OS X Lion and Lion Server Available from the Mac App Store

MacMedics Pre-Install Advice:
IMPORTANT: DO NOT install Lion without have a working and tested backup system. Also, if you run Time Machine, that’s awesome, but there is no real good way to “test” a Time Machine backup. If you install Lion, and you can’t work, you could find yourself in a real pickle. In situations like this, MacMedics recommends a “bootable clone” backup of your main drive. This way, if there is a problem you can boot off your clone, and get right back to work. Plus the best thing is you can “test” your bootable clone backup, by “booting” off of it before you do anything. This way you can ensure IF there is a problem installing, running, or using Lion, you can revert to your clone backup with NO downtime.
Also, installing a major OS upgrade can “kill” a hard drive. Whenever Apple releases a major update we see folks in the shop with dead or dying hard drives, that were killed by trying to run a major update. Don’t forget that we recommend a new hard drive every TWO years in laptops, and every THREE years in desktops. Also, back up hard drives also can die, and should be retired using the same guidelines. 2.5″ drives in backup devices should be “retired” every two years, and 3.5″ drives in back up devices should be “retired” every three years. Retire your backup drive, and then use it for an off-site back up. Also, when you buy a new backup drive write the date you purchased it on tape and stick it to the drive, so you don’t forget to retire it or to step it into semi-retirement as an off-site back up. See our website ww.HardDrivesDie.com for more info.
1. PowerPC applications cannot run, as Rosetta is gone. This slams the door on anybody still clinging to Quark 6, CS2 or Office v.X/2004, as well as AppleWorks.
2. Older peripherals (printers, scanners, etc) may not work if they have not been updated with 64-bit drivers. Lion runs the 64-bit kernel by default, and therefore requires 64-bit drivers. Anything that was updated specifically for Snow Leopard will probably work OK. Also, PostScript printers should be fine in Lion since they use a PPD rather than an actual driver.
OS X Lion and Lion Server Available from the Mac App Store
OS X Lion, the eighth major release of the world’s most advanced desktop operating system, is now available on the Mac App Store for $29.99 (U.S.) as an upgrade to Mac OS X v10.6 Snow Leopard.
Lion will be the easiest OS X upgrade ever. At around 4GB, it’s about the size of an HD movie downloaded from the iTunes Store.
Customers who do not have broadband access at home, work, or school can download Lion at an Apple Retail Store. In August, Lion will be available on a USB thumb drive through the Apple Online Store for $69 (U.S.).
Mac OS X Lion Server requires Lion and is available from the Mac App Store for $49.99.
OS X Lion also includes a new feature that lets customers restore system software to a Mac with just a few clicks—without using install discs or drives. For more information about the Lion Recovery feature, visit www.apple.com/macosx/recovery/.

Sign Up for Our Newsletter: