Attn: Mac Users - Help with upgrading OSX from 10.6.8 to 10.7, please?

[griswold]

So, I got my daughter a MacBook Pro for Xmas.

Her OSX is 10.6.8 (Snow Leopard) and it needs upgraded to OSX 10.7 (Lion).

1. It says I can download a $30 app to perform this. However, I wanted to check and see if I need to backup the data, etc.

2. For the backup, should I use the Timekeeper app to perform this?

3. It says to use an external HD for the backup, but can I use just any external HD? I have one but I don't know if it's MAc compatible.

4. Is there anything else to be concerned about with this upgrade.

I'm very knowledgeable with PC's and Windows, but I'm new to the MAC scene.

Thanks for your help.

[OaklandA's]

Gris, the OS upgrades usually run very smoothly, and you should not lose any data when upgrading. But it's always a good idea to have a backup, even if you're not upgrading the OS. Any external HD should work fine, as long as it's big enough. For backing up, you can use the Mac's built-in Time Machine, or just manually drag the folders you want to keep (Documents, Music, Pictures, etc.) to the external drive.

Edit: If you bought the Mac from Apple, the upgrade from Snow Leopard to Lion should be free.

http://www.apple.com/macosx/uptodate/

[JudeBaldo]

Gris, the OS upgrades usually run very smoothly, and you should not lose any data when upgrading. But it's always a good idea to have a backup, even if you're not upgrading the OS. Any external HD should work fine, as long as it's big enough. For backing up, you can use the Mac's built-in Time Machine, or just manually drag the folders you want to keep (Documents, Music, Pictures, etc.) to the external drive.

Edit: If you bought the Mac from Apple, the upgrade from Snow Leopard to Lion should be free.
http://www.apple.com/macosx/uptodate/

What Amit said.

But let me add that if your external HD is formatted for a specific Mac in that it is acting as the Time Machine backup, then it may not read on other Macs.

[griswold]

Gris, the OS upgrades usually run very smoothly, and you should not lose any data when upgrading. But it's always a good idea to have a backup, even if you're not upgrading the OS. Any external HD should work fine, as long as it's big enough. For backing up, you can use the Mac's built-in Time Machine, or just manually drag the folders you want to keep (Documents, Music, Pictures, etc.) to the external drive.

Edit: If you bought the Mac from Apple, the upgrade from Snow Leopard to Lion should be free.
http://www.apple.com/macosx/uptodate/

Thanks! However, since we bought the Mac in November, BUT gave it to my daughter on Xmas day and didn't think about upgrading until yesterday...we miss our 30 day window for a free upgrade. Sigh.

Thanks Jude for your input as well.

[DMT]

I'm also running Snow Leopard, is there any reason to upgrade to Lion?

[griswold]

I'm also running Snow Leopard, is there any reason to upgrade to Lion?

Well, they just realize an app called ibook author and I wanted to try it for my ebook that I'm working on and it says that you need to upgrade for it to work.

[cardboardbox]

weird that you have to pay, isnt this basically like a service pack for Windows?

[DMT]

weird that you have to pay, isnt this basically like a service pack for Windows?

Yea, that's what I was thinking.

[OaklandA's]

weird that you have to pay, isnt this basically like a service pack for Windows?

For the Mac, the first decimal upgrades are paid upgrades (10.4 (Tiger) -> 10.5 (Leopard) -> 10.6 (Snow Leopard) -> 10.7 (Lion)). There have 7 of these since 2001, or one about every year and a half. Some of these have been relatively cheap, like $29, but many people still choose not to upgrade. Most only do if there is some new feature that comes out that they want to try (like iBooks Author). The second decimal upgrades are more like service packs, and those are free.

[BuckyBuckner]

I think it's more than a service pack. There are some new features on Lion that aren't on Snow Leopard. I haven't upgraded yet but I keep meaning to. I read some not so hot reviews where it cause problems on slightly older Macs (mine is 2 1/2 years old). I don't think you'll need to worry about that Gris.

[cardboardbox]

For the Mac, the first decimal upgrades are paid upgrades (10.4 (Tiger) -> 10.5 (Leopard) -> 10.6 (Snow Leopard) -> 10.7 (Lion)). There have 7 of these since 2001, or one about every year and a half. Some of these have been relatively cheap, like $29, but many people still choose not to upgrade. Most only do if there is some new feature that comes out that they want to try (like iBooks Author). The second decimal upgrades are more like service packs, and those are free.

hmm, so basically Apple makes small updates to OSX, and charges a relatively small amount for it? And MS makes a big change with every new Windows but does it less frequently and charges a lot more for it. I'm not sure I prefer one over the other, just different.

[griswold]

I think it's more than a service pack. There are some new features on Lion that aren't on Snow Leopard. I haven't upgraded yet but I keep meaning to. I read some not so hot reviews where it cause problems on slightly older Macs (mine is 2 1/2 years old). I don't think you'll need to worry about that Gris.

Thanks guys! I appreciate the help.