Will Snow Leopard run on newer MBAs?

[Udi]

Wondering specifically about the Mid 2012 MBA.

Is it possible to put SL on these, or will it reject the install? What about a disk utility image?

Edit - seems that SL has no support for Ivy Bridge CPUs let alone the GPU, so I'm guessing there's no chance.

 

[scaredpoet]

Nope, no chance. I doubt it would even boot without a kernel panic.

 

[old-wiz]

macs will not usually run any version of osx earlier than it shipped with

 

[PBG4 Dude]

You can buy a copy of Snow Leopard Server for $20 direct from Apple over the phone, then run that in a VM. I do this using VMWare on a 2012 MBA.

 

[Altemose]

The MBA has an Ivy Bridge processor, the last ones to run SL were Sandy Bridge. I am not even sure a VM would work since it is Ivy Bridge.

 

[Robyr]

The MBA has an Ivy Bridge processor, the last ones to run SL were Sandy Bridge. I am not even sure a VM would work since it is Ivy Bridge.

You have no clue how a VM functions. It abstracts the hardware, so you can present as what is compatible...

You absolutely positively can virtualize Mac OS X. In fact, it is a major part of my workflow.

 

[Altemose]

I tried it in Virtual Box. It didn't work and wouldn't boot. I know how a VM works but it depends on the program the OP uses. What processor does your Mac use and what program do you use to run SL? Virtual Box will not work!

 

[Robyr]

I tried it in Virtual Box. It didn't work and wouldn't boot. I know how a VM works but it depends on the program the OP uses. What processor does your Mac use and what program do you use to run SL? Virtual Box will not work!

It has worked in VBox for years: http://techventura.wordpress.com/20...-x-snow-leopard-in-virtualbox-4-2-efi-method/

 

[Altemose]

I understand it has worked in VirtualBox for years. I use it alot on a 2010 MacBook running Lion as the host. However, the processor isn't emulated, I don't believe. I want to test this theory! If I am wrong then I owe every one in this forum an apology.

 

[Altemose]

Well I stand partially corrected. VirtualBox will NOT run Snow Leopard as a VM, just as I had experienced before. However, Parallels will run it. I apologize for this confusion. If you are using a 2011 or prior Mac, Virtual Box will run Snow Leopard, after it will not. Parallels will work even on my Ivy Bridge MBP (Mid 2012).