Q: Install Mavericks on a 2005 iMac running Snow Leopard

I am trying to install another application that requires OS X Mavericks on my iMac. The system requirements for Mavericks say I need a 2007 iMac model or later.

My iMac is early 2006 and has the following spec, which other than age seem to meet the Mavericks requirements (I upgraded the RAM to install Snow Leopard)

Processor Name: Intel Core Duo

Processor Speed: 1.83 GHz

Number Of Processors: 1

Total Number Of Cores: 2

L2 Cache: 2 MB

Memory: 2 GB

Bus Speed: 667 MHz

Can I do any damage trying to install Mavericks?

I have a time machine backup, but not really sure how to use it if I have a problem.

iMac (17-inch Early 2006), Mac OS X (10.6.8)

Posted on Jul 30, 2014 11:35 AM

I have this question too

Q: Install Mavericks on a 2005 iMac running Snow Leopard

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by Niel,Helpful

Niel Jul 30, 2014 11:38 AM in response to beachcomber45
Level 10 (314,466 points)

Mac OS X

Jul 30, 2014 11:38 AM in response to beachcomber45

The Mac App Store won’t allow Mavericks to be downloaded on that computer.

(110249)
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by sberman,

sberman Jul 30, 2014 11:39 AM in response to beachcomber45
Level 8 (41,031 points)

Jul 30, 2014 11:39 AM in response to beachcomber45

You cannot do any damage trying to install Mavericks ... however, you cannot possibly succeed!

See:
OS X Mavericks: System Requirements

If you try to succeed by fooling around with Apple's internal data structures, then indeed you can and will do damage.
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by babowa,Helpful

babowa Jul 30, 2014 11:42 AM in response to beachcomber45
Level 7 (32,357 points)

iPad

Jul 30, 2014 11:42 AM in response to beachcomber45

The hardware requirements will not allow the install of Mavericks; besides, 2 GB of RAM will not make for a happy computing experience, especially on a processor this age (additionally, it appears you only have a core duo, rather than a Core 2 Duo).

If this is yours:

http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/imac/specs/imac_cd_1.83_17.html

the highest you can go is Snow leopard.
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Q: Install Mavericks on a 2005 iMac running Snow Leopard

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