Now that Apple has release to developer the golden master of Lion ( Mac OS X 10.7)—typically the final non - public rendering before the prescribed release — speculation is climb up as to when the next major version of OS X will polish off the street . But the favorable master mean something more important on a practical level : It ’s time to take off getting our Macsreadyfor Lion .
Apple is advertising Lion as the easy - to - install version of OS X yet , and that may be genuine . But there are still a few thing you could do in good order now to ensure that your Mac is quick for 10.7 when the update finally arrives .
What you need
To install Lion , you want a Mac with a minimum of 2 GB of RAM and one of the following Intel processors : Intel Core 2 Duo , i3 , i5 , i7 , or Xeon — other Intel - based Macs with Core Solo or Core Duo processors are n’t eligible . you may determine your Mac ’s processor and the amount of install RAM by choosing About This Mac from the Apple carte du jour and look at the Processor and Memory lines , respectively .
you may discipline your Mac ’s specs using the About This Mac windowpane .
The listing of Lion - eligible Macs includes most model release since belated 2006 . However , Macs with 4 G or more of RAM will surely function Lion better than those with only 2 Great Britain , so if your Mac presently has less than 4 GB , I recommend elevate to at least that much — and ideally even more , as you ’ll see benefits in many computing project . A word of advice here : If you do n’t buy your RAM immediately from Apple , be trusted you get RAM that ’s specifically designed for function in Macs . Some third - party random memory that ’s not up to Apple ’s specs will cause problems when you upgrade your OS . Most reputable marketer will make it clear which RAM they offer is made specifically for Macs .
You can check your Mac’s specs using the About This Mac window.
It ’s also a respectable idea to haveat least10 GB ( and preferably more ) of free blank on your startup drive . The Lion installer itself is almost 4 GB , plus you necessitate some room for temporary files . In addition , some of Lion ’s fresh feature film mean you ’ll need more “ everyday ” costless quad than you did under Snow Leopard . ( If you need to free up some space , utilities such as WhatSize and GrandPerspective can help you figure out what ’s filling up your thrust . )
Malus pumila ’s arrangement requirements also state that “ Some feature may have additional scheme requirements . ” We ’re assuming Apple is touch on to graphics cards , as some art - sound features necessitate more horsepower than the oldest Lion - compatible Macs provide . We ’ll update this clause with specific point as they become available , but it ’s dependable to say that the better your graphics card and the more dedicated memory it has , the well Lion will perform .
in the end , there ’s also a software program necessary for establish Lion : Your Mac must be running Snow Leopard ( Mac OS X 10.6 ) v10.6.6 or later . The main understanding for this requirement is that Lion will be useable only via the Mac App Store , and the Mac App Store debuted in Mac OS disco biscuit 10.6.6 . In improver , Apple recommends that you have thevery latestversion of Snow Leopard before installing Lion , so be sure to check Software Update for any uncommitted updates ( see“Pre - install checks , ” below ) .
Disk Utility can verify that your Mac’s drive is healthy.
( If your Mac is ladder Leopard [ Mac OS X 10.5 ] , stay tuned — our upcoming feature on install Lion will insure ways to instal 10.7 over Leopard , assuming you have the right to do so . )
As an divagation , although you’re able to use any traditional input machine with Lion , Lion ’s newsystemwide motion supportmakes a trackpad very , very useful . If you ’ve get a background Mac without a trackpad , you should believe fling on Apple ’s Magic Trackpad ( ) . I personally prefer a shiner or large trackball for everyday “ mousing , ” but I ’ve lend a Magic Trackpad to my setup just to take vantage of Lion ’s gesture - base features . ( On that topic , you may alsoget a head start out on acclimating yourself to Lion ’s new scrolling . )
Pre-install tasks
While Apple portray the mental process of upgrading to Lion as a childlike “ download and install , ” those of us who ’ve been around the pulley a few time know that a major OS update is never that unproblematic . execute these tasks before the upgrade and your chance of a pain - free experience will increase substantially .
Make certain your Mac ’s startup drive is in good wellness : To do so , open Disk Utility ( in / Applications / Utilities ) , take your inauguration effort , fall into place the First Aid tab , and then dawn Verify . If Disk Utility finds problems , you ’ll take to boot from a unlike volume to perform the existent repairs using the Repair Disk push button . If you ’ve got access to either your Snow Leopard put in videodisk or the OS decade instal DVD or thumb ride that shipped with your Mac , you’re able to practice that . Alternatively , once Lion is free , you may create a bootable Lion installer volume — stay tune up for those book of instructions — and bang from it , as the installer admit Disk Utility . If you ’re feeling especially cautious , you may also prefer torun Apple Hardware Test .
Disk Utility can affirm that your Mac ’s private road is respectable .
RoaringApps.com is compiling a user-contributed list of Lion software compatibility.
Back up your Mac , and test that backup man : Let me say that again : Back up your Mac , and test that substitute , beforeinstalling Lion . ( Seeour article on Mac backup plansfor more info on stake up your Mac . ) I in person recommend create a bootable - dead ringer backup — I use SuperDuper ( ) for the task , although a Time Machine backing will do as well . To test a clon or other bootable reliever , employ the Startup Disk Elvis of System Preferences to bring up from the backup drive . To test a Time Machine or other non - bootable substitute , try restoring several files to check that the process works .
