OS X snow leopard upgrade disk - the full package or just the extras?

I'm not entirely sure how they'll do it. (and since there's only been one GM version seeded to developers, no one probably knows for certain besides those at Apple)

It's entirely possible that it'll be a "good faith" thing like the Family license. So that even if you only have Tiger you could purchase the upgrade version (you'd just be breaking the EULA by doing so).

Then again, Apple may require you to boot the Upgrade disc from within Leopard.

I'd bet that all the discs (both the upgrade and the Box Set version) have the full OS on them, regardless of what Apple does with the upgrade version. As long as you are able to boot the Upgrade disc, I'd say you can install it however you like. (on a fresh external harddrive or whatever)

Think of it like a Windows upgrade. They just require verification (CD, serial, or current install) that you have a prior version of Windows. You can still install it however you like after that check, though.

BENI said:

If I buy os x snow leopard upgrade disk will it have all the files of the os so I can install it on an external drive (as a back up precaution as I have done with leopard) or, as the word "upgrade" suggests, will I just get the extra files that aren't in leopard? - like a program upgrade.
I realize nobody can know yet as is isn't quite out - but what did they do for leopard or tiger or the rest ? (I was working windows until a couple of months ago).

I'm sorry if this is a stupid question. I just want to be sure.

thanks for your help

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I dont know- but why would you install it as a back-up precaution- what does that help you do?

BENI said:

I just don't like CDs as they can be scratched so easy so like to have my os on a flash drive or SD card something solid state anyway. I do quite alot of hacks on the system config so I need to always be sure that I have an os backup.

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makes sense- I never use the CD after installation- I thin I have pulled out an install cd/DVD only three times in the last ten years. I like stability and such- although I would love to have the time to hack and tweak things-

flyfish29 said:

I dont know- but why would you install it as a back-up precaution- what does that help you do?

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when i bought my macbook, it came with 10.5 leopard CD's incase your macbook got wipped out! and you want to back up again.

BENI said:

I just don't like CDs as they can be scratched so easy so like to have my os on a flash drive or SD card something solid state anyway. I do quite alot of hacks on the system config so I need to always be sure that I have an os backup.

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Solution: Buy an external drive to use with Time Machine (you should do that anyway), then make a small partition, probably 6 GB or so, and use Disk Utility to copy the installer disk to that partition. Now lock the disks away in a safe place. You can now boot straight from the partition on your Time Machine drive. And if things go wrong, you can restore back to 10.5.

remove

BENI said:

I am not sure whether, like vista was when it came out with loads of bugs, whether it wouldn't be better to wait for apple to fix these possible bugs before buying it as I am very happy with leopard - the only thing is I am eligable (cos of the time I got my mac) to get Snow leo for just £6.09. Will that offer run out? after a few weeks?

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http://www.apple.com/macosx/uptodate/

BENI said:

I am not sure whether, like vista was when it came out with loads of bugs, whether it wouldn't be better to wait for apple to fix these possible bugs before buying it as I am very happy with leopard - the only thing is I am eligable (cos of the time I got my mac) to get Snow leo for just £6.09. Will that offer run out? after a few weeks?

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I just ordered my MacBook Pro last night intentionally before snow comes out- that way I can use the current OS until the bugs get worked out- Being elligible for the $9.95 upgrade makes that an easy choice. However, I will buy the upgrade right when it comes out just to have the disc's just in case they don't do the special upgrade price- but I won't install it until they work the bugs out after at least two revisions.

The apple site linked above shows this-

This program ends December 26, 2009. Your completed order form must be postmarked or faxed within 90 days of the date of your purchase of a qualifying computer or Xserve (described in this offer) or by December 26, 2009, whichever is earlier.

What gives- I guess if you ordered your computer June 8th you MUST order snow leopard (postmarked or faxed) on Sept. 8th since that is exactly 90 days? I am confused- this seems like people better be on the ball and order quickly if you purchased your computer in June.

Also, So I can safely assume the release date for Snow leopard as Sept. 8th- which is a Tues. since that is 90 days past the date in the uptodate program?

BENI said:

I have seen in some places that SL is 5GB and some that say it's only 3 or even just over 1. how the hell are any of them right? Arn't they all just way to small to have extra features over leopard and be a whole OS aswell?

how big is it really cos I'm pretty confused?

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Instead of taking some 3 hours to install

it will take 3 minutes.

snow leopard is faster!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! with a less amount of carbon foot print on my macbook!