Lion Installer: A Convenient Solution for Mac Users

Apple's Internet Recovery feature has been a valuable tool for Mac users since its introduction in 2011. This built-in recovery mechanism allows users to troubleshoot and recover their Macs without the need for external media or USB sticks. But what happens when your hard drive completely fails, leaving you with no way to access Lion Recovery? Apple has thoughtfully provided a solution for this scenario as well.

Lion Recovery: A Hidden Partition

All those capabilities are provided regardless of the state of your OS X Lion installation because Lion Recovery resides on a hidden partition as a separate software entity. This means that even if your hard drive fails and you need to replace it with a blank volume, you can still access Lion Recovery and use its features to restore your Mac from a Time Machine backup, run Disk Utility to check, repair or erase your hard drive, or get help from Apple Support online.

Invoking Lion Recovery

To access Lion Recovery, simply hold down the Command-Shift-R keys during startup. This will invoke the 'Lion Internet Recovery' mode, which allows you to download and start Lion Recovery directly from Apple's servers over a broadband internet connection.

Alternative: The Lion Installer on USB Key

For those who prefer a more traditional approach, Apple is offering the Lion installer on an 8GB USB key for $70. However, most users will likely find this unnecessary given the convenience of Internet Recovery and its ability to re-install itself over the internet.

In conclusion, Lion Recovery provides Mac users with a convenient solution for troubleshooting and recovering their computers, even in the event of a hard drive failure. Whether you choose to use Internet Recovery or purchase the USB key, having access to these features can be a lifesaver when disaster strikes.