Is it worth upgrading to at least Lion instead of having Snow Leopard?

Right now I have Snow Leopard running on my computer. I had already downloaded Lion when I first bought my Macbook Pro, but it took nearly four hours to upgrade to Lion, and afterward my trackpad wasn't working anymore. I don't know if it had anything to do with the upgrade, but I didn't want to risk it. I'm used to using Corners to go to my screensaver, see the files I have open, see my spaces, and see the dashboard apps. How much better is Lion/Mountain Lion compared to Snow Leopard? Should I make the switch?

I don't know if they are "better" - they include new features which are not part of Snow Leopard. If you are not interested in the features, then don't install it - Snow Leopard is an excellent OS. I have both Lion and Mountain Lion installed on separate partitions and, personally, ignore some of the new features because I either don't need them or am simply not interested in them. I choose not to use iCloud because I do not trust an online server to keep my personal information safe - it'll be hacked into sooner or later. That is a rather important part of the new OS - the iCloud/automatic syncing capability - if you want to do that, you do need to install Lion. I also still maintain a bootable clone of Snow Leopard on an external partition because I use a PPC application occasionally - those are no longer supported in Lion, so if you have any, check that first.

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Upgraded both computers in the household and found Lion is too disruptive to workflow. Do I turn in the new laptop for a pre-Lion rebuild to keep Snow Leopard, or do I return computer and get upgraded memory to improve performance of existing MacBookPro?

Upgraded both computers in the household and found Lion is too disruptive to workflow.
Do I turn in the new laptop for a pre-Lion rebuild to keep Snow Leopard, or do I return new computer and get upgraded memory to improve performance of existing MacBookPro? I'm mostly still happy with existing MacBookPro, but Aperture doesn't work, the computer can't handle it.
Other possibility is setting up virtual machine with Snow Leopard server software on new computer.
Any opinions on what would allow moving forward with the least hassle and best workflow continuity?

hi,
what year and specs does the MBP have

I currently have OS X Leopard on a macbook. No where in the entire currently that I live stocks Snow Leopard in order to upgrade. So can anyone tell me how I am supposed to upgrade to Lion without access to Snow Leopard? arrrrgg! Thanks

I currently have OS X Leopard on a macbook. No where in the entire country that I live stocks Snow Leopard in order to upgrade. So can anyone tell me how I am supposed to upgrade to Lion without access to Snow Leopard first? arrrrgg! Thanks

If by "posted to you" you mean shipped, yes. Usually UPS or FedEx is used by Apple. Note that you may need to access the Online Store that's for your country. If you are not in the US then you cannot purchase it for shipment outside of the US. You can use this link to find the store that serves your country: Change Country. You will find it at the bottom of the Online Store page.

How do I uninstall OS Lion and revert to Snow Leopard

Hi all, I need to use Microsoft Office Mac Version in my work. And OS X Lion don't support that. I am desparate to know how do I unistall the OS X Lion, and revert to Snow Leopard so that I can resume working on my MacBook Pro. Please help.....

MS Office for mac 2004 is indeed incompatible I believe but 2008 onwards isn't. You should consider upgrading your MS Office to be compatible. Apple is not responsible for making 3rd party software compatible with its OS, its the 3rd party developers who updates their softwares and drivers.
You can certainly revert back to Lion BUT it depends what type of machine do you have?Did you purchase Lion as an upgrade?is your machine Lion preinstalled?

Why can't I upgrade to yosemite? I'm currently running snow leopard on my white macbook.

Why can't I upgrade to yosemite? I'm currently running snow leopard on my white macbook.

White MacBooks are NOT eligible to upgrade to either 10.8 Mounain Lion, 10.9 Mavericks or 10.10 Yosemite.
You maybe able to upgrade your white MacBook to OS X 10.7 Lion
OS X Lion system requirements
To use 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
You can purchase a OS X 10.7 Download code here.
http://store.apple.com/us/product/D6106Z/A/os-x-lion
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.
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 this 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 download OS X 10.7 Luon from the Mac App Store icon in the OS X Dock and then login to the Mac App Store using your Apple ID and password.
You can then begin the download and installation process by using the paid download code to Download and install OS X 10.7 Lion rom the Mac App Store.
Good Luck!

I want to upgrade from OS X 10.5.8 to Snow Leopard. When trying to back-up to a WD 1 TB external drive, the back-up process stalls at about 4 GB. Grateful for any clues to assist with the backup issue please.

I want to upgrade from OS X 10.5.8 to Snow Leopard, then to Lion. When trying to back-up to a WD 1 TB external drive, the back-up process stalls at about 4 GB download. I would be very grateful for any clues to assist with the back-up process please.

That disk is very probably formated as FAT 32, the normal format for PCs. FAT 32 cannot support files larger than 4 GB; also, it corrupts some types of Mac OS files. If you want to securely backup your mac files, you must have a disk prepared for Mac OS.
Therefore, open Disk Utility, choose again 1 partition for your external disk and, under Options, GUID partition map (it may also be a boot disk for an intel mac), then format it as Mac OS Extended Journaled. Y0u are done.
If you want to exchange data with PCs, you should chose Master Boot REcord and NTFS format, for this you must use a additional utility like NTFS-3G. But note that mac files may also get corrupt in NTFS format.

Two previous questions may not have been as clear as I would have liked. I recently upgraded my MacBook 2008 (10.5.8) to Snow Leopard (10.6.8). With the updates came iTunes 11.1.1 and Quicktime 7.6.6. I am still using Garageband 2008 and iPhoto 2008. When

Two previous questions may not have been as clear as I would have liked. I recently upgraded my MacBook 2008 (10.5.8) to Snow Leopard (10.6.8). With the updates came iTunes 11.1.1 and Quicktime 7.6.6. I am still using Garageband 2008 and iPhoto 2008. When I create music in Garageband I usually adjust the volume and save it. Even now when I share the Garageband created files with iTunes 11.1.1, the volime I previously set in Garageband is retained. However, when I use the music to create a slide show in iPhoto 2008 and export to Quicktime 7.6.6, the volume level I previously set is lost and seems to default to a low level. The problem seems to be either in the slide show export from iPhoto 2008 to Quicktime 7.6.6 or in Quicktime itself. Is there a work around, so that I can retain the volume level I had previously set in Garageband, a volume level that seems to transfer without problem to the new iTunes. But then iPhoto 2008 (slide show) possibly or Quicktime 7.6.6 do not cooperate. Before I did the upgrade to Snow Leopard, the new iTunes and Quicktime I had no problems with the set volume being retained in the old Quicktime. The reason I need control over the volume is that all these music files are uploaded to YouTube.

Two previous questions may not have been as clear as I would have liked. I recently upgraded my MacBook 2008 (10.5.8) to Snow Leopard (10.6.8). With the updates came iTunes 11.1.1 and Quicktime 7.6.6. I am still using Garageband 2008 and iPhoto 2008. When I create music in Garageband I usually adjust the volume and save it. Even now when I share the Garageband created files with iTunes 11.1.1, the volime I previously set in Garageband is retained. However, when I use the music to create a slide show in iPhoto 2008 and export to Quicktime 7.6.6, the volume level I previously set is lost and seems to default to a low level. The problem seems to be either in the slide show export from iPhoto 2008 to Quicktime 7.6.6 or in Quicktime itself. Is there a work around, so that I can retain the volume level I had previously set in Garageband, a volume level that seems to transfer without problem to the new iTunes. But then iPhoto 2008 (slide show) possibly or Quicktime 7.6.6 do not cooperate. Before I did the upgrade to Snow Leopard, the new iTunes and Quicktime I had no problems with the set volume being retained in the old Quicktime. The reason I need control over the volume is that all these music files are uploaded to YouTube.

How do i set up a new lion imac from a snow leopard imac using time machine?

How do i set up a new lion imac from a snow leopard imac using time machine?

Connect the two via Firewire cable - Transferring files between two computers using FireWire. Boot the old iMac into Target Disk Mode. Boot the new iMac normally.
If you are starting the new iMac for the first time then do the above before you turn on the new iMac. After you turn on the new iMac you will begin in the Setup Assistant. When you complete the registration screens you will be offered an opportunity to migrate your data from another Mac. Follow the instructions to migrate your old Home folder, third-party applications and support files, and system preferences to the new iMac.
If you have already gone through the Setup Assistant and created an initial admin user account, then you do the connection step but will use Migration Assistant in the Utilities folder of the new iMac.

How does one un-install Lion and revert to Snow Leopard?

Anyone know how to un-install Lion and revert to Snow Leopard?

Downgrade Lion to Snow Leopard
1. Boot from your Snow Leopard Installer Disc. After the installer loads select your language and click on the Continue button. When the menu bar appears select Disk Utility from the Utilities menu.
2. After DU loads select your hard drive (this is the entry with the mfgr.'s ID and size) from the left side list. Note the SMART status of the drive in DU's status area. If it does not say "Verified" then the drive is failing or has failed and will need replacing. SMART info will not be reported on external drives. Otherwise, click on the Partition tab in the DU main window.
3. Under the Volume Scheme heading set the number of partitions from the drop down menu to one. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Click on the Options button, set the partition scheme to GUID then click on the OK button. Click on the Partition button and wait until the process has completed.
4. Quit DU and return to the installer. Install Snow Leopard.
This will erase the whole drive so be sure to backup your files if you don't have a backup already. If you have performed a TM backup using Lion be aware that you cannot restore from that backup in Snow Leopard. I suggest you make a separate backup using Carbon Copy Cloner 3.4.1.

