I have Mac OS X 10.5.8 (9L31a) installed, should I upgrade to Yosemite?

Hi All,
I have Mac OS X 10.5.8 (9L31a) installed, should I upgrade to Yosemite?

Before embarking on a major OS upgrade, it would be wise, advisable and very prudent if you backup your current system to an external connected and Mac formatted Flash drive OR externally connected USB, Thunderbolt or FireWire 800, Mac formatted hard drive. Then, use either OS X Time Machine app to backup your entire system to the external drive OR purchase, install and use a data cloning app, like CarbonCopyCloner or SuperDuper, to make an exact and bootable copy (clone) of your entire Mac's internal hard drive. This step is really needed in case something goes wrong with the install of the new OS or you simply do not like the new OS, you have a very easy way/procedure to return your Mac to its former working state.
Then, determine if your Mac meets ALL minimum system install requirements.
Mac OS X v10.6 Snow Leopard system requirements
Purchased Installer disc here
http://store.apple.com/us/product/MC573Z/A/mac-os-x-106-snow-leopard
To install Snow Leopard for the first time, you must have a Mac with:
An Intel processor
An internal or external DVD drive, or DVD or CD Sharing
At least 1 GB of RAM (additional RAM is recommended)
A built-in display or a display connected to an Apple-supplied video card supported by your computer
At least 5 GB of disk space available, or 7 GB of disk space if you install the developer tools.
OS X 10.7 Lion system requirements
Purchased emailed download code here.
http://store.apple.com/us/product/D6106Z/A/os-x-lion
To use OS X 10.7 Lion, make sure your computer has the following:
An Intel Core 2 Duo, Core i3, Core i5, Core i7, or Xeon processor
Mac OS X v10.6.6 or later to install via the Mac App Store (v10.6.8 recommended)
7 GB of available disk space
2 GB of RAM
To install OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion, 10.9 Mavericks (free upgrade, but currently unavailable) or OS X 10.10 Yosemite (currently available free upgrade) you need one of these Macs:
OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion purchased emailed download code here.
http://store.apple.com/us/product/D6377Z/A/os-x-mountain-lion
iMac (Mid-2007 or later)
MacBook (13-inch Aluminum, Late 2008), (13-inch, Early 2009 or later)
MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid-2009 or later),
MacBook Pro (15-inch or 17-inch, Mid/Late 2007 or later)
MacBook Air (Late 2008 or later)
Mac mini (Early 2009 or later)
Mac Pro (Early 2008 or later)
Xserve (Early 2009)
Your Mac also needs:
OS X Mountain Lion, Lion, or Snow Leopard v10.6.8 already installed
2 GB or more of memory (I strongly advise, at least, 4 GBs of RAM or more)
8 GB or more of available space
Next,
If you run any older Mac software from the earlier PowerPC Macs, then none of this software will work with the newer OS X versions (10.7 and onward). OS X Snow Leopard had a magical and invisible PowerPC emulation application, called Rosetta, that worked seamlessly in the background that still allowed older PowerPC coded software to still operate in a Intel CPU Mac.
The use of Rosetta ended with OS X Snow Leopard as the Rosetta application was licensed to Apple, from a software company called Transitive, which got bought out, I believe, by IBM and Appe could no longer secure their rights to continue to use Rosetta in later versions of OS X.
So, you would need to check to see if you have software on your Mac that maybe older than, say, 2006 or older.
Also, check for app compatibilty here.
http://roaringapps.com/
If you have any commercial antivirus installed and/or hard drive cleaning apps installed on your Mac, like MacKeeper, CleanMyMac, TuneUpMyMac, MacCleanse, etc. now would be a good time to completely uninstall these apps by doing a Google search to learn how to properly uninstall these types of apps.
These types of apps will only cause your Mac issues later after the install of the new OS X version and you will have to completely uninstall these types of apps later.
Once you have determined all of this, you should be able to find the latest versions of OS X by clicking on the Mac App Store icon in the OS X Dock and then login to the Mac App Store using your Apple ID and password and if you purchased a download code, input that code.
You can then begin the download and installation process of installing the newer versions of OS X from the Mac App Store.
Good Luck!

Similar Messages

With an older Mac Book running OS X 10.6.8 should I upgrade to Yosemite?

Want to upgrade my OS with my older Mac Book Pro running OS X 10.6.8 should I upgrade to Yosemite or something older like Lion or Maverick. Will my computer handle the newest OS?

Check that your computer is compatible with Mountain Lion/Mavericks/Yosemite.
To check the model number hold down the option/alt key, go to the Apple menu and select System Information.
MacBook Pro (Mid/Late 2007 or newer) model number 3,1 or higher
Your Mac needs:
OS X v10.6.8 or OS X Lion already installed
2 GB or more of memory (More is better - 4 GB minimum seems to be the consensus)
8 GB or more of available space
Check to make sure your applications are compatible. PowerPC applications are no longer supported after 10.6.
Application Compatibility
Applications Compatibility (2)
Do a backup before installing.
The 2 places I’ve seen recommended most to buy reliable RAM are below. I have purchased RAM several times from Other World Computing and have always been very satisfied with the product and service. They have on-line instructions on how to replace the RAM. OWC has also tested RAM above what Apple states is the maximum. I now have 6GB installed on a machine supposedly limited to 4 GB.
Crucial
Other World Computing

I have mac book pro - OSX 10.6.8. Should i upgrade to Mountain Lion?

