2014 1:52 PM in response to maperr1995

    Here is the info for Mavericks:

     

    Upgrading to Mavericks

     

    You can upgrade to Mavericks from Lion or directly from Snow Leopard. Mavericks can be downloaded from the Mac App Store for FREE.

     

    Upgrading to Mavericks

     

    To upgrade to Mavericks you must have Snow Leopard 10.6.8 or Lion installed. Download Mavericks from the App Store. Sign in using your Apple ID. Mavericks is free. The file is quite large, over 5 GBs, so allow some time to download. It would be preferable to use Ethernet because it is nearly four times faster than wireless.

     

        OS X Mavericks- System Requirements

     

          Macs that can be upgraded to OS X Mavericks

     

             1. iMac (Mid 2007 or newer) - Model Identifier 7,1 or later

             2. MacBook (Late 2008 Aluminum, or Early 2009 or newer) - Model Identifier 5,1 or later

             3. MacBook Pro (Mid/Late 2007 or newer) - Model Identifier 3,1 or later

             4. MacBook Air (Late 2008 or newer) - Model Identifier 2,1 or later

             5. Mac mini (Early 2009 or newer) - Model Identifier 3,1 or later

             6. Mac Pro (Early 2008 or newer) - Model Identifier 3,1 or later

             7. Xserve (Early 2009) - Model Identifier 3,1 or later

     

    To find the model identifier open System Profiler in the Utilities folder. It's displayed in the panel on the right.

     

         Are my applications compatible?

     

             See App Compatibility Table - RoaringApps.

  • by maperr1995,

    maperr1995 maperr1995 Jun 2, 2014 3:00 PM in response to maperr1995
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 2, 2014 3:00 PM in response to maperr1995

    But what about the minor updates between snow leopard and Lion? or can i just jump from 10.6 to 10.7?

  • by Niel,

    Niel Niel Jun 2, 2014 3:02 PM in response to maperr1995
    Level 10 (314,303 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jun 2, 2014 3:02 PM in response to maperr1995

    Unless you have a 10.7 installation thumbdrive, you must go to at least 10.6.6 to be able to get the Mac App Store and Lion or above.

     

    (107611)

  • by maperr1995,

    maperr1995 maperr1995 Jun 4, 2014 8:37 AM in response to maperr1995
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 4, 2014 8:37 AM in response to maperr1995

    And the Apple Store doesn't have any in store anymore... the only way is to buy online.

  • by virginia car,

    virginia car virginia car Aug 10, 2014 11:34 AM in response to Kappy
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 10, 2014 11:34 AM in response to Kappy

    According to what I understand of the explanations on the possible updates, then if I have (which is the case), a MAcbook from 2007, 10.5.8 OS X, then I cannot use Mavericks? If so, what do i do to keep install Skype? Can anyone help me on this pleassee!!??

     

    Thanks !

    virginia

  • by babowa,

    babowa babowa Aug 10, 2014 11:40 AM in response to virginia car
    Level 7 (32,273 points)
    iPad
    Aug 10, 2014 11:40 AM in response to virginia car

    Here are the requirements for Mavericks:

     

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

     

    Your Macbook unfortunately does not meet the specs; you can only use a Skype version which is compatible with the OS version you are running. As long as it is working, there is no requirement to update it unless of course an update would add some functions which you'd want. In that case, you'd need to update the OS.

     

    Is this yours:

     

    http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/macbook/specs/macbook-core-2-duo-2.0-white -13-mid-2007-specs.html

     

    If yes, you could update to Lion (10.7) - make sure you'd have the 4 GB RAM as well.

  • by virginia car,

    virginia car virginia car Aug 10, 2014 11:54 AM in response to babowa
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 10, 2014 11:54 AM in response to babowa

    I have 2GB RAM, so i guess i cannot upgrade to lion , and as to the requirements for maverics, i cannot use that either.

    so what else is there to try out?

     

    i ve been downloading different  old versions of skype from oldapps for mac, but so far none has worked either.... should i continue trying out others?

     

    this programme has always worked perfectly well until a few days ago ...

     

    i ve already read that there is the possibility of an upgrade by purchasing it on apple store... is that so?

     

    this is giving me a headache! Thanks for your help !

     

    virginia

  • by babowa,

    babowa babowa Aug 10, 2014 1:15 PM in response to virginia car
    Level 7 (32,273 points)
    iPad
    Aug 10, 2014 1:15 PM in response to virginia car

    As for the RAM: officially, 2 GB is supported; although OWC has tested it to read 3 GB (you can install 4, but only 3 will be recognized). Lion simply needs more RAM and 4 has been considered the minimum. you can run it with 2, but depending on your workflow, you may encounter the beachball a lot.

     

    Another possibility would be to upgrade to Snow Leopard which is the OS version just before Lion - it is an excellent (although older) system and runs very well on 2 GB RAM. You can purchase the retail version on DVD at the Apple store:

     

    http://store.apple.com/us/product/MC573Z/A/mac-os-x-106-snow-leopard

     

    Lion is only available via download, but you purchase it at the Apple store as well and they would send you a redemption code so you can download it.

     

    Personally, considering the age of your machine, I'd stick with Snow Leopard - it's $20, no extra RAM to buy and it will also run your older apps whereas there were big changes with lion and you may find that some of your apps will no longer run. Check the Skype site for versions that'll work with 10.6 Snow leopard.