Should I update to Lion on my new Base 13" MBP?

[clutchm3]

Lion runs beautifully on my 13" MBP, and I really love it. Yes, it has it's little bugs, which is to be expected with a new release, but overall it's excellent.

The question here really is more about your mom. Is she technically savvy? Is this her first Mac?

If she's not tech savvy (as many of our Moms aren't) and especially if this is her first Mac, you SHOULD upgrade to Lion.

You don't want her to get used to using SL and then change everything on her in a month or two. If she's already using SL on another Mac, then this is irrelevant.

The average user will not have an issue with the handful of bugs that are present in Lion.

The people who aren't liking Lion dislike it for a few reasons:

1. It doesn't work with the software they currently run, usually pro apps. This has nothing to do with Lion and everything to do with them not doing the appropriate research before switching. Pro Apps are rarely compatible with new OS software releases, this should be common sense for computer users in 2011.

2. They don't have trackpads. Everything about Lion is based on multitouch gestures. Apple has invested heavily in the concept of multitouch gestures, and they are the future of this platform, there is no way around that and in my opinion it's an awesome move.

3. It's different from Snow Leopard. Yeah, that's right, they don't like the new OS because it isn't just like the old OS. Why this is a surprise, I can't figure out. You can't please everybody.

4. Some people just like to whine and complain. The thing could spit gold coins out when you hit the space bar and somebody would gripe about it.

Long story short, if your Mom is an average user and isn't embedded in Snow Leopard already, then switching to Lion now is ideal. This way she can learn it straight away and not have to struggle with a change down the road.

If she does use SL already, then just ask her what she wants to do. Tell her it's free now, or $29.99 later. If she's very comfortable in SL or uses Apps that may not be compatible yet, it may be worth the thirty bucks to wait.

----------



It's a different kind of full-screen in Lion as compared to Windows. The stated concept is you get to maximize the screen real estate, but the real benefit is that the full screen app becomes its own "space" or "desktop". A quick three finger swipe (left or right) on the trackpad and you're moving between multiple multi-tasking apps and desktops. On a 13" laptop this is awesome.

Thank you very much for this post. You do have a point I will talk to her and ask her. This is indeed her first Mac so I guess I would not want her to get used to SL first. But I am indeed worried about the bugs Lion. I just don't want it to be an issue.

 

[yeg780]

Exactly what Mak47 said. How techy is your mom? If she is not very comfortable around computers (like my mom) and has used SL and likes it then leave it on there. If she has just started using SL and is getting use to it then I would probably download Lion and have her learn on that version.

I have Lion on my mbp and like it. Just my thoughts though.

 

[Ice-Cube]

I have 2 computers - iMac for home and MBP for work. I was hesitating to update due to my past experiences with Snow leopard when it came out but my mac was having network issues with the new modem I installed so I updated the iMac with a fresh install with Lion and everything just seems awesome. Web surfing used to be like driving with a toyota and now its like I'm driving a brand new ferrari.

I've migrated a few apps, mail and itunes library over and they all seem fine. The only dislike I have is the expose function in Snow Leopard is replaced with mission control. Other than that, the iMac works well with existing Snow Leopard machines via screen sharing, file sharing, mobileme syncing etc.

 

[clutchm3]

I have 2 computers - iMac for home and MBP for work. I was hesitating to update due to my past experiences with Snow leopard when it came out but my mac was having network issues with the new modem I installed so I updated the iMac with a fresh install with Lion and everything just seems awesome. Web surfing used to be like driving with a toyota and now its like I'm driving a brand new ferrari.

I've migrated a few apps, mail and itunes library over and they all seem fine. The only dislike I have is the expose function in Snow Leopard is replaced with mission control. Other than that, the iMac works well with existing Snow Leopard machines via screen sharing, file sharing, mobileme syncing etc.

Glad to hear it so would you recommend a fresh install of Lion instead of just updating it?

 

[jkcmac]

Lion runs beautifully on my 13" MBP, and I really love it. Yes, it has it's little bugs, which is to be expected with a new release, but overall it's excellent.

The question here really is more about your mom. Is she technically savvy? Is this her first Mac?

If she's not tech savvy (as many of our Moms aren't) and especially if this is her first Mac, you SHOULD upgrade to Lion.

You don't want her to get used to using SL and then change everything on her in a month or two. If she's already using SL on another Mac, then this is irrelevant.

The average user will not have an issue with the handful of bugs that are present in Lion.

The people who aren't liking Lion dislike it for a few reasons:

1. It doesn't work with the software they currently run, usually pro apps. This has nothing to do with Lion and everything to do with them not doing the appropriate research before switching. Pro Apps are rarely compatible with new OS software releases, this should be common sense for computer users in 2011.

2. They don't have trackpads. Everything about Lion is based on multitouch gestures. Apple has invested heavily in the concept of multitouch gestures, and they are the future of this platform, there is no way around that and in my opinion it's an awesome move.

3. It's different from Snow Leopard. Yeah, that's right, they don't like the new OS because it isn't just like the old OS. Why this is a surprise, I can't figure out. You can't please everybody.

4. Some people just like to whine and complain. The thing could spit gold coins out when you hit the space bar and somebody would gripe about it.

Long story short, if your Mom is an average user and isn't embedded in Snow Leopard already, then switching to Lion now is ideal. This way she can learn it straight away and not have to struggle with a change down the road.

