Can Mac OS X 10.7.5 "Lion" be installed on a late-2006 iMac?

[King Mustard]

• Intel Core 2 Duo T5600 (1.83 GHz, 64-bit) (1,028 PassMark CPU score)
• 17" display (1440×900)
• 2 GB RAM (DDR2 PC5300 SODIMM 667 MHz)
• 160 GB hard disk drive (SATA, 7,200 RPM)
• Intel GMA 950 (64 MB shared memory)
• 24× combo drive (DVD-ROM, CD-RW)
• Internal AirPort Extreme (802.11a/b/g)
• Gigabit Ethernet
• Apple Remote infrared receiver
• iSight Camera (640×480, 0.3 MP)
• Mini-DVI video out
• 3× USB 2.0 ports
• 2× Firewire 400
• Headphone/digital audio output
• Audio line-in/digital audio input
• Mac OS X 10.6.8 "Snow Leopard"

Wikipedia states, "Maximum operating system: Mac OS X 10.7.5 "Lion". Mac OS X 10.6.8 "Snow Leopard" where < 2 GiB RAM is available."

However, the system has 2 GB RAM.

Software Update shows no updates.

Any ideas?

 

[ferrarr]

Yes, Mac OS X Lion will work on that iMac.

In your other post, it said Lion was already installed? Most here would say Snow Leopard is the better OS, but that is a personal choice. However, Mac OS X Snow Leopard is available from Apple for $20, https://www.apple.com/shop/product/MC573Z/A/mac-os-x-106-snow-leopard.

 

[King Mustard]

Yes, Mac OS X Lion will work on that iMac.

In your other post, it said Lion was already installed? Most here would say Snow Leopard is the better OS, but that is a personal choice. However, Mac OS X Snow Leopard is available from Apple for $20, https://www.apple.com/shop/product/MC573Z/A/mac-os-x-106-snow-leopard.

Why do you think 10.6.8 "Snow Leopard" is better than 10.7.5 "Lion"?

 

[ferrarr]

I wouldn't say that, I only said most here would, because they like to put down Lion for their own reasons. But I liked it when it came out.

 

[harryb2448]

I would say that.

Snboiw Leopard is a much more stable operating system even if old. Running 2GB of memory seriously cripples your iMac.

 

[King Mustard]

I would say that.

Snboiw Leopard is a much more stable operating system even if old. Running 2GB of memory seriously cripples your iMac.

It's the maximum it allows.

 

[Slydude]

This page at OWC MacSales suggests that the max memory for that model is 4 GB. It could be that a higher capacity chip is available now than was available at the time that Mac was released.

 

[pm-r]

Why do you think 10.6.8 is better than 10.7.5 "Lion"?

Because for most users "Snow Leopard" was the much better OS. The "Lion" OS had all kids of quirks and goofy unreliable stuff.

For full specs and capabilities and upgrades for that iMac, checkout:
https://everymac.com/systems/apple/imac/index-imac.html

Specifically it seems:
https://everymac.com/systems/apple/imac/specs/imac-core-2-duo-1.83-17-inch-specs.html


EDIT:
NOTE:

Pre-Installed MacOS: X 10.4.7 (8K1106) Maximum MacOS: X 10.7.5*
Details: *This system can run the last version of OS X 10.7 "Lion" if upgraded to at least 2 GB of RAM. Although it has a 64-bit processor, it has a 32-bit EFI and is not capable of booting into 64-bit mode. It does not support "OpenCL" either. Please also note that OS X Lion is not capable of running Mac OS X apps originally written for the PowerPC processor as it does not support the "Rosetta" environment. This model cannot run versions of OS X newer than 10.7.5 "Lion."

- Patrick
======

 

[King Mustard]

This page at OWC MacSales suggests that the max memory for that model is 4 GB. It could be that a higher capacity chip is available now than was available at the time that Mac was released.

https://eshop.macsales.com/upgrades/imac-17-inch-late-2006-1.83-ghz

Definitely 2 GB maximum.

 

[IWT]

May I add my opinion - it is just an opinion. Snow Leopard was (and for many still is) a very robust OS. Lion was flaky, Mountain Lion much better.

And, yes I agree again, 2GB of RAM will work, but you will find it slow and running more than one or two apps simultaneously, will prove hugely irritatiing to the user.

Then again, it depends what you want from this 12 year old Mac. Fun, maybe. Okay, why not?

Ian

 

[pm-r]

https://eshop.macsales.com/upgrades/imac-17-inch-late-2006-1.83-ghz

Definitely 2 GB maximum.

YUP.

Standard RAM: 512 MB, 1 GB* Maximum RAM: 2 GB
Details: 512 MB of RAM is installed as two 256 MB SO-DIMM modules, no slots free.

https://everymac.com/systems/apple/imac/specs/imac-core-2-duo-1.83-17-inch-specs.html




- Patrick
======

 

[ferrarr]

Because for most users "Snow Leopard" was the much better OS. The "Lion" OS had all kids of quirks and goofy unreliable stuff.

I can understand that, at the time, but now, it shouldn't matter to someone just starting to learn Mac OS X.

 

[pm-r]

I can understand that, at the time, but now, it shouldn't matter to someone just starting to learn Mac OS X.

Gheese Bob, I can't imaging anything more frustrating or discouraging to a new to Mac OS X user than a goofy OS and other strange OS things. Snow Leopard was and still is a pleasure and quite capable OS for many. Why try and suffer trying to be a masochist???




- Patrick
======

 

[ferrarr]

Gheese Bob, I can't imaging anything more frustrating or discouraging to a new to Mac OS X user than a goofy OS and other strange OS things. Snow Leopard was and still is a pleasure and quite capable OS for many. Why try and suffer trying to be a masochist???




- Patrick
======

Well, that is your opinion, many others use it without issues. Let the OP decide for themselves.

 

[pm-r]

Well, that is your opinion, many others use it without issues. Let the OP decide for themselves.

But I would suggest that such users are at least running it on a Mac model that fully supports Mac OS X 10.5.x. It may also depend on what they might be doing with that OS version as well.

Anyway, as you say, at least the OP can try installing and running it if they want. And it's nice to see some keeping the older Mac models running.





- Patrick
======