Apple OS x install question

[terminaldegree]

Hi folks,

I'm considering the purchase of a used white intel iMac. It has 10.4 on it and I want to upgrade to 10.5 for some of the software I want to use.

My gf just bought a refurb laptop from apple that came with install disks for 10.5 and iLife '09. I think these were preinstalled, maybe iLife wasn't.

Can I use these disks to upgrade the computer I'm thinking of buying? Will it work?

Thanks for any advice!

 

[uc50ic4more]

I am 99.9% sure that Apple issues generic install disks, meaning there'd be no such thing as a Macbook install disk (even if the install disk that came with a Macbook said "Macbook install disk" on it!) or an iMac install disk, etc. I only say that because I know of a lot of people on the interweb who use pirated copies of OSX on varying machines, and I also know that the OS supplied for a Hackintosh is generic.

So, to (finally) answer your question: Yes, it'll work. More importantly, there's no harm in trying!

 

[gtoracer]

No, the disk that came with the laptop are for the laptop and do not contain necessary drivers for the imac, you will have to locate a generic 10.5 upgrade disk...Pete

 

[terminaldegree]

Thanks for the replies so far. I know what you mean about model-specific disks from previous apples I've owned. These disks don't mention MacBook pro, only 10.5 on them.

I'm vascillating between this cheaper used iMac vs a newer apple refurb iMac that costs more. Knowing the answer to this will swing the economics of it firmly in one clear direction...

 

[gtoracer]

I have a mid 2007 white imac and it worked great under 10.4 and works great under 10.5, mine is a 17″

 

[Johnny]

gtoracer, are you sure that won't work. I have an iMac which I had upgraded to the 10.5 and when they were through they gave me the install disc. I then gave the disc to my son that has a Mac laptop and he installed/updated to 10.5 from that. Everything worked fine.

 

[Mystic]

I agree with Johnny. I don't think Apple worries as much as Microsoft when it comes to their operating systems. They make more money from the hardware they sell.

Microsoft is always worried about piracy of their software.

 

[gtoracer]

Originally Posted By: Johnny
gtoracer, are you sure that won't work. I have an iMac which I had upgraded to the 10.5 and when they were through they gave me the install disc. I then gave the disc to my son that has a Mac laptop and he installed/updated to 10.5 from that. Everything worked fine.


Hi Johnny
I believe you were upgraded from a generic upgrade disk and yes that will work on all Macs. I think if your imac had come with 10.5 on it and you tried to upgrade your sons laptop from the imac restore disk it would not have worked in the laptop.

Apple does this to prevent people from doing what the OP wants to do.