I've never changed operating systems for my Mac Book. Is it a good idea? Why or why not?

What model of MB do you have? Why do you want to upgrade?
Before upgrading consider:
Don't upgrade if you are in the midst of important work. Wait until you have finished.
If you are having problems with your computer get them sorted out before you upgrade.
Verify that any mission critical software will be compatible with the upgrade.
Apple - OS X Mountain Lion - Read the technical specifications.
Macs that can be upgraded to OS X Mountain Lion
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)
Are my applications compatible?
See App Compatibility Table - RoaringApps - App compatibility and feature support for OS X & iOS.

I have Mac OS X 10.5.8. How do I upgrade to Snow Leopard to upgrade to Mountain Lion?

I have Mac OS X 10.5.8. How do I upgrade to Snow Leopard to upgrade to Mountain Lion?

Your machine is likely too dated to run 10.8 at all , or if it does will run slow.
It won't run your PPC based software or hardware drives for external hardware.
10.6 will run your PPC software and likely is best for that machine performance speaking, Software Update to 10.6.8 and stay there.
You better do your research first.
Things to consider before upgrading OS X
Or else get this
Why is my computer slow?
and then have to do this
How to erase and install Snow Leopard 10.6
or this
How to revert your Mac to Snow Leopard
but before you do anything, you really need to do this
Most commonly used backup methods

I have Mac Pro with Keynote and other essentials installed. How can I download the same on my IPAD without paying to download.

I have Mac Pro with Keynote and other essentials installed. How can I download the same on my IPAD without paying to download.

Try downloading them onto the iPad normally. If you're asked to pay for them, you can't.
The developer needs to create the two versions separately.
(116544)

I have Mac using OS X 10.5.8 and need to upgrade, my book has freezing up a lot also.

I have Mac using OS X 10.5.8 and need to upgrade, my book has freezing up a lot also what can i do as far as instalation of a newer software

you might want to check your battery. my MacBook was freezing up a lot too. and just this morning wouldn't even start. tho it was plugged in. fooled around with the plug, still no go.
Checked battery. fully charged.
took it out, and it wouldn't go back in, then noticed there's a slight bulge on the inside.
This is definitely not good.
So plugged it in without the battery. started up fine. and has not frozen yet. while looking for battery replacements on eBay. for hours now. lots of really inexpensive replacemnt ones.
if that is your problem, check seller's reliability first.

I have a 24-inch Mid 2007 iMac. Should I upgrade to Yosemite?

I have a 24-inch Mid 2007 iMac. Should I upgrade to Yosemite? I was advised by genius bar that it would slow down my iMac.

According to sources such as http://mactracker.ca download database specs for
the iMac (24-inch Mid 2007) your computer can use more RAM than it has now.
Maximum Memory: 6.0 GB (Actual) 4.0 GB (Apple)
Memory Slots: 2 - 200-pin PC2-5300 (667MHz) DDR2 SO-DIMM
•iMac: How to remove or install memory
And so it should work better even if you stay with Mountain Lion OS X 10.8.5.
The hardware upgrade will help the Mac OS + applications, in basic functions.
[This computer is already considered 'vintage' by Apple...]
Depending on the amount of use the computer has seen so far, it may also be
a candidate for a replacement hard disk drive; perhaps a larger capacity, too.
If you consider an upgrade, also consider a complete backup and a bootable
clone of the current (if updated to 10.8.5 with its applications updated) OS X
on an externally enclosed hard disk drive with its own power supply. You can
see a few of these that do not run on Mac port power, & standalone, at OWC.
{The company known as OWC is macsales.com, a fair example of mac-centric
supplier of quality products for Mac community, awhile. Or so people tell me.}
Clone utilities such as superduper, carboncopy cloner, or disk utility can work.
Test a cloned OS X copy for boot-ability and other function before moving on.
Could be you'd be better off with this computer on Mt Lion than a later OS X.
And a newer later computer should also have hardware specs and some up-
ward expandability for use with the expected new & future changes to OS X.
Hopefully you can get some fair use and more years from your iMac 24".
And that means hope for the best, and plan for the worst. Backup, backup...
Good luck & happy computing!

I have a mid 2010 Macbook Pro running Snow Leopard and foolishly upgraded to Yosemite. Is it possible to go back in time with Time Machine and reinstall Snow Leopard. Then upgrade to Lion or Mavericks? Any other ideas on how I can exit Yosemite?

I have a mid 2010 Macbook Pro running Snow Leopard and foolishly upgraded to Yosemite. Now have numerous problems. Is it possible to go back in time with Time Machine and reinstall Snow Leopard? Then upgrade to Lion or Mavericks? Any other ideas on how I can exit Yosemite?

