What should I know before installing Mac OS X?

Introduced in September 2001, Mac OS X represents the first complete overhaul of the Macintosh Operating System since the introduction of the original Macintosh computer in 1984. It is more than a simple upgrade to classic Mac OS; there are many important changes, including its Unix underpinnings and its new user interface, Aqua. For more information, consult the following Knowledge Base documents:

• What is Mac OS X?
  
  
• Should I upgrade my Macintosh to Mac OS X?
  
  
• For Mac OS X 10.5, what are the system requirements?

Apple is no longer providing updates to versions of Mac OS prior to Mac OS X, and is rapidly phasing out support for these older OSes. However, since Mac OS X will significantly change the way your computer works, UITS strongly recommends that you read Apple's documentation before attempting an install. You can visit Apple's Mac OS X Support page at:

Also see:

• For Mac OS X, what are Quartz and Quartz Extreme?
• For Mac OS X, what is the Classic environment, and how do I activate it?