Install OS X 10.7 on the latest iMac that has OS X 10.8 installed by default

[matthiasv1]

Hello

I have bought the latest iMac which has OS X 10.8 installed by default. I want to create a new partition where I can install OS X 10.7 since I need to have that version for software testing.

Is there a way how to achieve this because right now, I get an error that I can't install 10.7 because my current version is too new.

Sincerely

Matthias

 

[simsaladimbamba]

Since the late 2012 iMac only came with OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion (a special build of 10.8.2 to be precise), there are no drivers for Mac OS X 10.7 Lion, thus you cannot run Mac OS X 10.7 Lion natively on this Mac, only as a virtual machine.

 

[matthiasv1]

So I need to either install vmWare or Virtual Box in order to run a 10.7 installation?

 

[simsaladimbamba]

So I need to either install vmWare or Virtual Box in order to run a 10.7 installation?

Yes. Or Parallels Desktop.

 

[paulrbeers]

So I need to either install vmWare or Virtual Box in order to run a 10.7 installation?

Yes. Which quite frankly if you are trying to do testing on multiple OS's, this is by far the easiest way (and the way I do it). Unless you are testing a graphically intensive video game, there is no reason not to use VM's for this. Heck, I have 7-8 VM's on my Mini with at least two running at all times.