How do you install Mac OS X 10.7 "Lion" if your connection is too slow to install it over the Internet?

As first reported by ComputerWorld -- and confirmed by EveryMac.com with a store visit -- those stuck on dial-up or metered mobile connections can go to a physical Apple Store and use the in-store wi-fi network to purchase and install OS X Lion via the Mac App Store.

Alternately, those with slow and/or expensive Internet connections also can purchase OS X Lion on a USB thumb drive directly from Apple. Unfortunately, the USB thumb drive option costs US$69, a US$40 premium over the US$29 download option, and neither option is available from Apple Authorized Resellers, either.

As first detailed by Cult of Mac, it also is important to note that OS X Lion does not work with an Apple USB Modem, but it does reportedly still work with some third-party options as documented by C|Net. Nevertheless, those dependent on dial-up connections likely would be best served by not upgrading to OS X Lion.

Are there any "hacks" or workarounds to install Mac OS X 10.7 "Lion" from physical media like a DVD-ROM or a flash drive? How do you create a bootable copy of Mac OS X 10.7 "Lion" for troubleshooting?

On August 16, 2011, Apple started to sell OS X Lion on a USB thumb drive, as previously promised, no "hacks" needed. This USB thumb drive has the advantage of not needing an Internet connection to install, troubleshoot, or restore the operating system, and it definitely makes it easier to install the operating system on multiple computers, but it also has three disadvantages:

1. The USB thumb drive costs US$69, compared to just US$29 for the download-only option.
2. The "Recovery Partition" that the OS X Lion download option creates on the Mac's hard drive cannot be used in a troubleshooting situation, so the USB thumb drive will be required for any subsequent issues.
3. This USB thumb drive cannot be modified. Although this prevents the contents from being corrupted, it also prevents it from being updated with system updates and bug fixes.

To create your own bootable backup copy on a USB thumb drive or hard drive, use Apple's own Lion Recovery Disk Assistant, which makes the process essentially foolproof. Note that Apple disclaims "if the computer shipped with Lion, the external recovery drive can only be used with the system that created it" but a Lion Recovery Disk created with a system upgraded from Snow Leopard to Lion can be used with other similarly upgraded systems as well.

In addition to the official Lion Recovery Disk instructions, MacWorld offers an in-depth "hands on" with the utility that you may find helpful, too.

Additionally, as first reported by the now defunct HardMac, if you hold down the option key when clicking to purchase OS X Lion via the Mac App Store, it will download the latest updated version of the software and this up-to-date copy can be used to create a USB thumb drive or hard drive copy for local installation and troubleshooting.

Site sponsor Other World Computing sells an extensive selection of external hard drives for backups.

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