It’s here!
Apple today announced that Mac OS X Lion, the eighth major release of the world’s most advanced operating system with more than 250 new features, is available today as a download from the Mac App Store for $29.99. Some of the amazing features in Lion include: new Multi-Touch gestures; system-wide support for full screen apps; Mission Control, an innovative view of everything running on your Mac; the Mac App Store, the best place to find and explore great software, built right into the OS; Launchpad, a new home for all your apps; and a completely redesigned Mail app.
“Lion is the best version of OS X yet, and we’re thrilled that users around the world can download it starting today,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing, in the press release. “Lion makes upgrading a Mac easier than ever before; just launch the Mac App Store, buy Lion with your iTunes account, and the download and install process will begin automatically.”
Additional new features in Lion include:
• Resume, which conveniently brings your apps back exactly how you left them when you restart your Mac or quit and relaunch an app
• Auto Save, which automatically and continuously saves your documents as you work
• Versions, which automatically records the history of your document as you create it, and gives you an easy way to browse, revert and even copy and paste from previous versions
• AirDrop, which finds nearby Macs and automatically sets up a peer-to-peer wireless connection to make transferring files quick and easy
Mac OS X Lion is available as an upgrade to Mac OS X version 10.6.6 Snow Leopard from the Mac App Store for US$29.99. Lion is the easiest OS X upgrade and at around 4GB, it is about the size of an HD movie from the iTunes Store. Users who do not have broadband access at home, work or school can download Lion at Apple retail stores and later this August, Lion will be made available on a USB thumb drive through the Apple Store for $69. Mac OS X Lion Server requires Lion and is available from the Mac App Store for $49.99.
Lion requires an Intel-based Mac with a Core 2 Duo, i3, i5, i7 or Xeon processor and 2GB of RAM. Lion is an upgrade and can be installed on all your authorized personal Macs.
The OS X Lion Up-to-Date upgrade will be available through the Mac App Store at no additional charge to all customers who purchased a qualifying new Mac system from Apple or an Apple Authorized Reseller on or after June 6, 2011. Users must request their Up-to-Date upgrade within 30 days of purchase of their Mac computer. Customers who purchased a qualifying Mac between June 6, 2011 and July 20, 2011 will have until August 19, 2011 to make a request. Additional information can be found at here.
More info and download link via Apple’s Mac App Store here.
Source: Apple Inc.
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Apple updates Mac mini with Intel Core i5 & i7 processors, Thunderbolt I/O, discrete graphics, and more – July 20, 2011
27-inch Apple Thunderbolt Display unveiled; world’s first Thunderbolt display – July 20, 2011
Apple discontinues MacBook – July 20, 2011
Hurry up CCC!!!
hehe, I pre-empted and CCC’d my MacBook last night 🙂
Lion is downloading RIGHT NOW!!!!
Cool.
Hey MDN, on your question: “Upgrading to OS X Lion?”
How about an answer for testers? “Installed months ago.” 😉
OK, after a restart, Safari appears to be working again. However, the User/Library folder, she’s a goner. Must be still there yet hidden, which makes sense. But I still want access to that folder. Me no likey.
Safari is broken and there is no longer a User/Library folder.
Anyone with the GM build having problems actually buying it?
It says “installed” because you already have it. The developer GM is the same. We got it for free 😉
Nice birthday present, thank you Apple.
Happy Birthday TronDude!
Can’t download on a machine where OSX Lion GM is installed 🙁
That’s the problem I’m having… I might have to sign-in to my lady friend’s laptop and buy it? Anyone have a solution?
You already have it installed.. and you got it for free. The Developer GM is the same as what available today.
I’m going to sit back and wait for the .1 release. Wait for the kinks to be worked out before taking the plunge. I’d like to see if Apple will cave in to all the clamoring and release a version on disk.
USB version next month
USB version at $69.99. But an 8GB USB stick is cheap. Why not sell Lion on USB (or DVD) at the BnM Apple Stores for a nominal cost over the online version? Perhaps $45?
Anyway, at least you will have the option to avoid downloading through your home internet connection. As usual, many people got prematurely bent out of shape on the rumor before waiting to see the plan for the actual release.
“Anyway, at least you will have the option to avoid downloading through your home internet connection. As usual, many people got prematurely bent out of shape on the rumor before waiting to see the plan for the actual release.”
The problem is not that Apple didn’t provide an alternative. I assumed they would. The problem is that they didn’t TELL YOU what that alternative was going to be until now. Why the hell not? Was it a last-minute change of plans? Or were they just being secretive for the sake of it? Trying to get the press of “digital only” before then saying “ok, not really”?
I wonder if the USB thumb drive will be available at non-Apple retail stores.
“The problem is not that Apple didn’t provide an alternative. I assumed they would. The problem is that they didn’t TELL YOU what that alternative was going to be until now. Why the hell not?”
Entitlement much!
What has timely release of information in advance of an event amounted to entitlement? Are you the type who likes to be kept in the dark about everything?
