Newbie and upgrade to OS 10.4.9

Hi all,
OLD mac user here. Not current with the latest OS versions. I'm trying to help my mother-in-law with her computer. Here's the deal.

She has a mini-mac running OS X 10.3.5. I bought 2008 Microsoft Office for Mac. But it needs at least OS 10.4.9 to run it. I thought all the OS upgrades were free, but guess I'm mistaken.

What do I need to get to 10.4.9 from 10.3.5? I'm confused with all the names out there--Tiger, Lepoard, etc. Can't I just download it from Apple?

Thanks so much for anyone who can help me help my dear mother-in-law.

J-man

P.S. I already opened the Microsoft Office package, so I can't take it back.

G'day and welcome to the Forums. Not good news I am afraid.

Updates are free, upgrades are not in any operating system whether it be Apple or Windows.

You need to purchase OS X.4 Tiger retail install DVD, and then update that over the 'net to 10.4.11. Have a look at auction sites such as eBay and make sure the copy you buy is the full retail install version and not a model specific system rest6ore disc.

upgrade to 10.4.9

Harry B wrote:
<<purchase OS X.4 Tiger retail install DVD, and then update that over the 'net to 10.4.11>>

Thanks for the info. I appreciate it.
Would it be easier to just get a copy of 2004 Microsoft Office, purchase OS X.5 Tiger and not worry about the update? Would the 2008 slow the system down more than the 2004 version?

Thanks again for your input,
J-man

OS X 10.5 is Leopard.

I have 2004 and I like it just fine. I guess it's up to you what you want to do really. If word 2008 for mac is the same as it is on a PC I personally wouldn't use it. I've found it rather counter-intuitive - it's not got the same toolbars and layout and things as previous versions. You know when it just feels different? And it's more like learning to use a new program than updating what you've already got.

On the other hand, if you've bought 2008 you may as well use it now!

But yeah, to upgrade to 10.4 or 10.5 you need a Tiger or Leopard DVD, then just download the system updates before you install Office. It's not a big deal, you just run software update, click yes when it tells you to, wait while it does it's thing and restart.

Your mileage may vary, but running Office 2008 on a PPC chipped Mac is just plain miserable. Is there any way to return it and find a copy of Office 2004?

10.3 Jaguar
10.4 Tiger
10.5 Leopard

No point upgrading to the version that isn't the latest version. I'd just pay the £80 and upgrade to Leopard.

Isn't 10.3 Panther?
10.2 is Jaguar.

Ya know I read that list and it didn't hit me, good catch skaheadpunk!
Now for the bar trick:
10.0 is Cheetah
10.1 is Puma

Sherman Homan said:

Ya know I read that list and it didn't hit me, good catch skaheadpunk!
Now for the bar trick:
10.0 is Cheetah
10.1 is Puma

Click to expand...

Apparently (according to Wikipedia!) they've also trademarked 'Lynx' and 'Cougar'...

What a great forum. Thanks to all who put their 2 cents in.
J-man