Hardware and Software Requirements

In order to use iCloud, Apple required users to break with past operating systems and start anew with the latest versions of both their desktop (Mac OS X) and mobile (iOS) operating systems. iCloud also works on recent versions of Microsoft Windows, though many iCloud features work best with or require a Mac.

On the Mac, using iCloud requires that you be running Mac OS X 10.7.2 Lion or later . That means that iCloud on the Mac has the same hardware requirements as Lion. A Mac requires an Intel Core 2 Duo, Core i3, Core i5, Core i7, or Xeon processor. For portable machines, that includes most of the Intel-based MacBooks (excluding only the original 2006 model); MacBook Pro (if introduced after October 2006); and all models of the MacBook Air. For desktop machines, it includes the Mac mini (mid 2007 or later); iMac (after September 2006); and all versions of the Mac Pro. Your computer needs at least 2 GB of memory (as usual with a Mac, you’ll get better performance with more memory), and at least 7 GB of available storage space.