A question for the Macolytes

[16k_zx81]

What OS do your Macs leave your workshop with when you do nuke and paves or hard disk replacements?

We like Mountain Lion but wonder if we should use Yosemite because its 'the latest'.

Whats your policy on your OSX variant install and why?

Thanks

Jim

 

[sapphirescales]

People expect the latest and greatest if you don't discuss it with them beforehand. I always give them a choice. They can have the latest and greatest, but it may be prone to more bugs. Or they can go with an older OS that might be more stable because it's been out longer. Most choose to go with 10.8 or 10.9 and upgrade later themselves for free through the app store.

 

[Mainstay]

We give them back the way they came in (only fixed).

If a person requests Yosemite, we will do it, for sure... but most of our customers want consistency, not change.

 

[altrenda]

I recommend the newest, stable version, which right now is Mavericks. Yosemite has some nice features for iPhone and iPad users, but still has a few issues, especially on older machines.

Its always a good idea to wait a few months before updating Macs and iOS devices to let things shake out.

 

[Markverhyden]

LOL!!! Macolytes. Plays right into the "which church do you go to" LOL!!!

No shop. But when I'm doing clean install it depends on the customer situation. The majority of consumers have no special software needs so I'll usually go with the latest version as long as it's not just released. Sometimes you also have to look at the individual circumstances. Elderly users have a hard time with major interface changes. My Dad's iMac, running 10.6.8, tanked a while ago so I set him up with the 2010 MBP I gave my daughter since I could do a TM restore to it.

Businesses are a different situation. Sometimes a newer OS will not support an older app they use such as File Maker Pro, Adobe, etc.

 

[pcpete]

For sake of this question, ignoring licensing issues, other than installing 10.6.8 with a disc, then upgrading to 10.10 via the app store, what other options are there for installing other verision like 10.8 and 10.9?

 

[Markverhyden]

For sake of this question, ignoring licensing issues, other than installing 10.6.8 with a disc, then upgrading to 10.10 via the app store, what other options are there for installing other verision like 10.8 and 10.9?

10.10 is a free install but I have not had an opportunity to see what happens with 10.6.8. In the past with paid upgrades booting into recovery mode would require an Apple ID which would check what was the latest OS purchased. The process would install the latest version purchased.

Can't speak for other tech's but I have bootable images for all versions. Recovery mode on a clean disk requires downloading 4-5 gb, which takes time, so a local installation image is much quicker. But I do adhere to the licensing for what it's worth. So if they want 10.7-10.8 I check to make sure they have purchased it in the App Store. But there is nothing in the local installer process that checks the purchase from what I have seen.

 

[PCX]

The latest that the system can reasonably support.

 

[altrenda]

For sake of this question, ignoring licensing issues, other than installing 10.6.8 with a disc, then upgrading to 10.10 via the app store, what other options are there for installing other version like 10.8 and 10.9?

Mavericks (10.9) and Yosemite (10.10) are Free Upgrades from Snow Leopard (10.6.8) or higher, so there are no licensing issues.

Like Mark, when I previously upgraded my system to Mavericks and Yosemite, I kept a copy of the installer. The app store is the only legal place to get them. I have them on bootable USB's for troubleshooting and to save download time when doing a re-install.

Edit You can still buy Lion and Mountain Lion HERE and HERE

 

[pcpete]

Mavericks (10.9) and Yosemite (10.10) are Free Upgrades from Snow Leopard (10.6.8) or higher, so there are no licensing issues.

Like Mark, when I previously upgraded my system to Mavericks and Yosemite, I kept a copy of the installer. The app store is the only legal place to get them. I have them on bootable USB's for troubleshooting and to save download time when doing a re-install.

To clarify, when I download Yosemite from the app store, I am able to save the installer, where is it? Since 10.9 is no longer in the app store, how could I obtain that installer?

 

[altrenda]

The installer is deleted after the installation.

here is a way to save it. http://www.macissues.com/2014/10/17/quick-tip-save-the-os-x-yosemite-installer/

Sorry misread your question.

If you have a computer that has Mavericks installed, you can re download it from the appstore with that computers Apple ID

 

[gunslinger]

Mavericks. I'll only install Yosemite on request and I always try to talk them out of it.

 

[16k_zx81]

Mavericks. I'll only install Yosemite on request and I always try to talk them out of it.

Whats the issue with Yosemite?

 

[gunslinger]

Whats the issue with Yosemite?

I have seen several issues with Yosemite. So much so that it really feels more like a beta than a finished OS. Kind of like Vista pre SP1. Trusted apps crashing, the OS randomly freezing, black screen, glitches in the UI, features touted not working at all or only sometimes, just to name a few. I'd let Apple issue a few more updates and do some more testing before I could recommend it.

 

[16k_zx81]

I have seen several issues with Yosemite. So much so that it really feels more like a beta than a finished OS. Kind of like Vista pre SP1. Trusted apps crashing, the OS randomly freezing, black screen, glitches in the UI, features touted not working at all or only sometimes, just to name a few. I'd let Apple issue a few more updates and do some more testing before I could recommend it.

Thats so 'un-apple' of them to release a crappy OS.

It confirms some of the stuff we had seen on Forums. Mavericks it is, then. Thanks, all, for the replies.