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How can I obtain original install disks for an Early 2011 13" i7 MacBook Pro?
I bought a refurb an Early 2011 13" i7 MacBook Pro. It came with Lion installed but I want to use SL for now. To be sure the MBP will run 10.6.8 I used a clone of my MacBook HD, that has 10.6.8 on it, and the MBP started just fine. But I would like to have the original install disks because that the MBP originally shipped with 10.6.6 and some other software.
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Your local Apple Store . . . ?
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Call Apple and ask for them.
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Yup, call Apple. Chances are, you can get them for free in your situation. If not, they'll charge you about $30/disc (and there's probably two discs).
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I called Apple for the "original discs" - well they sent me a drop in DVD of Snow Leopard 10.6.3. The disc wouldn't even boot up my 17' MBP (early 2011). I explained to them that I bought a refurb on purpose as some of my music production programs weren't LION ready and needed Snow Leopard. I was surprised that the refurb didn't come with original discs, which the laptop originally shipped with. The Apple Phone Rep had to clear it with his supervisor, I was hoping the DVD disc would have been 10.6.6 or above as that would boot the laptop to install Snow Leopard. The Rep also gave me the $30 dollar a piece line... however I told him I just paid over 2000 for a refurb and in the past it came with the start up discs.
I updated a drive to 10.6.8 using my Mac Mini and the new start up drive boots my MBP with no problem.
