| Rockies list,
With another OS X update on the horizon, it's time to outline the patterns of the past so that you can best prepare for what's coming and how to ensure your IT strategies with OS X go forward with the least amount of disruption possible.
Back in June, Apple announced that OS X 10.9 Mavericks would ship this fall. While this fall doesn't technically end until December 20 of this year, we are obviously in the fall season now. With that in mind, here's what has historically been the pattern regarding Apple hardware and new OS X releases.
1. New OS X version is shown and tested in beta form 2. New OS X version is announced as "available on <specific date>" 3. New OS X version becomes available on said date 4. All existing hardware continues to ship as is, and that hardware can run both the existing version of OS X and the new version of OS X. 5. One or more hardware categories gets updated, whether it be a new hardware design or little more than a speed/component increase. 6. Once that hardware update occurs, even if it happened just a few days after that new version of OS X became available, that new hardware runs ONLY that new version of OS X. 7. Soon after, the previous version of OS X is no longer available for purchase, tax free, in the education channel. Keep in mind that you can still download your purchase history in the App Store, which includes OS X 10.7 Lion (if you bought it).
In my 13 years at Apple, I've not seen any deviation from that pattern. Is this a prediction of the future? No, especially since we field employees continue to know nothing when it comes to new product announcements. However, if we can assume that that pattern will continue, there are a couple of things that can be done now, or may at least require your attention.
1. Do you need additional licenses of OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion? If you'd like to standardize on that OS X version throughout this school year and beyond, securing those copies now for current hardware is a great idea. For example, if you have 1,000 systems and only 200 are on Mountain Lion, are you okay with having 800 Lion and 200 Mountain Lion systems for the long haul? If so, great! If not, it might be best to purchase your remaining licenses so that you can sit on 10.8 as long as you decide.
2. Do you have a fall/winter lab, cart, or larger purchase coming up that MUST run OS X 10.8 and absolutely cannot run OS X 10.9 until you've further tested? If so, then pulling that purchase in before 10.9 ships is also a great idea.
If you have questions about any of this, please reach out to Mike (K12) or myself (HiEd) and we'll be glad to discuss further.
Thanks,
Corey
Corey Carson Systems Engineer, Apple Education
Apple Inc.
(303) 746-1634
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