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got an iPad as a gift and need HELP!

L

lynziwow

macrumors member
Original poster
Oct 5, 2005
39
0
CALIIFORNIA
so all of my wishes came true and I got an iPad for my birthday. Now i'm totally bumming because apparently I need OS 10.5.8 to even use the thing.

I currently have a G5 iMac (the final power pc before the intel changeover) running 10.4.11 and did a google search and can't find where I can download an update for this.

What can I do?

I really don't want to return my iPad. My iMac works fine and I don't think I need a new desktop just to get my iPad up and running.

Any advice would be appreciated.
 
There is no free update to Mac OS X 10.5.x. You either need to buy Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard (the RETAIL version, no RESTORE version) or find a Windows PC with the requirements and use that.
 
Can you suggest a retailer for leopard? It seems like everyone is focused on snow leopard now. And what is a fair price to pay for it?
 
You could just activate the ipad on some friend's computer... and use it independently from there. Not the best option (can't backup apps or update ipad) but it works.

Maybe you could try to install parallels or fusion to run win xp on your computer and maybe install the latest itunes there...
 
lynziwow said:
Can you suggest a retailer for leopard? It seems like everyone is focused on snow leopard now. And what is a fair price to pay for it?
Click to expand...
eBay, but make sure it is the RETAIL version, no restore DVDs (grey). It may go from 50 to 120 and more USD.

pier said:
Maybe you could try to install parallels or fusion to run win xp on your computer and maybe install the latest itunes there...
Click to expand...

Not possible on a PPC Mac. VirtualPC would be an option, but better spend money for Leopard than for this slow piece of crap of software.
 
Thanks for the advice. One last question:

If I connect to a friend's computer just to get it up and running will it be a problem if I eventually install leopard on my own machine and want to sync my iPad to it from that point on?
 
lynziwow said:
Thanks for the advice. One last question:

If I connect to a friend's computer just to get it up and running will it be a problem if I eventually install leopard on my own machine and want to sync my iPad to it from that point on?
Click to expand...
It shouldn't be. It'll need to sync to your new library though which will remove any music, videos, apps, etc., added elsewhere.
 
lynziwow said:
Thanks for the advice. One last question:

If I connect to a friend's computer just to get it up and running will it be a problem if I eventually install leopard on my own machine and want to sync my iPad to it from that point on?
Click to expand...

Shouldn't be an issue as the iPad is tied not to a computer but to an iTunes account (so you need to use your iTunes account to activate the iPad, not your mates).
 
You can even have the Apple Store "start" it for you. They'll connect it to one of their computers and you'll be good to go.
 
If you want to activate using a friends computer you can load up iTunes in an activation only mode - search the apple support for how to do this. Then your iPad won't be linked to their iTunes account
 
I think Apple still sells Leopard directly if you call 800-MY-APPLE for $125 brand new. Better than paying some of the crazy prices on eBay, etc....
 
pier said:
You could just activate the ipad on some friend's computer... and use it independently from there. Not the best option (can't backup apps or update ipad) but it works.

Maybe you could try to install parallels or fusion to run win xp on your computer and maybe install the latest itunes there...
Click to expand...

Even with an activated iPad you need Leopard with your iTunes.
 
Update:

Went to the Apple store and got my iPad up and running so I'm sending this to ya'll from my magical device :)

I suppose I will need to bite the bullet and purchase Leopard for the sole purpose of synching/backing up my iPad. I also have a 3GS so it would be nice to have all my apps on the new pad as well.

The best deal I've found so far for Leopard is $129 (the original retail price) through a 3rd Party here in San Francisco. Unfortunately, Apple no longer sells it themselves.

Is this a fair price for somewhat obsolete software? Just seems like a lot of money to me for a somewhat simple task, especially when Tiger would work just fine for me except in this one instance.

Any kind MR members out there willing to sell me their old Leopard install discs because you're running snow leopard now anyways? I'm just somewhat cautious about buying them off craigslist due to possible fraudulent authenticity. Prices on craigslist are still around $90 too according to my searches.

Thanks in advance!
 
lynziwow said:
Update:

Went to the Apple store and got my iPad up and running so I'm sending this to ya'll from my magical device :)

I suppose I will need to bite the bullet and purchase Leopard for the sole purpose of synching/backing up my iPad. I also have a 3GS so it would be nice to have all my apps on the new pad as well.

The best deal I've found so far for Leopard is $129 (the original retail price) through a 3rd Party here in San Francisco. Unfortunately, Apple no longer sells it themselves.

Is this a fair price for somewhat obsolete software? Just seems like a lot of money to me for a somewhat simple task, especially when Tiger would work just fine for me except in this one instance.

Any kind MR members out there willing to sell me their old Leopard install discs because you're running snow leopard now anyways? I'm just somewhat cautious about buying them off craigslist due to possible fraudulent authenticity. Prices on craigslist are still around $90 too according to my searches.

Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...

Maybe you can find an Upgrade DVD on eBay, they cost around 10€ (it did for me). They work for every Mac I suppose, it did at least for my iMac and didn't seem model specific, one only needed a Tiger installation.
 
lynziwow said:
Update:

Went to the Apple store and got my iPad up and running so I'm sending this to ya'll from my magical device :)

I suppose I will need to bite the bullet and purchase Leopard for the sole purpose of synching/backing up my iPad. I also have a 3GS so it would be nice to have all my apps on the new pad as well.

The best deal I've found so far for Leopard is $129 (the original retail price) through a 3rd Party here in San Francisco. Unfortunately, Apple no longer sells it themselves.

Is this a fair price for somewhat obsolete software? Just seems like a lot of money to me for a somewhat simple task, especially when Tiger would work just fine for me except in this one instance.

Any kind MR members out there willing to sell me their old Leopard install discs because you're running snow leopard now anyways? I'm just somewhat cautious about buying them off craigslist due to possible fraudulent authenticity. Prices on craigslist are still around $90 too according to my searches.

Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...

I have full leopard disks somewhere but I have no idea where. I think they are the full retail universal disks. I will try to scour the warehouse this evening for you.

Cheers,
 
call apple customer service

You can still get the retail version from Apple directly. You don't have to buy from 3rd party or online.

Call Apple and tell them you got an iPad and it needs Leopard. If the person is clueless, askt to talk with a different customer support person.

I have the G4 iMac, and I bought Leopard from Apple directly.
 
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