How does Apple's Mac OS X upgrade work?

Question

I am thinking about buying a MacBook around September 10 in order to take advantage of their college student discount deadlined at Sep. 16.

With the release of the Mac OS X v10.5 "Leopard" in October, less than a month from my purchase, I am contemplating waiting to buy it during the release or save around $200+ by purchasing it in September.

Can someone please explain to me if Apple provides a free upgrade from their operating systems? I have heard some people say "the only way to get a free upgrade for Leopard would be to purchase a new Mac within 6 months of it's release" and "unless you purchased Tiger within the last 90 days."

Can someone please clear this up for me and tell me how Apple handles their OS upgrades if I would purchase my MacBook less than than a month from the release of the Leopard?

Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

Any OSX upgrade is just inserting the disc and following the prompts. Anyone can do it.

You'll have to check with an Apple store to see if you can get a free 10.5 upgrade because of buying your computer so soon before the release date.

Answer 2

In the past I believe they have a cut off date (typically 2 to 3 months previous) where you can purchase an upgrade for $20. Updates are free; upgrades in the OS X era are not.

Answer 3

You would probably need to take your apple laptop to a Macintosh retail store so that the techs there can upgrade it for you.