Run Software Update : To to be sure you ’re course both the a la mode version of Mac OS X — version 10.6.8 , for example , included fixes specifically for the Mac App Store in grooming for Lion ’s release — and the latest edition of any other Apple software that might be involve by Lion , you should run Software Update ( from the Apple card ) . In fact , as of July 19 , 2011 , Software Update should pop the question up a newfangled Migration Assistant Update for Mac OS X Snow Leopard , which purportedly mend some hemipterous insect when migrating data from a Snow Leopard Mac to one running Lion . If you do n’t see this update , usethis link to download it manually . You should alsocheck for update firmware for your special Mac model .
Disable FileVault : If you ’re using FileVault , OS X ’s build up - in explanation - encoding feature film , on any of your Mac ’s story , I recommenddisablingFileVault before advance to Lion . Why ? For one matter , Lion utilize a different ( and allegedly novel - and - much - improved ) approach to encoding , and while Apple says you’re able to keep using the Snow Leopard carrying out for antecedently - encrypted user accounts , Lion ’s approach is likely the better way to go . Plus , I choose to not prove Murphy ’s Law by hazard any incompatibilities between the two versions of FileVault . Similarly , if you ’re using third - party disc encoding , you should probably invalid that before installing Lion .
Check for Lion - compatible update to third - party software : As with any major upgrade to Mac OS X , you ’ll likely regain that some of your third - political party software take to be update to forge with Lion . If you take some meter to check compatibilitybeforeinstalling Lion , you ’ll be in a position to get up and running at once , rather than being frustrated by your favored apps and add - ons not working . peculiarly useful for this undertaking is RoaringApps’growing list of Mac software package and Lion compatibility . ( This is one country where the Mac App Store shines : Launch the App Store app , snap the Updates release in the toolbar , and you’re able to update all your Mac App Store - purchased software package with a dog . )
RoaringApps.com is compile a user - contributed list of Lion computer software compatibility .
The cock-a-hoop wrongdoer — in terms of being mismated with Lion — will be programs and system add - ons that integrate with or whoop OS X at a low level . Kernel extensions , for example , are notorious for being incompatible with major unexampled versions of OS X , but you may also find that utilities that pluck the Finder , add - ons that raise Mail , and other plug - IN and “ foil ” wo n’t work under Lion . So be sure to chequer marketer website for Lion - compatible update for your best-loved package — including third - company System Preferences panes — beforeupgrading to Lion . If it release out that a particular bit of software is n’t compatible with Lion but does n’t have an update uncommitted , uninstall or disable it until a Lion - compatible rendering is free .
A big issue for some drug user will be honest-to-goodness Mac software program that has n’t been updated latterly — you may chance that it does n’t forge at all under Lion . Specifically , PowerPC programs — software that was never update to run natively on Macs with Intel processors — are dead in the urine . Under previous translation of Mac OS X , Apple provided software call Rosetta that appropriate PowerPC computer code to endure on Intel Macs . In Snow Leopard ( OS X 10.6 ) , Rosetta was no longer installed by default option , but OS X would proffer to download and install Rosetta if you essay to run a PowerPC program . With Lion , Apple has engage the last step : Rosetta is officially kaput . So if you ’ve got important PowerPC programs ( for instance , older version of Quicken for Mac are still surprisingly pop ) , you ’ll need to update those programs to Intel - processor edition , if available , before upgrade to Lion . If such update are n’t useable , you should incur acceptable choice , whether those are forward-looking Mac alternatives or , if need be , Windows versions that you may function under Boot Camp or virtualization software such as Parallels or Fusion . ( See my fellow Christopher Breen’sseriesofarticleson Lion and PowerPC software . )
How can you tell which of your applications are PowerPC programs ? The easiest way is to launch System Profiler ( in / Applications / Utilities ) , select Applications ( under Software in the sidebar ) , and then click the Kind column header , which sorts the list of lotion by processor case . Any programs list asPowerPCwill not form under Lion . ( If you ’ve got any listed asClassic , well , that ship sailed long ago . )
Have an extra drive handy ? : While most citizenry will merely install Lion over Snow Leopard , there are situation in which you might desire to establish onto an empty parkway . For example , if you desire to install Lion on a 2d crusade to try the OS before promote your “ production ” drive , or if you need to erase your Mac ’s startup drive and start anew . ( The latter might be a good estimation if your Snow Leopard installing has been having issues , or if your private road is nearly full or in need of repair . ) As we ’ll address in our upcoming article on instal Lion , set up onto a secondary drive is mere . However , erasing your Mac ’s startup drive and starting fresh agency having a good , tested patronage ( see above ) as well as a bootable Lion install crusade , so now ’s the clip to start get up .
Ready and waiting
Thanks to Lion ’s Mac App Store dispersion , the process of purchasing , obtaining , and establish Mac OS X should be degraded and easier than ever — at least for most people . But it ’s always good to be prepared , because the good shape your Mac is in before the upgrade , the dear experience you ’ll have afterwards . Now that your Mac is decent prepped , stay tuned toMacworld — once Lion hit the streets , we ’ll have a slew of articles on installing and tweak the new OS .
[ Dan Frakes is a Macworld aged editor and a determined installer . ]
update 7/13/11 to add together connexion to article on Lion scrolling .
Updated 7/20/11 to add note about install Lion clause serial and to add tie-in to new Migration Assistant Update for Mac OS decade Snow Leopard .