If she does use SL already, then just ask her what she wants to do. Tell her it's free now, or $29.99 later. If she's very comfortable in SL or uses Apps that may not be compatible yet, it may be worth the thirty bucks to wait.

----------



It's a different kind of full-screen in Lion as compared to Windows. The stated concept is you get to maximize the screen real estate, but the real benefit is that the full screen app becomes its own "space" or "desktop". A quick three finger swipe (left or right) on the trackpad and you're moving between multiple multi-tasking apps and desktops. On a 13" laptop this is awesome.

+1 mate!

I have been using Lion after the official released. working super'd with my 4 months old MBP. Love Lion new features.

 

[MultiBat]

+1

I installed on day 1 and love it.
I have not been affected by any bugs and since I haven't followed the forums on the Lion bugs I don't even know what they are...
I think this is the case for the average user.

Full screen is great for the 13" in my opinion due to the somewhat low resolution.
Swiping between the full screen apps is a really nice feature.

The reverse of the two-finger scrolling took about three days to get used to.

Just got back to work today after a four week vacation. I haven't used a mouse for that period and now it feels clunky. I miss my trackpad...

Lion runs beautifully on my 13" MBP, and I really love it. Yes, it has it's little bugs, which is to be expected with a new release, but overall it's excellent.

The question here really is more about your mom. Is she technically savvy? Is this her first Mac?

If she's not tech savvy (as many of our Moms aren't) and especially if this is her first Mac, you SHOULD upgrade to Lion.

You don't want her to get used to using SL and then change everything on her in a month or two. If she's already using SL on another Mac, then this is irrelevant.

The average user will not have an issue with the handful of bugs that are present in Lion.

The people who aren't liking Lion dislike it for a few reasons:

1. It doesn't work with the software they currently run, usually pro apps. This has nothing to do with Lion and everything to do with them not doing the appropriate research before switching. Pro Apps are rarely compatible with new OS software releases, this should be common sense for computer users in 2011.

2. They don't have trackpads. Everything about Lion is based on multitouch gestures. Apple has invested heavily in the concept of multitouch gestures, and they are the future of this platform, there is no way around that and in my opinion it's an awesome move.

3. It's different from Snow Leopard. Yeah, that's right, they don't like the new OS because it isn't just like the old OS. Why this is a surprise, I can't figure out. You can't please everybody.

4. Some people just like to whine and complain. The thing could spit gold coins out when you hit the space bar and somebody would gripe about it.

Long story short, if your Mom is an average user and isn't embedded in Snow Leopard already, then switching to Lion now is ideal. This way she can learn it straight away and not have to struggle with a change down the road.

If she does use SL already, then just ask her what she wants to do. Tell her it's free now, or $29.99 later. If she's very comfortable in SL or uses Apps that may not be compatible yet, it may be worth the thirty bucks to wait.

----------



It's a different kind of full-screen in Lion as compared to Windows. The stated concept is you get to maximize the screen real estate, but the real benefit is that the full screen app becomes its own "space" or "desktop". A quick three finger swipe (left or right) on the trackpad and you're moving between multiple multi-tasking apps and desktops. On a 13" laptop this is awesome.

 

[Ice-Cube]

Glad to hear it so would you recommend a fresh install of Lion instead of just updating it?

I would def recommend a fresh install. When I upgraded to Snow Leopard from leopard, it seemed fine at the beginning but over the months it became buggy and I had to do a fresh install.

A fresh install would seem like a hassle for now but its worth knowing that the chances of something not working is pretty slim compared to an upgrade.

 

[Young Spade]

Meh, I got my new 2011 MBP 2 weeks ago. It shipped with SL.

I'm happy.

Lion has some bugs that need to be worked out and it seems like the OS is harder on the machine than SL is. I'm not really for that. Plus, I doubt all of the applications I have stored on my machine are Lion compatible.

I'll mess around with it tomorrow when I head over to my friends house but, until then (when it's better), I'll stick with SL.

 

[clutchm3]

I would def recommend a fresh install. When I upgraded to Snow Leopard from leopard, it seemed fine at the beginning but over the months it became buggy and I had to do a fresh install.

A fresh install would seem like a hassle for now but its worth knowing that the chances of something not working is pretty slim compared to an upgrade.

Case closed I did a fresh install of Lion, Mother is happy and did not lose any of her work. No programs she needs to be compatible or anything so we are good. Thank you for all the help guys! Will let you know if any bugs appear

 

[Kafka]

FFS just clone your drive and try it...

 

[aniketroxx]

I installed lion on my 13'' MBP i7 and boot times are slow than SL even if i dont leave apps open while shutting down !! I downgraded to Snow leopard for now but i think when 10.7.3 will come out i will use lion !!

 

[grahamnp]

@OP, you can download the Lion install image for free under the up-to-date program and save it for later. Perhaps you won't experience the same issues as many others but you aren't missing out on much by sticking with SL so no harm in using it for now and then upgrading when all the bugs are fixed.

3. It's different from Snow Leopard. Yeah, that's right, they don't like the new OS because it isn't just like the old OS. Why this is a surprise, I can't figure out. You can't please everybody.

You raise some valid points and for the most part, I agree with you. I can't speak for the usage habits of other people but my main issue with what they changed is that it hasn't been changed for the better. Most of it is just different and changing things just for the sake of changing them is well worth whining about.

 

[nepalisherpa]

I did a fresh install of Lion as soon as it came out but, after two weeks, I went back to Snow Leopard. I had sound issues. Every once in a while everything would get choppy. I will go back to Lion after they have few updates out.