Image Credit:  Apple Inc.

 See related article "Which OS should I use in my Mac?"

Beginning in July 2011, every new Mac computer came with Mac OS X Lion pre-loaded. Apple sold OS X v10.7 through the Mac App Store. Before upgrading from OS X v10.6 Snow Leopard, use Software Update to update to OS X v10.6.8. Upon purchase from the Mac App Store, the OS X Lion installer downloads to the Dock and automatically launches. Follow the onscreen instructions to complete installation.

Image Credit:  Apple Inc.

General Requirements

To use Mac OS X v10.7 Lion, your Macintosh needs:

• Mac computer with an Intel Core 2 Duo, Core i3, Core i5, Core i7, or Xeon processor
  
  
• 2 GB of memory
  
  
• OS X v10.6.6 or later (v10.6.8 recommended)
  
  
• 7 GB of available space
  
  
• Some features require an Apple ID; terms apply.
  
  
• Some features require a compatible Internet service provider; fees may apply.

• Time Machine
  requires an additional hard drive or Time Capsule (sold separately).
  
  
• Photo Booth
  requires a FaceTime or iSight camera (built in or external), USB video class (UVC) camera, or FireWire DV camcorder. Backdrop effects when using a DV camcorder require fixed focus, exposure, and white balance.
  
  
• FaceTime
  Video calls require a built-in FaceTime camera, an iSight camera (built in or external), a USB video class (UVC) camera, or a FireWire DV camcorder; and a 128-Kbps upstream and downstream Internet connection. Making HD video calls requires a built-in FaceTime HD camera and a 1-Mbps upstream and downstream Internet connection. Receiving HD video calls requires a supported Intel-based Mac.
  
  
• Boot Camp
  supports existing Boot Camp installations with Windows XP Service Pack 2, Windows Vista, or Windows 7. New Boot Camp installations require Windows 7 (sold separately).
  
  
• Screen sharing
  in iChat and the Finder requires a 128-Kbps Internet connection (300 Kbps recommended).
  
  
• iChat
  
  • Audio chats require a microphone and a 56-Kbps Internet connection. Video chats require a FaceTime or iSight camera (built in or external), USB video class (UVC) camera, or FireWire DV camcorder; and a 128-Kbps upstream and downstream Internet connection.
  • Backdrop effects when using a DV camcorder require fixed focus, exposure, and white balance. Some iChat features offer better performance and quality with higher system capabilities.
  
  
  
• AirDrop
  supports the following Mac models:
  
  
  • MacBook Pro (Late 2008 or newer)
  • MacBook Air (Late 2010 or newer)
  • MacBook (Late 2008 or newer)
  • iMac (Early 2009 or newer)
  • Mac mini (Mid 2010 or newer)
  • Mac Pro (Early 2009 with AirPort Extreme card, or Mid 2010)
  
  
  
• Exchange support
  requires Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 Service Pack 1 Update Rollup 4 or Exchange Server 2010. Auto-setup requires enabling the Autodiscovery feature of Microsoft Exchange Server.
  
  
• QuickTime X movie capture
  requires a FaceTime or iSight camera (built in or external), USB video class (UVC) camera, or FireWire DV camcorder.
  
  
• OpenCL
  requires one of the following graphics cards or graphics processors:
  
  
  • NVIDIA GeForce 320M, GeForce GT 330M, GeForce 9400M, GeForce 9600M GT, GeForce 8600M GT, GeForce GT 120, GeForce GT 130, GeForce GTX 285, GeForce 8800 GT, GeForce 8800 GS, Quadro FX 4800, Quadro FX5600
  • ATI Radeon HD 4670, ATI Radeon HD 4850, Radeon HD 4870, ATI Radeon HD 5670, ATI Radeon HD 5750, ATI Radeon HD 5770, ATI Radeon HD 5870
  • AMD Radeon HD 6750M, AMD Radeon HD 6770M, AMD Radeon HD 6970M
  
  
  
• Gestures
  requires a Multi-Touch trackpad, Magic Trackpad, or Magic Mouse.
  
  
• VoiceOver gestures
  require a Multi-Touch trackpad or Magic Trackpad.
  
  
• Mac App Store
  is available only to persons age 13 or older in the U.S. and many other countries. Requires compatible hardware and software and Internet access; broadband recommended (fees may apply). Terms apply.
  
  

Image Credit:  Apple Inc.