I downloaded Mountain Lion from being on Snow Leopard and lost my entire Office 2004 suite, including Entourage which was my main email server. If I download Office 2008, will I retrieve all my lost Entourage email folders?

I downloaded Mountain Lion from being on Snow Leopard and lost my entire Office 2004 suite, including Entourage which was my main email server. If I download Office 2008, will I retrieve all my lost Entourage email folders?
Other options?

It's not that simple. You didn't lose your Office 2004 suite. Office 2004 won't run in Mountain Lion. You need to update your Office software. You need to purchase either Office 2008 or 2011. Either one can run in Mountain Lion.

I just downloaded and installed mountain lion on my macbook pro but it didn't change the picture on desktop to mountain lion in is still snow leopard is that supposed to be that way.

I just downloaded and installed mountain lion but it kept snow leopard on my screen is that supposed to happen or did i miss something?

Then you're good to go. Updating your OS doesnt change your desktop background, you can do that manually, if you wish.

Lion server not netbooting Snow Leopard image

I have a Lion server set up and I am trying to server Lion and Snow Leopard netboot images off of this singular server. I was able to create the Netboot images using SUI for both Lion and Snow Leopard. I dropped the Snow Leopard netboot image into the proper folder on the server yet it will not recognize that the Snow Leopard netboot image. Does anyone know how to get Lion server to recognize Snow Leopard image or if Snow Leopard images can be served from Lion Server?

Apologies if this seems overly simplistic, but just to be very sure: you say "only one Mac OS X is enabled". Enabling is an active process, you have to do it. I'm on vaca, so this is from memory, but I think in server admin, selecting netboot, then the far right icon which I think is settings gives you a sort of matrix of images. On that page is a list of tabs across the top - again I think it is labeled images and is the far right, but one of them gives a page where there is a check box for enabling images. you check that box and click save. you are able to see the image on that page, check the enable box, click save and yet it still is not enabled?

Mountain Lion Time Machine over Snow Leopard TM

Is it save to create a Mountain Lion Time Machine backup on an external hard drive with a Snow Leopard Time Machine backup? The TM Preference panel is showing "Oldest backup: None" and "Latest Backup: None". Will Mountain Lion erase the prior Snow Leopard TM backup? I don't want to lose my prior backups.

I intended to ask: "Is it SAFE....."

I have mac mini os x mountain lion can i put snow leopard on the partition

I have a mac mini os x mountain lion can i put snow leopard on the partition

on the same partition? no. you'll need to create another partition if you want to dual boot, and install SL there.

Worth upgrading to Mountain Lion or stick with Snow Leopard?

A few weeks ago some of you helped me navigate the pros/cons of buying a spanking new Imac vs a mid 2011 (I decided the 2011 was plenty worthy). I thank you for that, and now I want to ask: if I were to get a mid 2011 Imac, is it worth to upgrade to the latest OS, or is sticking with Snow Leopard (my current OS) fine?
I'm using some older software like FCP 6 and its associated suite of programs, and probably plenty of other applications I'm not thinking of at the moment, that I got back in '08 or so when I got the Imac I have now. I think I've heard that Lion/Mountain is a total overhaul of the OS compared to Snow Leopard, and that makes me wonder if there are compatibility issues/problems associated with trying to use these older pieces of software with the new OS. What are the super amazing benefits of Lion or Mountain Lion vs Snow Leopard? Are they worth it? Do the aforementioned issues exist? Thanks.

Someone else will need to answer your Time Machine question because I do not use it. It may work because it should port over all the applications, settings, etc. I was going on the assumption that you would be reinstalling your apps from scratch (I guess I thought that because that is what I did - I wanted as clean an install as possible). Anyway, TM should just transfer things - just remember, if any of those transferred apps have PPC installers and you get rid of your Snow Leopard machine, you'll never be able to reinstall them.
You might want to check these links (and by doing a search here on the forums, there'll be more):
https://discussions.apple.com/message/18179294#18179294
https://discussions.apple.com/message/16964725#16964725
https://discussions.apple.com/message/17434537#17434537

Is it worth upgrading to at least Lion instead of having Snow Leopard?

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