This information should have been made known at the time the release date of Lion was announced to enable people to plan ahead of time. Your comment makes no damn sense and you know it.
Apple can no longer tolerate people roaming around their stores with only $50 in their pocket. “begone peasants!”
A $40 premium for the USB stick is ridiculous. I won’t lug my iMac into the store, but if they’ll allow me to bring my *own* USB stick or drive, that would work for me. My 3MB DSL simply isn’t adequate to support such a massive download.
I’m going to wait for the Floppy Disk version…. I can’t believe apple would be so inconsiderate….
“Please insert disk 183 of 240”
“Please insert disk 183 of 240″
Assuming a 1.44MB capacity it would be more like ‘insert disk 183 of 2845’
Imagine doing that 😛
Lol. I’m glad someone understood sarcasm…. Internets these days… Can’t trust em
By internet did you mean to imply the CNet comments section? Drop sarcasms there (even with helpful “/sarcasm” tags) at your own peril.
lolol….good one.
Yeah, I want the floppy version. My download came down WAY too fast and install FAR too easily. I want it slow enough to know I got my money’s worth!
In a box the size of a REFRIGERATOR, with a life-size Lion on the side, delivered by forklift to my front door — software with a carbon footprint equal to that of Burkina Faso!
400k size ones right? LOL
Like always, shoot from you backside and stink up the place.
As previously posted: http://macdailynews.com/2011/06/09/is-apple’s-os-x-lion-upgrade-plan-misguided/comment-page-3/#comments
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md8mac
Thursday, June 9, 2011 – 1:56 pm · Reply
Perhaps everybody should just calm down.
To think that “Lion will only be available via that route, [i.e., is downloading via the Mac App Store]. There will be no retail upgrade kits, no DVDs…” is completely ludicrous.
Otherwise, why would Apple describe the upgrade process in print with a “To upgrade on day one:”?
It’s only the first day!
I would suggest that Apple will have more to add to satisfy all the concerns posted here, i.e., providing that your Mac can run Lion. Just like they did prior to the release of Snow Leopard. Remember the upgrade bundles for both Leopard and Snow Leopard?
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md8mac
Thursday, June 9, 2011 – 1:59 pm · Reply
And remember you could upgrade to Snow Leopard from Tiger thereby bypassing Leopard.
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md8mac
Thursday, June 9, 2011 – 1:59 pm · Reply
And remember you could upgrade to Snow Leopard from Tiger thereby bypassing Leopard.
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md8mac
Thursday, June 9, 2011 – 2:04 pm · Reply
Really, anybody that thinks that Apple isn’t fully aware of what, how and when they customers are capable or are able to do in order to upgrade their OS’s, are just plain ignorant.
Anybody that believes that Apple hasn’t or won’t satisfy the majority of its users, is just plain stupid. Excluding those that seem to feel they have an entitlement to everything being free.
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omalansky
Thursday, June 9, 2011 – 3:21 pm · Reply
You may be right, or you may be in denial. Time will tell.
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Ballmer’s left nut
Thursday, June 9, 2011 – 3:43 pm · Reply
He’s in denial as he assumes that Apple is all encompassing, all seeing. It may just be a simple oversight on Steve’s part – not realising that the majority of people and markets that Apple sells to do not have access to high speed Internet, unlike the pipes that go into the Apple campus.
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OmniDragon
Wednesday, June 22, 2011 – 12:51 am ·
I don’t think it’s an oversight at all. I think it’s just a matter of Apple looking at their bottom line and not looking at the user. The more people they can get to buy upgraded machines, the better…for them. People who have older Macs with Leopard or Tiger are either going to have to risk damaging their old computer by doing multiple upgrades or they’ll just have to buy a new machine. Pretty smart thinking on Apple’s part, actually. But not very attentive to the needs of users without access to broadband. Even if I had broadband, wouldn’t a 4GB download cut quite a bit out of my monthly data cap? If I had one?
Got it!!!! It’s downloading now. Started at 8:57am Toronto time.
I just got some progress in my download. It’s working.
I have a small area of blue et the left end of t he progress bar but I expect that with all of us around the world doing this it may be a bit slooooooooow!
Yeah, I expected that. I’ve got a bit over 1 GB now. Enjoy! I know I will.
It’s downloading now about halfway total time for download should be around 30minutes. Downloading to a duo core MacBook pro. I did get a message to check my Internet connection then it immeaditly resumed the download.
Anyone else notice that the original flip-down-port Airs are not on the supported machine list? Even though they do have Core 2 Duo and are more capable than the 2008 era plastic MacBooks which are listed?
I’m really hoping this is a misprint…
Lion works just fine on flipdown port MBA. Upgraded my iMac. Made a thumb drive of the Lion install and then upgraded my MBA.
Cake.
in the app store click purchased tab for a better representation of the download process.
Downloading it now, didn’t get any errors. Looks like it’ll be about 35 minutes. Not too shabby considering it would take me considerably longer than that to drive to the store and wait in a really long line like we have done with previous OS X releases.
