iPad and Leopard 10.5

D

DesignDirector

Registered
I just bought an iPad and it asked me to sync with iTunes. My computer is currently running 10.4.11, so it won't do it. Here are my specs:

Machine Model: PowerMac6,1
CPU Type: PowerPC G4 (3.3)
Number Of CPUs: 1
CPU Speed: 1.25 GHz
L2 Cache (per CPU): 256 KB
Memory: 768 MB
Bus Speed: 167 MHz
Boot ROM Version: 4.6.8f4

My question is twofold. 1) do I need to update to 10.5 and sync with iTunes in order to get the iPad to work? I really don't care if it has music on it or not, I need it for Web surfing when I travel.

2) If it is mandatory that I sync for it to work, can my computer be upgraded to Leopard 10.5? Thank you in advance for any help, as I am not a tecchie.
 
DesignDirector said:
...

My question is twofold. 1) do I need to update to 10.5 and sync with iTunes in order to get the iPad to work? I really don't care if it has music on it or not, I need it for Web surfing when I travel.

2) If it is mandatory that I sync for it to work, can my computer be upgraded to Leopard 10.5? Thank you in advance for any help, as I am not a tecchie.
Click to expand...
You seem to have asked the same question twice or am I missing something? The Apple Store will setup iPads so that their owners can get immediately to work. So the answer to your question is obvious--you don't need to sync it in order to use your iPad. However, you will need to use an iTunes installation to secure new software, install updates, and whatnot. Without these abilities, your iPad can be used but you can't use it for much. As you very well know, MacOS X 10.5 is the oldest version of the OS that will allow you to manage your iPad.
 
Thank you. Looks like I am going to have to update to Leopard. I just wasn't sure my current Mac was upgradable, hence the specs and question #2.
 
Your Mac will work fine with Mac OS X 10.5 - here are the system requirements for 10.5. I just wish they would have 10.5 discs for sale for the same price as 10.6 goes for...
Maximizing the amount of total RAM will make it seem much faster though - so that may also be something to look into in the future. But how much worth that will be depends as well on how you use your computers and the iPad. If iPad will do most of the things one the road then that may not be worth the upgrade. Oh and welcome on the boards. :)
 
Thanks! I found this board after a lot of Googling to get more info on the software. I called an Apple store near where I'll be this weekend and they told me I could get an upgrade to 10.6 with all the other upgrades in-between for $169. Not sure I want to pay that much if I can continue to update my iPad by plugging into any computer that's on 10.5. We have several at work. Then again, I worry about software updates as someone else mentioned. I would hope I could get them from any computer, not my home one, if I needed them.
 
You cannot upgrade a G4 to 10.6 - it's not possible, 10.6 requires an intel processor. 10.5.8 is the highest that you can go
 
Ahhh....they didn't tell me that. Thanks so much. I might explore the possibility of buying Leopard 10.5 if I do decide to upgrade. Lots of people selling it on Ebay and Amazon, but I've read there are different discs to look out for... the grey ones won't work, the ones with the logo will, etc.
 
Yep, I guess the sales persons assumed you had an Intel based Mac. G4, G5 (and G3) are PPC-based - therefore the maximum of 10.5.

The retail disc sets will work. Those are black in color.
The discs that are gray are CPU-specific, and will install only on some specific hardware. (But even those will have the Apple logo). So just ignore all discs that aren't black.
 
I am trying to upgrade to leopard as well - I called the 800# on the apple website and talked to an apple care specialist - they can get you leopard for 129.00

be sure to talk to apple care - the sales assoc. that answers the phone probably won't be able to find the 10.5 OS (I think they just do the normal searches that you would do on the website.
 
Yep, the sales people don't get much (if any) technical training there. And the tech support can sell you anything Apple store sells. In case of technical questions before ordering, definitely better ask first (here of course too, but if you need to call them, might as well do AppleCare).
 
I got the upgrade, I am going to wait until sometime this weekend when I have plenty of time to do it in order to make sure I'm doing everything properly. I've read that I should only do the "upgrade" not a full install, correct? I'm going to move all critical info to my external drive before upgrading, just in case.

Also, are off-site backup companies online a good way to store information? I've seen commercials for several, would like to know if anyone uses one and if you're satisfied with cost, customer service, etc.
 
When upgrading from 10.4 to 10.5, always use the option to Archive & Install. That will prevent the annoying habit that Leopard has which changes an admin account to a standard user. You would find that inconvenient, especially if you have only one account.
 
Thank you everyone for your advice and help. Installation went flawlessly, everything's working great. Again, you're a great resource for those of us who are not as well-seasoned in the technical aspects of our Macs.
 
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