Official Mac OS X Lion USB Install Media Now Available from AppleCare
Don’t want to make a Lion USB install drive or DVD yourself? It’s easier than ever, but if you aren’t up for it, you can now get an official Mac OS X Lion USB recovery drive from AppleCare.
The word is that these Lion USB installer drives will officially cost $69, but some users are eligible to receive the USB drive for free – although we don’t yet know the criteria for receiving a Lion installer key at no charge.
This news and confidential screenshot of AppleCare’s internal system come from 9to5mac. You’ll notice in the image that the AppleCare crafted USB flash drives contain “Lion recovery media” which we presume is Apple Care slang for “Lion re-installer”. There is also a note that the usage of the USB drives “depends on how the customer purchased Lion and what computer they are using” suggesting that not all Macs will be to boot from the drives.
We’ll update with more information as it comes in.
Update: One of the commenters on 9to5mac contacted Apple and was told these USB installers are currently only available in Apple Stores, but will soon be available for individual purchase online from Apple.com
I have a mac mini and I downloaded Lion from the App Store. What do I do if I have a problem and need to re-install Lion?
Thanks
Bad kitty!
I just bought the new Mac mini (2011) and it didn’t come with any installation disks. Do I qualify for the USB media?
Your machine has I self reinstall system if it fails or you put a new hard drive in then the mini with no Os will connect to the web via wifi and load Lion from apple servers.
Same for new Air’s. It will be standard to all machines from now on.
ahahah $4 usb key? i call shenanigans
$69?? a 4GB USB key costs $4 and Lion costs $29! How do they arrive at $69??
assuming all usb sticks are similar
Apple Tax as usual…. Like a iPhone USB cable should cost 20 bucks….
Multiple sources & my personal experience indicate Lion Installer will not fit on a 4GB USB key. A minimum 8GB key is recommended.
Well I believe that the Lion USB key is intended for people that are not yet up to 10.6 Snow Leopard, which is required for access to the Mac App Store. So Snow Leopard for $29 + Lion for $29.99 + cost of 8GB (will not fit on a 4GB) flash drive seems pretty fair to me.