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How hard is it to put an OS onto a MacMini I'm looking to purchase off of Cowboom. Its a mid-2007 MB138LL/A. I guess I need to know which OS I can install and is it as easy as putting the disc/thumb drive in? Thanks in advance. The mini has 4gb--assuming it has been wiped clean.
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Total posts: 6 (Showing page 1 of 1)
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Answer Best answer as chosen by user brandonbecker0728
It is generally as easy as putting in the DVD,
by mrmacfixit 
- 5/31/12 4:59 AM
In Reply to: Mac Mini off Cowboom-no OS by brandonbecker0728
but, you also need a copy of Mac OS X.
You'll need 10.3 or 10.4 for that machine.
Only a 4Gb drive? Sounds a little small for a 2007 Mac Mini.
That machine came in two versions, 1.83 and 2.0 GHZ with an 80GB or 120GB hard drive.
Not only has the drive been wiped clean, it has been replaced.!
Original OS version was 10.4
Be careful!
P
Sorry-should have been more specific--
by brandonbecker0728 - 5/31/12 1:10 PM
In Reply to: It is generally as easy as putting in the DVD, by mrmacfixit
The specs are 1.83GHz 4GB 200GB DVD/CDRW. So I would have to get a hold of a copy of 10.4--install that first THEN upgrade to snow leopard or lion? Sorry--I want to make sure I do this the right way before I start putting this together. I was hoping to install Snow Leopard or Lion without having to install 10.4....if there is no OS on the machine--maybe that's me being a newbie at this. Thank you in advance.
I very much doubt you are going to
by mrmacfixit - 5/31/12 1:59 PM
In Reply to: Sorry-should have been more specific-- by brandonbecker0728
Lion with this machine.
Not enough legs for Lion and possibly sluggish performance with Snow Leopard
10.4.11 or 10.5 is about as far as you can comfortably go.
It is an old machine.
P
Thank you for your help--
by brandonbecker0728 - 5/31/12 4:33 PM
In Reply to: I very much doubt you are going to by mrmacfixit
The goal with this machine is to use it as a media center--play dvd's, listen to music and watch Netflix/Hulu/Amazon Prime. I'm not going to be running any heavy applications on it--use safari from time to time--store photos/music etc. If I buy Snow Leopard--a wireless keyboard--wireless mouse--would it be worth my sub 300$ investment or should I pack it up and ship it back?
You "might" get Snow Leopard to install
by mrmacfixit - 6/1/12 4:55 AM
In Reply to: Thank you for your help-- by brandonbecker0728
on that machine. Sometimes it is a crap shoot as to whether SL will install without Leopard being present.
Go with a generic USB keyboard and mouse, to minimize expense until you know that SL is installed.
Then switch to wireless if you want to.
P
Total posts: 6 (Showing page 1 of 1)
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