Is your Mac up to date with the latest version of the Mac operating system? Is it using the version required by some product that you want to use with your Mac? Which versions are earlier (older) or later (newer, more recent)? To find out, learn which version is installed now.
Softonic review Improve Your Mac Use. Mac’s OS X Lion is an operating system that aims to bring iOS features back to Mac.This utility software brings several big and small changes to your experience, from the direction of scrolling to the color of buttons. Softonic review Windows Desktop customized with Mac icons. Mac OS X Lion Icon Pack is an awesome, free multiplatform program (also available for Mac), that is part of the category Desktop customization software with subcategory Icons (more specifically System & Shell) and has been created by Deviantart. Softonic review Mac OS X 10.5.6 combo update. Mac OS X 10.5.6 Combo Update is Apple's recommended update for all users running Mac OS X Leopard 10.5.0. Mac OS X 10.5.0 includes general operating system fixes that enhance the stability, compatibility and security of your Mac. Apple formally notes that Mac OS X 10.7 'Lion' is compatible with 'an Intel-based Mac with a Core 2 Duo, i3, i5, i7 or Xeon processor and at least 2 GB of RAM.' It needs to be running Mac OS X 10.6.6 (or higher, 10.6.8 is recommended) 'Snow Leopard' as well.
If your macOS isn't up to date, you may be able to update to a later version.
Which macOS version is installed?
From the Apple menu in the corner of your screen, choose About This Mac. You should see the macOS name, such as macOS Big Sur, followed by its version number. If you need to know the build number as well, click the version number to see it.
Which macOS version is the latest?
These are all Mac operating systems, starting with the most recent. When a major new macOS is released, it gets a new name, such as macOS Big Sur. As updates that change the macOS version number become available, this article is updated to show the latest version of that macOS.
If your Mac is using an earlier version of any Mac operating system, you should install the latest Apple software updates, which can include important security updates and updates for the apps that are installed by macOS, such as Safari, Books, Messages, Mail, Music, Calendar, and Photos.
macOS | Latest version |
---|---|
macOS Big Sur | 11.2.3 |
macOS Catalina | 10.15.7 |
macOS Mojave | 10.14.6 |
macOS High Sierra | 10.13.6 |
macOS Sierra | 10.12.6 |
OS X El Capitan | 10.11.6 |
OS X Yosemite | 10.10.5 |
OS X Mavericks | 10.9.5 |
OS X Mountain Lion | 10.8.5 |
OS X Lion | 10.7.5 |
Mac OS X Snow Leopard | 10.6.8 |
Mac OS X Leopard | 10.5.8 |
Mac OS X Tiger | 10.4.11 |
Mac OS X Panther | 10.3.9 |
Mac OS X Jaguar | 10.2.8 |
Mac OS X Puma | 10.1.5 |
Mac OS X Cheetah | 10.0.4 |
Mac OS X 10.7 'Lion' Q&A - Updated August 29, 2011
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Mac Os X Lion Update
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Which Macs are compatible with Mac OS X 10.7 'Lion'? Which Macs are not compatible? Can incompatible Macs be 'hacked' or upgraded to run Mac OS X 10.7 'Lion'?
Apple formally notes that Mac OS X 10.7 'Lion' is compatible with 'an Intel-based Mac with a Core 2 Duo, i3, i5, i7 or Xeonprocessor and [at least] 2 GB of RAM.' It needs to be running Mac OS X 10.6.6 (or higher, 10.6.8 is recommended) 'Snow Leopard' as well.
In other words, assuming sufficient RAM and the final version of 'Snow Leopard' is installed, Lion is compatible with all Intel-based Macs except for those with Core Solo or Core Duo processors. It it not compatible with older PowerPC-based systems either.
Identifying Macs & Determining Processor Type
To check the processor on a particular Mac, select 'About This Mac' under the 'Apple' menu. If you're not in front of a particular Mac and need to check its compatibility, EveryMac.com's 'Maximum Supported Version of Mac OS X' listing from the By Capability section of the site also can be helpful for a single page rundown.
If you need to identify a Mac, look it up with EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Lookup by its Serial Number, its Model Identifier listed in software and more.
Determining Installed RAM
Just below the 'Processor' information, the same 'About This Mac' screen also provides the amount of RAM installed. As long as your Mac meets the processor and operating system requirements and it has at least 2 GB of RAM, it is Lion-compatible. If the only incompatibilities are operating system and/or RAM, upgrading the system accordingly will make it compatible.
By default, the following Macs shipped with less than 2 GB of RAM:
If you have one of the above Macs and the RAM has not been upgraded already from the stock configuration, its RAM will need to be upgraded prior to running Lion.
EveryMac.com's Mac Upgrades section provides RAM upgrade instructions for all of these models.
'Hack' Options for Incompatible Macs
As first reported by the well respected hacker, Netkas, the final version of Mac OS X 10.7 'Lion' has a Finder that only runs in 64-bit mode, and as a result, the software cannot be 'hacked' to install on Core Solo or Core Duo-based Macs, as these are 32-bit processors. Earlier developer's preview releases had a Finder capable of running in 32-bit mode and it could be 'forced' to install on these unsupported models, but it is no longer a feasible option.
However, as first reported by XLR8YourMac -- although Apple does not support such upgrades and it may not be cost-effective -- it still is possible to 'hack' the Core Solo and Core Duo Mac mini and iMac models by upgrading the processor to a Core 2 Duo and then installing OS X Lion.
Older PowerPC-based Macs definitely cannot be 'hacked' in any way to support Mac OS X 10.7 'Lion.'
Site sponsor OWC sells RAM compatible with all Intel Macs for systems that need to be upgraded prior to installing Lion.
Mac Os X Lion Update
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