Once you get yourself back to Snow Leopard, if you still want to upgrade somewhat, I would suggest the following:
1. Get an external hard drive that you can use for experiments with new OS versions. You could partition it into 2 or 3 partitions. You could then clone your existing Snow Leopard system to one partition using Carbon Copy Cloner (well worth $40) or SuperDuper ($25).
2. Buy OS X Mountain Lion for $20, through the Apple online store (I don't think it's available through the App Store). Apple has decided to make it very difficult for anyone to get Mavericks unless they have already downloaded it.
You will receive two e-mails from Apple, one containing a PDF with a redemption code, and one with the password you will need to unlock the PDF. Using the code, you will download Mountain Lion from the App Store, where it will appear among your Purchased items.
After ML finishes downloading, its installer app will launch itself. When you see this launch screen, QUIT the install app immediately! Go to your applications folder, find the Install OS X Mountain Lion app, and copy it to a safe location outside of your Applications folder. Keeping one or more copies will allow you to reinstall without unnecessary aggravation if you later need or want to do that. At this point, you can re-launch the Installer in the Applications folder and let it run. You can install it on a clean partition on your external HD, or you can allow it to upgrade the Snow Leopard clone you created on your external drive, or you can do both. This should allow you to test how everything works for as long as you like.
3. If you left yourself a free partition on your test drive, try a clean install of Yosemite and set everything up from scratch (do not migrate anything). This will allow you to see whether your problems with it were related to something in your Snow Leopard system.

TA48312 I have mac osx 10.4.11 and I would like to upgrade to the next operating system however I can't find the upgrade can u help

I have a mac osx 10.4.11 and I would like to upgrade to 10.5 how do I do this please help

If you have an Intel Mac, purchase Mac OS X 10.6 from the online Apple Store. If you have a G4 or G5 Mac, purchase Mac OS X 10.5 from a site such as Amazon. If you have a G3 Mac, you don't.
Mac OS X 10.5 and 10.6 need to be purchased on a retail DVD. No downloads are available to the general public.
(64106)

I have Mac OS X 10.5.8. How can I upgrade to Snow Leopard?

I can't find any information here.
Any info would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

Your machine is likely too dated to run 10.8 at all , or if it does will run slow.
It won't run your PPC based software or hardware drives for external hardware.
10.6 will run your PPC software and likely is best for that machine performance speaking, Software Update to 10.6.8 and stay there.
You better do your research first.
Things to consider before upgrading OS X
Or else get this
Why is my computer slow?
and then have to do this
How to erase and install Snow Leopard 10.6
or this
How to revert your Mac to Snow Leopard
but before you do anything, you really need to do this
Most commonly used backup methods

HT6114 I have MAC OS X 10.5.8, do i need to upgrade, How?

Do I need to upgrade?
How to do I purchase?
To what version?

Do you need to upgrade? We sure wouldn't know. If you can do all you want to do now, then you don't need to upgrade.
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.
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.

I have Mac OS X 10.5.8. How can I upgrade the operating system?

I have a Mac OS X 10.5.8. How can I upgrade the operating system so I can get i Life 11?

You will need Snow Leopard which is available as a retail disk for $29 from the Apple store or online resellers. Make sure your Mac meets the system requirements; 1 GB RAM is the absolute minimum - 2 GB would be better.

I have Mac OS X, using boot camp i installed windows 7. installation was successful but when i try to select to boot back to mac os x via boot camp from Windows 7 control panel, its saying "You may not have privileges to change the startup disk..."

from the boot camp control panel, highlighted "Macintosh HD Mac OS X", click on Restart button or click OK or click Apply buttons gave me "An error occurred while trying to change the startup disk. You may not have privileges to change the startup disk. Make sure you have administrative privileges and try again."
Im logged in to Windows 7 as admin thou but still giving me the above message.
i rebooted & the option key does not give me option to boot to Mac instead gives me a screen with lock then below is a blank field then a right arrow on the right side, i normally hit the power button from this screen
please help
thx

sorry for digging up an old thread, but what was the problem?

I have Mac OS 10.5.8 and cannot install Google Chrome

I've read everywhere that you must have OS 10.5 or higher in order to install Google Chrome. I have OS 10.5.8 and have downloaded Google Chrome from various locations only to get the same result: "You cannot open the application “Google Chrome” because it is not supported on this architecture." Can anyone please let me in on the magical secret of how to install Google Chrome? ...or am I just doomed to not being able to use it with this OS?

Chrome will only run on an Intel Mac--your profile indicates that you have a G5, which is a PowerPC machine. If this is correct, you cannot install & run Google Chrome on that computer.
~Lyssa

HT1338 I have Mac OS X 10.5.8 (9L31a)

I need to update my software. I currently have OS X 10.5.8. What software do I need next to update my computer and where do I get it?

The next step is to buy a Mac OS X 10.6 DVD.
(96685)

I have Mac OS X 10.5.8 (9L31a) installed, should I upgrade to Yosemite?

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for