How to properly buy old OS X discs?

[Gr80Likes2Boogi]

Hi all,

So I have that other thread regarding which, between a G4 iMac and G5 Powermac, I am going to possibly purchase, but I'm a little uneasy about the lack of OS discs. Googling and Craigslisting has a plethora of people who have discs for purchase, but isn't it kind of machine-specific? Where or how would I go about having a safe backup in the event I need/want to reinstall OSX.4? I looked on Apple's site as well and couldn't really find the answer... I realize as I'm getting closer to purchasing an older Mac for my theatre's playback system, not having the install discs if something happens makes me nervous!

Thanks for your help!

 

[simsaladimbamba]

There is also eBay buying Mac OS X 10.4 or 10.5 Retail DVDs.
The model specific Restore DVDs and CDs are grey, the Retail DVDs and CDs are coloured.

 

[Gr80Likes2Boogi]

So I would be fine buying a colored, retail version, yes?

And thanks, Sim, for your pm.

 

[simsaladimbamba]

So I would be fine buying a colored, retail version, yes?

Yep.

Retail CD/DVD

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Restore CD/DVD

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[DewGuy1999]

My retail OS X 10.4.6 Tiger looks like this:

 

[simsaladimbamba]

My retail OS X 10.4.6 Tiger looks like this:

Image

Thanks, I couldn't find anything proper via Chandler's rival.

 

[cocacolakid]

The retail discs will work in all Macs (assuming they meet the basic requirements of the OS), while the grey system restore discs are only for the specific model, i.e., you can't use a grey iMac restore disc on a Mac Mini or Power Mac, even if it is the same OS version.

 

[zen.state]

My retail OS X 10.4.6 Tiger looks like this:

Image

Mine is the same.