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From finding out what hardware and software you own is compatible with OS X Lion to learning more about new features Apple has added to its latest OS, OWC is the single source solution your need for all your information needs. Check back often as we continue to update this page.

Processor Ready To Prowl?
OS X Lion requires a Core 2 Duo, Core i3, Core i5, Core i7 or Xeon processor to install.


Networking
Tested and Compatible
Sonnet
Aria Extreme N
NewerTech
MAXPower 802.11n/g/b USB Adapter
MAXPower 802.11g/b USB Adapter

Storage
Tested and Compatible
APIOTEK
EC-0003D Dual eSATA
EC-CF3U CF III Adapter
EC-FW2B Dual FW800
EC-UB402 USB 2.0
EC-0002C FW400 & USB
ATTO
R680
R380
UL5D
UL5D Low Profile
Aaxeon
FWB-68300
✓ yes
USB-68001
✓ yes
Areca
ARC-1880X
ARC-1880LP
CalDigit
USB 3.0 SuperSpeed
CalDigit RAID Card
CalDigit RAID Card
FASTA-6GU3
DAT Optic
eSATA_PCIe8
eSATA_PCIe21
EZQuest
2 port eSATA
HighPoint
RocketRAID 2314
RocketRAID 2721
RocketRAID 2744
RocketRAID 2722
RocketRAID 4322
NewerTech
MAXPower eSATA 6G
MAXPower eSATA 6G RAID
OWC
Slim ExpressCard to eSATA
✓ yes
ExpressCard/34 eSATA
✓ yes
FireWire 2-Port
COMBO Dual 1394+USB 2.0
✓ yes
SIIG
NN-EC2012-S1
✓ yes
NN-E38012-S3
✓ yes
NN-EC2012-S1
✓ yes
NN-E20012-S2
✓ yes
Sonnet
Tempo SATA E2P
21 in 1 Media Reader/Writer
Allegro Express USB 2.0
Tempo SATA
Tempo SATA Edge
Tempo SATA Pro
Allegro USB 3.0 PCIe
Allegro USB 3.0 ExpressCard
Tempo SATA E4P
Dual CompactFlash Adapter
Tango 800 PCIe
Presto Gigabit Ethernet
Allegro FW400
FireWire/USB ExpressCard/34
FireWire 800 Pro
Tempo SATA E4i
Tango PCIe
Presto Gigabit Server
Fusion DX800 RAID
Fusion R1600 RAID
Firmtek
SeriTek/6G
Seritek/e6G
SeriTek/2ME4E
Seritek/2SE2-E
SeriTek/2SM2-E
Tested and Compatible
HighPoint
RocketRAID 4311
X Incompatible
RocketRAID 2642
X Incompatible
RocketRAID 2322
X Incompatible
Incompatible
APIOTEK
EC-CR24 24 in 1 Media Reader
EZQuest
Cinema Pro - 0GB
Cinema Pro - 32TB
Sonnet
Presto Gigabit Server

Networking
Tested and Compatible
NewerTech
USB to Display Adapter
OWC
USB to Display Adapter


Expansion Cards & Hubs
Tested and Compatible
Roxio
Toast 11 Pro
Toast 11 Titanium
Popcorn 4

Expansion Cards & Hubs
Tested and Compatible
Adobe
Adobe Master Collection CS5
Adobe Production Premium CS5
Adobe Web Premium CS5
Adobe Design Premium CS5
Adobe Design Standard CS5
Adobe InDesign CS5
Adobe Premiere Pro CS5
Adobe PhotoShop CS5
Some Issues or Not Tested
Avid
Digidesign Pro Tools 9
Tested and Compatible
JoeSoft
Hear

Expansion Cards & Hubs
Tested and Compatible
Equinux
VPN Tracker 6.x
Microsoft
Office 2011 Mac: Home/Student
Microsoft Edition (3 User License)
✓ yes
Office 2011 Mac: Home/Student
Microsoft Edition (Single User License)
✓ yes
Office 2011 Mac: Home/Business
Microsoft Edition (2 User License)
✓ yes
Office 2011 Mac: Home/Business
Microsoft Edition (Single User License)
✓ yes
Incompatible
JoeSoft
Stox by JoeSoft

Expansion Cards & Hubs
Tested and Compatible
Carbon Copy Cloner
Carbon Copy Cloner version 3.4
Alsoft
Alsoft DiskWarrior 4.2
✓ yes
diglloyd
diglloyd Tools Utility Suite
✓ yes
Intech
Intech SpeedTools Utilities 3 Intech Professional Edition
✓ yes
Intech SpeedTools Utilities 3 Intech Professional Edition (w/Lifetime updates)
✓ yes
Micromat
Micromat TechTool Pro 6
Prosoft
Data Rescue 3
Drive Genius 3
Data Backup 3
SubRosaSoft
CopyCatX 5.0
✓ yes
FileSalvage v7.0
✓ yes
Incompatible
ContentWatch
Net Nanny by ContentWatch
Micromat
Micromat DiskStudio
Micromat TechTool Protogo
SubRosaSoft
FileDefense

Networking
Tested and Compatible
Parallels
Parallels Desktop 6
VMware
VMware Fusion 3

 

Get Optimized for OS 10.7 Lion

Resume: This new addition to 10.7 Lion allows the computer to resume all the applications that were running, in the exact state that they were running, once the machine is done rebooting. It is still a good idea to save everything you were working on prior to rebooting. This feature should be helpful in the event your machine freezes or shuts down unexpectedly. (This feature has a checkbox in the reboot and shutdown window so you can choose to disable it.) In testing, this feature was extremely fast, especially when using the OWC Mercury Extreme Pro SSD since SSDs excel at booting and opening applications at nearly instantaneous speeds.

Important Applications and Support Information

Front Row: If you love Front Row for viewing video, photos, podcasts, and music, you'll be sorry to hear it has been dropped from 10.7.

Flash from Adobe: This is how a large portion of the webpages and videos are viewed on the internet. Flash takes advantage of hardware acceleration to deliver High Quality video with minimal overhead. While not a part of the install, Flash is still fully supported & can be downloaded from Adobe.

Spotlight: The release of 10.7 Lion has added the ability to search the internet through the Spotlight window under the web search section. This links directly to the page you are looking for through the dictionary application.

Java's Runtime Environment: No longer a part of the install, Java (JRE) is a universal programming language that allows software and utilities to be compatible across a wide variety of devices. If a Java application is run, Lion will present a prompt to download Java via Software Update. It is also possible to download directly from Sun Microsystems.

Rosetta: This is the program that allows PowerPC software to run in an Intel environment. Example of programs that use Rosetta are Quicken 2007 and earlier, and older versions of Adobe Photoshop. For example, if you are running Creative Suite 2 or older and upgrade to 10.7, CS2 will no longer run. If you run older software or suspect a software program you use relies on Rosetta, check with the software manufacturer before upgrading.