It’s coming down now !!
My progress bar is growing. The first OS to be delivered without media.
Pretty cool actually. And so is the price!
@cococanuck – Spot on. NO problem here with first attempt. People should call their ISP first to complain. Gee, do you think other people in the neighborhood are on the Internet too? The horror! 😉
Annnnd my download is at the 50% mark 😀
yep.
And if anyone is complaining about it being slow or whatnot…
Thats normal and expected…
3.74 GB download, and just how many people are downloading it right NOW?….
Yeah it’s going to take awhile, yes it may have problems downloading..
While i wouldn’t mind getting the USB version, I’ll just make my own from the download. I’ll buy a new USB stick on the way home tonight, i’m downloading it now on the MBP but i’ll wait to install it till tonight.
From what i have seen and read, it’s just an installer. Like xCode it will stop and wait for user input once the download is complete. easy to copy and put on a USB stick.
But i’m with cococanuck. this is cool!
(but he’s wrong… Linux is delivered without media, don’t tell him.)
Is it true that there is an available installer you can put on a USB stick after the download? Where is it located after the install? Can it be booted from the USB stick if we have hard drive issues?
Holding out on purchasing at the moment until I know that this installer of Lion can be archived somehow and booted from a USB stick.
The download goes into your Applications folder and is called “Install Mac OS X Lion.” It can be copied to a USB drive, but won’t be bootable.
(Mind my questions.. this will be my first App Store purchase.)
Anyone who can give me help is greatly appreciated!
The installer will be in your Applications folder. I put it on a thumb drive to install on my other laptop – so I don’t need to download again. Not sure if it will work.
http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9218547/How_to_make_a_bootable_Lion_install_disc_or_drive?taxonomyId=89&pageNumber=2
This website showed me how to create a bootable disk… you need to make the bootable disk BEFORE installing Lion on your system.
search…. it’s everywhere on how to do it.
every question you have, can be answered via google in 30 seconds.
DVD/USB/SD all can be made bootable with Lion install from App Store.
No need to search FTB I just gave you a link for it
Linux…..
Apple isn’t the first.
No problems with download here from NE Penn.
So far, the process has been buttery smooooth.
In Malaysia not available yet! sucks!
my connection is all screwed up here at work… it will start downloading at top speeds.. for a few seconds then drop back to nothing.. so I pause and resume and it repeats… kinda weird
strangely… it is working now….. 2 hours later I’ll have it 🙁 even worse I have to wait till I get home to put it on my mac
I have the same effect at work, its our proxy.
Its probably the proxy at your work too.
I don’t use a proxy at work… I turned off wifi because I forgot I sometimes have issues with it and the app store… all went well after that.. still took a long time but im sure people were surfing the web at work too..
Can I download only at work to install at home?
Does it try to automatically install on the machine it downloads on?
I hope it’s a Unibody thumb drive; I can’t wait to see Jonathan Ive extolling how they’ve rethought the thumb drive from the ground up and what a remarkable engineering achievement it truly is.
Have you seen the MBA recovery drives? They already redesigned the USB drive 😉
Google it.
Is it carved from a single block of aluminium? Does it have magnets?
Not aluminium… Apple’s magic white plastic.
Done!
Installing!
Sipping coffee . . .
No progress bar?
I got that too. I hit the “purchase” button which changed to “installing” but I have no progress window or indication of anything happening… Trying to sit on my hands to see if it clears itself up…
Out of nowhere after about 20 minutes a window popped up starting the install process
I haven’t seen the word “merkin” since at least the late middle ages.
Since then, many millions have been jerkin the ferkin merkin.
If you click on the “Purchases” toolbar button in the App Store application after the download has begun, you will get a full list of all the stuff you have purchased, along with the current status of each purchase. If the download is still in progress, you get a decent-size progress bar with an indication of the total size of the download and the amount of data downloaded so far, and a button to pause/resume the download.
Thank You!
Anyone know if the Lion install is upgrade only? Or will it let me wipe and install? I’d prefer the latter, and then I’d just restore from my Time Machine.
You can erase and install.
Here’s what I’ve done;
1. Cloned my Snow Leopard to an external drive, and rebooted from that.
2. Downloaded Lion using Snow Leopard on the external drive.
3. Run Lion installer from external drive, clean install onto internal drive.
4. Reboot into Lion.
So I have my copy of Snow Leopard cloned and bootable on the external drive, and a fresh install of Lion on my internal drive. Heaven.
Bloody hell, why didnt you tell me that earlier?! Mine is half way installing now, an upgrade install! Sheesh…
What the f#$! are you complaining about…. just took me a mere 25 minutes for complete download.
It’s so fast, don’t even bother working out how to copy to other mac, just another download! Brilliant, way to go Apple.
Must faster than ordering through Apple-store
Mine said 21 hours to download, half way now… 10 hrs left.
i’m on the east coast and keep getting window that says lion isnt available since 9am
Its on the way 1hour to go!! come on