Is Snow Leopard worth a $129 upgrade?

I am looking to buy a MacBook Pro of some kind, probably with a Core2Duo Intel Proc. Some of them if they are used have Leopard, and some Snow Leopard. Only thing I know (and it's precious little) is that with Snow Leopard you can add the Mac App Store which I think would have some benefit. Are there many other benefits? Would Snow Leopard run any better/faster on say a 2.xGz Intel Core2Duo system? Would 4gb ram be enough or would 8gb really be needed?

More to the point; you don't need to spend $129 unless you want iLife '11 and iWork. The $29 10.6.x install disc will do the job perfectly well.
Having said that, I do find iWork very usefull and pretty **** good in spite of a few glaring ommissions still to be addressed.
4GB RAM should be perfectly adequate for most people; go for more if you do a lot of movie making and processing, or are heavily into audio production.
The App store requires 10.6.6, which you can update to from the basic installation with the combo update from the support page; http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1349
Opinion on the app store is somewhat divided, but no harm in trying it for yourself.
Whatever you get, if you're buying used, ensure that you get the original installation DVDs for the Mac in question. These contain all the original bundled software (iLife etc), Apple Hardware Test and optional installations such as Rosetta (for running legacy PPC apps like Appleworks). These DVDs are specific to the particular model they ship with, and the retail upgrade does not have the bundled software or hardware test.

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How do I erase my hard drive? My initial operating system was Snow Leopard but I have upgraded to Mavericks OS. My Snow Leopard install disk ejects when I try and use it.

How do I erase my hard drive? My initial operating system was Snow Leopard but I have upgraded to Mavericks OS. My Snow Leopard install disk ejects when I try and use it.

Do a backup, preferable 2 separate ones on 2 drives. Boot to the Recovery Volume (command - R on a restart or hold down the option/alt key during a restart and select Recovery Volume). Run Disk Utility Verify/Repair and Repair Permissions until you get no errors. Reformat the drive using Disk Utility/Erase Mac OS Extended (Journaled), then click the Option button and select GUID. Then re-install the OS.
OS X Recovery
OS X Recovery (2)
When you reboot, use Setup Assistant to restore your data.

How do I get my new Snow Leopard 10.6.3 upgrade to be 10.6.8?

Earlier today I backed up my leopard (on my new external hard drive, $89.99) and installed my new Snow Leopard upgrade (purchased from Apple for $19.99). They sent me 10.6.3, however, it looks like I need 10.6.8 to get the new itunes which was my reason for upgrading in the first place. My son got the ipod touch 5th generation ($225) which requires the new itunes. How do I get my new Snow Leopard 10.6.3 upgrade to be 10.6.8? The price tag is adding up quickly!

Here you go, http://support.apple.com/downloads/#Mac%20OS%20X%2010.6.8

HT1338 I am now running on OS X Snow Leopard. If I upgrade to Mountain Lion, will all my files and data and bought programs disappear?

I am now running on OS X Snow Leopard. If I upgrade to Mountain Lion, will all my files and data and bought programs disappear?

As Austin Kinsella1 says, it's a good idea to check your program versions.
I have found this site really helpful with that:
http://roaringapps.com/apps:table

So, to be able to use my new cameras with Aperture on my iMac with Snow Leopard I have to upgrade to Mountain Lion just to be able to read the RAW files?

Must I upgrade to Mountain Lion just to be able to use Aperture on my new cameras? I am using Snow Leopard now and have upgraded to Lion but didn't like it and didn't like that I was required to upgrade a couple of my other programs (Power PC stuff). Seems a bit of a rip off to me. I've just gotten a Canon 6D and have a Fuji X Pro 1, neither of which RAW files are readable by Aperture.

The RAW converter Aperture uses is part of OS X (and is, therefore, system-wide). Updates to the RAW converter are, effectively, OS updates. If that update is not available for your OS, then you cannot use it.
Darthfeeble wrote:
Must I upgrade to Mountain Lion just to be able to use Aperture on my new cameras?
Depends on your camera, but it is certainly possible.
The Fuji X-Pro1 sensor does not use a Bayer array. Afaik, there has never been a non-Bayer-array sensor camera supported by Apple.

