Mac OS X Mavericks is now available for download from Mac App Store and Apple has effectively opened the flood gates by offering it for free. Many users will be inclined to upgrade their Mac system to the latest operating system not only because it is free, but also because it comes with a lot of enhancements and new features.
But before you jump the gun and hit the upgrade button we would recommend that you go through this write-up to ensure that you don’t miss out any of the necessary steps.
Compatible Systems
Apple has gone to great lengths to ensure that almost all system currently operational in the market are supported by the Mac OS X Mavericks. According to Apple the following systems are compatible:
- iMacs bought on or after mid-2007;
- MacBooks from late-2008 or newer;
- MacBook Pro models from late 2007 or newer;
- MacBook Air models from late 2008 or newer;
- Mac mini from early 2009 or newer;
- Mac Pro from early 2008 or newer; and
- Xserve from early 2009.
In case you have a particularly old system that is from mid or late 2007 or early 2008, we would recommend that you sit out the first couple of weeks and see how other users have fared after the upgrade. This will allow you to identify potential issues and give Apple enough time to iron them out.
Existing Operating System
Apple states that those running Snow Leopard (version 10.6.8), Lion (10.7) or Mountain Lion (10.8) will be able to upgrade their systems directly. However, if you are one of those users who have an OS prior to Snow Leopard running on your system and have just walked out of a cave to find out OS X Mavericks as the latest OS, you will be required to upgrade to Snow Leopard first, which will set you back by $19.99.
Backup
One of the most important steps in the upgrade process is to ensure that you don’t lose your data given the upgrade cocks up half way through. You have two ways of doing this: either backup all your data on an external drive the way you want it or let Apple do its trick using its Time Capsule feature. Find the ‘System Preferences’ option, then click on ‘Time Machine’ -> ‘Select Disk’ and then pick your Time Capsule from the list. Just there!
Upgrade
Once you are done with all the above steps, head onto Mac App Store and download Mac OS X Mavericks. The download will take over an hour depending on your broadband speed and the capacity of your system so ensure that you have enough time before you hit the download button. Once downloaded upgrade the OS and you are done!
