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Low End Mac's Best Deals

Best Mac OS X 10.0, 10.1, 10.2, and 10.3 Deals

2010.01.29 - updated monthly

Tweet these deals. Short link: http://bit.ly/5oiBm

LEM's Mac OS 9 Group is for those using Mac OS 9, either natively or in Classic Mode.
LEM's Puma Group is for those using Mac OS X 10.1.
LEM's Jaguar Group is for those using Mac OS X 10.2.
LEM's Panther Group is for those using Mac OS X 10.3.
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Apple has shipped six major versions of Mac OS X, and on this page we track the older ones: Mac OS X 10.0 (Cheetah) and 10.1 (Puma) from 2001, 10.2 (Jaguar) from 2003, and 10.3 (Panther) from 2003. We'll be tracking 10.4 (Tiger) and 10.5 (Leopard) on separate pages.

All of these versions support Classic Mode, which lets you run Mac OS 9.1 or later (it depends on the version of OS X). For prices on Mac OS 9.1 and 9.2, see our Best Classic Mac OS Prices.

If you're using a PowerBook or iBook, we recommend reading What's the Best Mac OS for Your iBook, PowerBook, or MacBook?

System Requirements

Retro Software has the Mac OS X Public Beta available for $79. This might be of historical interest to some, but it is not a practical choice. The Public Beta is programmed to run until May 15, 2001, so the only way to use it is to set you Mac's clock back and not synch to a time server. I'm not aware of any hacks that overcome this obstacle.

Mac OS X 10.0 requires 64 MB (128 MB suggested) and 800 MB (1.5 GB suggested) of free hard drive space. It is supported on all G3 Macs except for the original PowerBook G3 (a.k.a. Kanga). Can be updated to 10.0.4 using free updates from Apple. Not recommended.

Mac OS X 10.1 requires 96 MB (128 MB suggested) and 1.5 GB of free hard drive space. It is supported on all G3 Macs except for the original PowerBook G3 (a.k.a. Kanga). First usable version of OS X, but very little software, so not generally recommended. Can be updated to 10.1.5 using free updates from Apple.

Mac OS X 10.2 requires 128 MB (256 MB suggested). It is supported on all G3 Macs except for the original PowerBook G3 (a.k.a. Kanga). Can be updated to 10.2.8 using free updates from Apple. Oldest version of OS X to support the Safari browser. Oldest version of OS X we can recommend. See Jaguar Info & Links for more on OS X 10.2.

Mac OS X 10.3 "Panther" requires 128 MB of RAM (256 MB suggested) and suggests a minimum of 1.5 GB (3 GB recommended) of free space on your hard drive. It runs on a G3 iBook, G3 iMac, Blue & White Power Mac G3, PowerBook G3 "Lombard", or later. It can be updated to version 10.3.9 using freed updates from Apple. Can be updated to 10.3.9 using free updates from Apple. Version 10.3.9 includes Safari 1.3.2. Very solid, lots of software, best version of OS X for a lot of G3 Macs, especially older, slower ones. See Panther Info & Links for more on OS X 10.3.

Mac OS X 10.4 "Tiger" requires 256 MB of RAM (512 MB recommended), a G3 CPU, and 3-4 GB of free hard drive space. If you disable Spotlight and Dashboard, you can reduce its memory footprint by about 30 MB, and it will generally run as well on supported low-end Macs as 10.3. This is the last version of OS X to support Classic Mode, and that is only available on PowerPC Macs. Tiger gives you access to much more up-to-date software than any previous version. Recommended. He have a separate price tracker for Tiger.

Best Mac OS X Prices

OS X 10.0.3, $29.99, MacResource
OS X 10.1 upgrade, requires 10.0, $4.95, We Love Macs
OS X 10.1, $19.99, MacResource
OS X 10.2 upgrade, requires 10.1, $29.99, Mega Macs
OS X 10.2 CD, $59.77 shipped, Operator Headgap
OS X 10.2 DVD, $50, FastMac
VERY HOT OS X 10.3 DVD, $50, MegaMacs
OS X 10.3.5 CD, $89, Retro Software
HOT OS X 10.3 CD, 5-user family pack, $119, Retro Software

Best Mac OS X Server Prices

HOT OS X 10.3 Server, unlimited, $130, FastMac

Be sure to factor in shipping costs and possible sales tax.

Unless otherwise noted, there is no surcharge for credit card purchases and shipping is not included. Vendors are listed in alphabetical order. Be sure to visit their sites for full details.

Prices may be limited to quantity on hand. Not responsible for typos. Please email any corrections or additional sources with competitive prices toDan Knight

Buying through some of these links benefits Low End Mac. Buying at these prices benefits you.

Daystar Technologies

Mac OS X 10.3 DVD, OEM + retail backup, $114
Mac OS X 10.3 CD, OEM + retail backup, $114

FastMac

Mac OS X 10.2 DVD, retail package, $49.95
Mac OS X 10.3 CD, $129.95
Mac OS X 10.3 DVD, new, sealed, $69.95
Mac OS X 10.3 Server, unlimited users, $129.95

Hard Core Mac

Mac OS X 10.0 CD, retail package, $179.99
Mac OS X 10.0.3 CD, $39.99
Mac OS X 10.1 upgrade CD, requires 10.0, $15.99
Mac OS X 10.0.3 + 10.1 upgrade, $49.99
Mac OS X 10.1 CD, retail package, $179.99
Mac OS X 10.2 upgrade CD, requires 10.1, $79.99
Mac OS X 10.2 CD, $89.99
Mac OS X 10.2 CD, retail package, $199.99
Mac OS X 10.3 upgrade CD, requires 10.2, $129.99
Mac OS X 10.3 CD, $171.99
Mac OS X 10.3 CD, retail package, $199.99
Mac OS X 10.3 Server, unlimited users, $199.99

Mac-Pro

Mac-Pro collects sales tax on orders shipped within California.

Mac OS X 10.1 update, requires 10.0.x, $19.99
Mac OS X 10.3 DVD, $69.77

MacResource

MegaMacs

Shipping will add $6.50 or more.

Mac OS X 10.2 upgrade, requires 10.1, $29.99
Mac OS X 10.3.3/10.3.4/10.3.5 DVD, OEM, eMac version, said to install on all Macs that support 10.3, $49.99
Mac OS X 10.3.3 DVD, OEM, eMac version, said to install on all Macs that support 10.3, $129.99
Mac OS X 10.3 Server, unlimited users, $149.99

Operator Headgap

When ordering from Operator Headgap, please let them know you heard about them on Low End Mac when entering your shipping information. Thanks!

Mac OS X 10.2 CD, $59.77 shipped
Mac OS X 10.3 DVD, OEM, $119.77 shipped

Retro Software - 10.0 - 10.1 - 10.2 - 10.3

Mac OS X Public Beta, new, $79 (expired May 15, 2001)
Mac OS X 10.0 Server, unlimited users, used, $99
Mac OS X 10.1 CD, used, $49
Mac OS X 10.1 Server, 10 users, used, $109
Mac OS X 10.2 CD, 5-user family pack, used, $129
Mac OS X 10.2 Server, 10 users, used, $99
Mac OS X 10.2.3 Server, unlimited users, used, $199
Mac OS X 10.3.5 CD, used, $89
Mac OS X 10.3, family pack, used, $99
Mac OS X 10.3 Server, 10 users, used, $129

We Love Macs

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