Apple unveils bargain-priced Mac OS X Lion as $31.99 download-only app

Peter Dockrill
07 June 2011, 9:35 AM


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In a sign of the times, Apple will be distributing the latest version of its Mac OS X operating system, 10.7 aka Lion, via the Mac App Store as a digital download.


Apple overnight announced that the latest version of its Mac OS X operating system, Lion, will be available next month as a download from the Mac App Store, priced at $31.99. Lion, also known as Mac OS X 10.7, is the eighth version of Apple's Mac OS X operating system and includes more than 250 new features.


Mission Control provides an overview of what's running on your system.

Prominent among these are: a new range of Multi-Touch gestures, designed to give the user a more fluid control experience; native full-screen support for apps (although Windows users will rightfully chortle at "maximise window" being considered a new feature); Mission Control, which provides a high-level overview of all apps, windows and widgets open or running; revised versions of the Mac App Store and Mail; Launchpad, a smartphone-like presentation of apps on your system; and Versions, which provides Time Machine-like multi-iteration restore functionality to documents.


Launchpad gives an iPhone/iPad-style view of your apps.

While the bargain pricing of Lion might at first seem to indicate Apple is trying to severely undercut its traditional OS rival Microsoft (whose Windows 7 pricing in Australia at launch was significantly more costly), the more strident competition Apple is facing these days is likely to come from Google.


Versions provides a Time Machine-like functionality for your documents.

Google's Chrome OS and its recently announced Chromebooks threaten to markedly redefine the conventional computer and OS market by introducing a free lightweight web-based OS tailored to run on notebooks from a number of manufacturers, including Samsung and Acer.


Some of the new Multi-Touch gestures supported by Lion.

To upgrade to Lion from 10.6 Snow Leopard, Mac users running Intel CPUs can simply download OS X Lion from the Mac App Store on the day it becomes available. Controversially, it seems that the software will not be available to purchase separately on disc (which means the user must have an internet connection), and nor will the upgrade path be available to users running Mac OS X 10.5 or earlier (which means those users will need to upgrade to Snow Leopard in order to upgrade to Lion).

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deusexmachina (New user):

Has Microsoft heard of this internet thingy and allow you to download significant upgrades to your OS? Not talking about service packs...

07 June 2011, 10:18 AM (2 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

ss-rotel (User):

but that's the thing... you buy windows, for $130. you install it, you turn on updates, windows decides it needs a better browser, updates pushed IE9, extra cost? $0

you buy a mac, and it has OS X on it. 10.4 say. then there's an UPDATE to 10.5 costs you $32. you have to install it. i can't see how this is better....

I mean, the differences are extreme between XP Vista and W7. OSX is still OSX.

07 June 2011, 11:49 AM (2 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

ss-rotel (User):

OH, and the fact that you can only REALLY install OSX on a mac, regardless of the fact that it's now REALLY an Intel based machine, but if you build a typical PC, and you can install XP, Vista, W7, or any number of linux distros with little to no hastle...

Micro transactions @ it's best

07 June 2011, 11:52 AM (2 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

FostWare (New user):

This is to kill the Hackintosh...

It's harder to patch a download that's signed and upgraded live. Not impossible... just harder.

I'll give it two weeks instead of one.

07 June 2011, 12:30 PM (2 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Tin (User):

Ironically, if Apple ebraced the "Hackintosh", they'd be selling copies to people who want the OS but not the crap hardware (polished turd comes to mind). Sure it would be maybe a 1% share of the already tiny market they have, but extra sales and users is still extra gloating Jobs can do.

Oh, and re the first reply - MS do distribute their stuff online. Just not to you obviously. MSDN subs, students and other customers are able to buy/obtain most of the popular MS software online.

07 June 2011, 12:52 PM (2 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

deusexmachina (New user):

Well thanks for the replies but it was a serious question. I know you have to pay for MSDN etc so it's not like you are getting updates for free...but

@rotel I don't think you can class these as simple updates where you compare these to getting a new version of a browser. You get that automatically thru the software update service on MAC OSX as well and costs you nothing. These are significant updates in the OS functionality even tho they only show up as point releases and you can skip them if you don't think you need it. Was trying to think of the MS equivalent as I think it is more than a Service Pack. I also have no issue with only running OSX on a MAC, kinda why you buy them as you do tend to get more than just the OS which is usually overlooked.

My point was more around the development of the App store as it now applies to all things OS (x and i) and Applications and very much a one stop shop. It just seems to be a concept Microsoft continues to struggle with.

07 June 2011, 3:16 PM (2 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

todd_h86 (New user):

So what about new Macs.... how would restoring work? Say my hard drive failed and I wanted to replace it and reinstall OSX, how is that going to work? Start up the mac in netboot mode and aim for the appstore??

07 June 2011, 9:44 PM (2 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

ss-rotel (User):

no, you install it like any other OS, except the MB Air. That requires a working mac... which is kinda useless

MAC hardware is horibly over priced. but i will admit, most of the software is nicely priced.

and MS tried the AP store thing, but didn't regulate pricing, and it didn't work. They are trying again, with WP7, we'll see how it goes i guess

08 June 2011, 6:31 PM (2 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

deusexmachina (New user):

"MAC hardware is horibly over priced."

Yeah I'll bite...maybe long ago but show me some examples of this 'horribleness' these days...remembering the purchase price of a Mac does include a bunch of useful software...

09 June 2011, 11:21 AM (2 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Tin (User):

"remembering the purchase price of a Mac does include a bunch of useful software..."

Don't forget Windows 7 also includes a bunch of stuff too. And like the stuff Apple includes in the base prices, it's rarely actually used by people.

Base iMac is $1400. The specs are not impressive for that price. Not as bad as they used to be, but still not exactly on par with "reality". Dell have a similar system for $350 less for example.

I have nothing against Apple as such (and would even recommend some of their stuff in certain cases)... But I can't stand the stupid sheep mentality of their "followers" who feel the need to make excuses for Apple or even bow down and worship their cult leader. It's just plain stupid.

09 June 2011, 8:48 PM (2 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

ss-rotel (User):

what tin said

09 June 2011, 8:53 PM (2 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

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