Will buying snow leopard allow me to upgrade beyond 10.5.8 or am I stuck here

I'm trying to upgrade beyond 10.5.8 but its saying that I need atleast 10.6 first. Will snow leopard allow me to upgrade beyond it or am I stuck with this version?

When yo udo "About this Mac" rom your Apple menu, what does the resulting window say about your processor? Example below, the lower red arrow:

I have Logic Pro 8 on my Snow leopard macbook.Can I upgrade to Mountain Lion?

i have Logic Pro 8 on my Snow leopard macbook.Can I upgrade to Mountain Lion?

octopi wrote:
It's not a bug. Although Logic 8 will run under 10.7.x and 10.8.x the installer contains PPC code which simply does not run in 10.7.x, 10.8.x and 10.9. The app is fine, the installer is the issue.
Some research on this issue has led me to the conclusion that the commonly held conception that the installer has PPC code is flatly incorrect.
That misconception is due to the fact that the PowerPC dialog box is triggered by any attempt to launch the installer app.
The "bug" I reference triggers this dialog box; not PPC code within the Logic Pro 8 app.
At the end of the day, the result is the same: the installer app will NOT work in Mt. Lion without modification. I have been given a tip on how to make a modification that will allow an analogous program's installer app work in Mt. Lion, but since I do not have access to a copy of Logic Pro 8, I cannot test this theory.
So, yes, the best approach is to be sure it is fully installed before the upgrade!

Can i buy one snow leopard 10.6 and upgrade two mac?

can i buy one snow leopard 10.6 and upgrade two mac?

The Snow Leopard license that Apple sells only allows you to upgrade one Mac. If you want to upgrade more than one computer, you have to buy the Mac OS X Snow Leopard family pack > http://www.amazon.com/Snow-Leopard-Family-Pack-5-User/dp/B001AMPP0W

IPhone 3GS - Snow Leopard 10.6.3 Upgrade; iTunes Won't Recognize iPhone

I was just wondering if anyone else has encountered this problem, or something similar.
Today I purchased Snow Leopard 10.6.3 upgrade and everything went smoothly, but when I decided to plug my iPhone in to transfer some ringtones, my iTunes wouldn't recognize my iPhone. I was thinking it was because of my software upgrade, but I followed all the instructions about this issue that Apple gives but nothing's working.
Any suggestions?
Thanks in advance.

There was no separate install disk that came when I purchased my computer. I have gone into Disk Utility and hit the verify button and everything comes up ok. I don't think I've ever hit the repair disk button, though.
The various issues include: freezing at some point while I'm working on the Internet or in mail or using Kodak; the screen 'bleeds' as I scroll through (where the image smears as I scroll); there is an occasional line that shows up on my monitor, but usually goes away if I close an app like Mail or if I restart the computer.
I did add RAM in accordance with the instructions on the apple website and my computer was running great after that...no freezing and it was running so much faster. Prior to adding the RAM and having my drive wiped clean at the Genius Bar, it was really bad. I was constantly having to shut off the computer and turn it back on because it was constantly freezing or the screen would just go black as if it had shut off, though it was still on. They could not find anything wrong with the computer that would cause it to have those issues and that's why they decided to wipe it clean and load Leopard. Of course, that gave me a new host of issues, but it seemed to resolve once I upgraded the version of Leopard they put on.
Should I still do the repair disk?
And yes, the computer is working. Of course, I'm still on Leopard and not Snow Leopard...I don't know what happened with that.

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.

Neither software upgrade or Snow Leopard install disk will upgrade

Neither software upgrade or Snow Leopard install disk will upgrade
I run 10.5.5 and have tried to update my OSX using software upgrade and when I click install it greys out then a few seconds later it turns blue again and nothing happens.
So I purchased Snow Leopard hoping that would fix the problem. Well I insert the DVD and click install Snow Leopard, same thing, I click the blue install button, turns grey then a few seconds later turns blue again and nothing happens so I CANNOT UPGRADE!!
Anyone have some advice where to start?

Hi eastwooddesign;
Upgrading to fix problems usually doesn't succeed and generally make them worst.
Exactly what Snow Leopard disk do you have?
Did you boot from that DVD?
Allan

I have an older 13" macbook with snow leopard, I want to upgrade to the newest mountain lion, can i just purchase and instal?

I have an older 13" macbook with snow leopard, I want to upgrade to the newest mountain lion, can i just purchase and instal?

Upgrade Paths to Snow Leopard, Lion, and/or Mountain Lion
You can upgrade to Mountain Lion from Lion or directly from Snow Leopard. Mountain Lion can be downloaded from the Mac App Store for $19.99. To access the App Store you must have Snow Leopard 10.6.6 or later installed.
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 Mountain Lion 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 Mountain Lion, it may still meet the requirements to install Lion.
You can purchase Lion by contacting Customer Service: Contacting Apple for support and service - this includes international calling numbers. 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 Mountain Lion
To upgrade to Mountain Lion you must have Snow Leopard 10.6.8 or Lion installed. Purchase and download Mountain Lion from the App Store. Sign in using your Apple ID. Mountain Lion is $19.99 plus tax. The file is quite large, over 4 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 Mountain Lion - System Requirements
       Macs that can be upgraded to OS X Mountain Lion
         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.
     For a complete How-To introduction from Apple see Upgrade to OS X Mountain Lion.

Snow Leopard 10.6.3 upgrade issues.. I run the full install and my computer restarts to complete the installation, but when it restarts the software has not upgraded. Any suggestions?

I've tried to upgrade to Snow Leopard 10.6.3. I run the full install and my computer restarts to complete the installation, but when it restarts the software has not upgraded. Any suggestions?

Are you booting from the retail disc to do the installation, or running it while booted from Macintosh HD?
It should work either way, but it doesn't always work when booted from Macintosh HD. The system files are supposed to be moved into place during the restart (while the HD is unmounted) making for a long restart time which sometimes causes people to think somethings wrong and abort it. Which is a bad move.
If you're booting from the retail disc it's less obvious what the problem may be; however if you've tried it from booted from the HD and it's failed, then tried booting from the disc, it will fail again because the system components are already on the HD in a disc image waiting to be moved into place.
Whichever way you were tryig, I'd try downloading OmnDiskSweeper (it's free) and using it to see if there's a large package (around 7-10 GB) lurking somewhere that may contain the installer files. If you do, you'll need to trash that before the installer will see a 'clean' system again.
It's also worth asking how much free space you have on your HD - if there's not enough for the installer to use for the temporary package or dmg, it'll fail.
Was there no warning dialogue after the unsuccessful install?
Message was edited by: noondaywitch ; link added

Time Machine: Missing Snow Leopard backups after Lion Upgrade.

I regulary use Time Machine for backups to my WD drive through my network. After I upgraded to Lion I could not back up to my network drive I learned through various forums that my WD drive required a firmware update, to work with Lion. I upgraded the firmware and now I no longer have my Time Machine backups from Snow Leopard, only backups from Lion, any idea how I can locate my Snow Leopard backups?

Pondini wrote:
I'd be the first to agree that keeping two sets of backups, one a "clone," is prudent.
But if you have a Snow Leopard clone, then upgrade to Lion, the next time you update the clone you'll lose the Snow Leopard version entirely.
Yes, I was caught out early, so I have a selection of backup drives now to keep everything backed up as safely as possible. Although at the moment, I'm not seeing any reason to go back to Snow Leopard, and all my media is safe. Hopefully in the near future my SL backups can go and I can get ready for the next OS when it comes along.
Thanks

Can i use someone else's Snow Leopard boot disk to upgrade my mac?

I am unfortunately at that stage in life where as a teenager i have many lusts and "needs" but have hit the road block... money.
I have enough to buy lion through the appstore but have not got enough to first upgrade to Snow Leopard and THEN Lion as well.
If my dad has a Snow Leopard boot disk with his mac, can i use it to upgrade mine and then go on to buy Lion through the Mac Appstore?
Thanks!

No for possibly two reasons ... First, that's illegal as it's a violation of the Apple license agreement, and second, boot disks are locked to the system type they are delivered with. Ask your Dad instead how you can earn $29 doing some chores around the house, or let the word get out that for any holiday gifts in December that cash would be appreciated.
Since you're on Leopard today, you probaby know in wanting to move to Lion that Lion no longer has the Rosetta emulator and thus doesn't support anything with PowerPC code. That's surprised some, so just FYI.

Is Snow Leopard worth a $129 upgrade?

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