Mountain Lion on iMac

[macbanda]

I just bought a new MacBook pro with Mountain Lion, I have an iMac I'd like to upgrade to Mountain Lion, do I have to purchase a separate license if I want to install?

Thank you.

[IGregory]

Originally Posted by macbanda

I just bought a new MacBook pro with Mountain Lion, I have an iMac I'd like to upgrade to Mountain Lion, do I have to purchase a separate license if I want to install?

Thank you.

The way I read Apple's licensing agreement, paragraph #2, the answer is no.

[iThinkergoiMac]

No, you can install ML (that you've purchased from the App Store) on all your Macs registered with your Apple ID.

[JediMeister]

As I understand it, the preinstalled license does not actually count as a purchased copy the OP can reinstall on another computer. The preinstalled copy does not require an AppleID to reinstall, and will not cause Mountain Lion to be listed in the Purchases tab of the App Store. If the OP wants to upgrade another computer that did not come with Mountain Lion, he/she must purchase Mountain Lion for the $19.99 from the Mac App Store.

[macbanda]

Originally Posted by JediMeister

As I understand it, the preinstalled license does not actually count as a purchased copy the OP can reinstall on another computer. The preinstalled copy does not require an AppleID to reinstall, and will not cause Mountain Lion to be listed in the Purchases tab of the App Store. If the OP wants to upgrade another computer that did not come with Mountain Lion, he/she must purchase Mountain Lion for the $19.99 from the Mac App Store.

Thanks to all that responded - I decided to buy it since it's only $20. I have yet to install it. I know backing up my information is the wise thing to do but I'm curious if anyone has had problems losing information when upgrading.

[Weaselboy]

Originally Posted by macbanda

Thanks to all that responded - I decided to buy it since it's only $20. I have yet to install it. I know backing up my information is the wise thing to do but I'm curious if anyone has had problems losing information when upgrading.

I have not seen anybody losing data during a normal Mountain Lion upgrade, but here is what I have seen a few times. Installing a new OS gives the hard drive a pretty good workout and I have seen drives just up and die during the OS install due to the stress of the OS install itself.

[benwiggy]

Originally Posted by macbanda

Thanks to all that responded - I decided to buy it since it's only $20. I have yet to install it. I know backing up my information is the wise thing to do but I'm curious if anyone has had problems losing information when upgrading.

The OS upgrade is designed to replace the system files and leave your user data, settings and apps intact.

But, you should have a backup, regardless of installing a new OS.