Let’s spend our next couple of times together looking into what you can do to get ready for Tiger, and what Tiger can do for you in terms of making your transition as seamless as possible.

If you’re still using Mac OS 9 full-time, you’re in for a treat (and some “quality time” learning your way around the system). And, quite frankly, you may need a new Mac. The official minimum system requirements for Tiger are: PowerPC G3, G4 or G5 processor; built-in FireWire; at least 256 MB of RAM; and, at least 3 GB of disk space (a minimum installation actually needs a little over 2 GB of disk space). How does this translate to specific hardware? PowerMacs back to the “turquoise” PowerMac G3. PowerBooks back to the PowerBook G3 (with FireWire). iMacs back to the multi-colored slot-loading models. All eMacs. iBooks, even back to the “Tangerine Toilet Seat” models that have FireWire installed.

Do you need a DVD-ROM (player)? Yes, and no. Tiger ships only on DVD. To get Tiger on CDs, you need only: buy the Tiger DVD, then fill out a form and mail it to Apple (actually, a fulfillment company) along with $9.95 (plus sales tax), PLUS the actual DVD you just purchased, PLUS one of the proof-of-purchase coupons. Apple recommends that you make a copy of the DVD, but how do you make a copy of the DVD when you don’t have a DVD burner, which is why you’re ordering CDs in the first place? There’s gotta be a better way.

What can you do to get your computer ready for Tiger? Hey, it’s Spring! How about a little Spring Cleaning, and maybe some “home improvements”? How much cleaning and organizing you do is dependent on how you’re going to make the move to Tiger. If you’re going to do a “Clean Install” of Tiger, you’re going to need to back up all your personal data and preferences, as well as some applications.

Still using your Mac’s original 256 MB of RAM and 20 GB hard drive? Why not install another 256 MB (or more) of RAM to make Tiger really sing? It’s also as-good-a-time-as-any to install (easy on a Mac, of course) a bigger hard drive to handle your burgeoning multimedia collection.

More on Tiger next time.

© 2005 Peter F. Zimowski