I downloaded OS 26 today. I paused for a moment when I saw it was over 15 gigs for both the MacBook Air and Mac Mini. It made me think of the days when OS updates came on DVD.
I recall visiting the Apple Store to buy the OS update on a DVD. And I found they’re still for sale on eBay. These days I use CD and DVD for coasters!
It made me wonder about DVD and the size of the update.
Gemini: A DVD’s capacity varies, with a single-layer DVD holding 4.7 GB (gigabytes) and a dual-layer DVD holding 8.5 GB. There are also double-sided DVDs, which have data on both sides, and some formats can hold even more, such as a double-sided, dual-layer DVD with a capacity of around 17 GB.
I think DVD for OS started around the 00’s. I got my first CD drive in 1996. I got it in New York after the Atlanta Olympics and brought it back to Australia with me.
16 September 2025