Bought new mac, do I own OSX Mountain Lion?

I have a macbook air computer that is running osx snow leopard. I just bought a new mac mini that has osx mountain lion, so do I still have to buy osx mountain lion from the app store to update my macbook air? I would think since I own my mac mini which has osx mountain lion that I should be able update my macbook air free of charge.

Since you already have a copy of Mountain Lion (pre-installed) you can install a copy on your MBA without having to purchase it again.

I'm in the process of setting up my new mac mini with mountain lion. So once I register this new computer with mac osx mountain lion under my mac ID, I can just log into App store on my macbook air and download mountain lion osx?

If that's true, I'm stoked! Saves me $20.

schulzey said:

...I can just log into App store on my macbook air and download mountain lion osx?

Click to expand...

I don't think so…since you technically never purchased ML from the Mac App Store. You simply have ML because it came pre-installed on your new Mac-Mini.

What I'm saying is. If you logged into the Mac App Store using your Apple ID…I do not believe that ML will show up in your "previous purchases"…since you have not purchased ML previously.

- Nick

I'm with Nick.

Be prepared to outlay that $20 or stay with Snow Leopard.

@schulzey:

See the following Apple Discussion Topic at this LINK. I believe it will help.

chscag said:

@schulzey:

See the following Apple Discussion Topic at this LINK. I believe it will help.

Click to expand...

Exactly what I was thinking. ML needs to be purchased at least once thru the Mac App Store…then a bootable installer made (such as a USB stick)…then ML can be installed on multiple Mac's owned by the user.

- Nick

Don't know what's happening right now, but can tell you that I was able to install Lion on 2 machines, a MB and a MBP after purchasing a MBA that already had it installed after registering it with my Apple ID.

Could be a hole they closed pretty quickly.

bobtomay said:

...after registering it with my Apple ID.

Click to expand...

Maybe this is the "trick" to the situation. If a newly purchased computer can be registered with the Mac App Store using an active Apple ID...then I could see how that would work as far as additional free downloads of ML...since the OS (ML) on the new computer could then be considered a "previous purchase".

- Nick

Don't remember for sure, but I probably downloaded it on the MBA and put it on a USB stick as a backup and used that to install on the other 2 machines.

I remember having this discussion with a few members when Lion was released. It seemed to me at the time that Apple's intent was to allow you to run the newer OS on the newly purchased machine but purchase a separate copy which could be used to update other machines you owned.

Keep in mind though that I am not a lawyer nor do I play one on TV. My legal advice and a couple of bucks might get you a cup of coffee if you don't spring for one of the fancy ones.

On the new (June) iMac, ML was a free download from the App Store after registering and supplying serial number, received codes to activate the download. At the time was advised the download was suitable for this iMac only.