Mac OS X Lion now available on USB thumb drive for $69

Apple is now selling its updated Mac OS X Lion operating system as a $69 thumb drive.

The device is currently shipping within one to three business days.

"OS X Lion is available on a USB thumb drive for installation without the need for a broadband Internet connection," Apple said on its Web site. "Just plug the drive into your USB port and follow the instructions to install."

Lion is also available via a $29.99 download from the Mac App Store, but for those with slow Internet connections who don't want to wait for a 4 GB download, the thumb drive is a workable alternative. Buyers with speed issues can also visit an Apple Store, where an employee will install it in-house.

The simplest way is get Lion, however, is via a direct upgrade from Snow Leopard, provided you're running version OS X 10.6.8. Users also need the recently released Migration Assistant Update for Snow Leopard, which provides enhancements that will ensure a smooth transition to Lion.

Mac OS X Lion made its debut on July 20, exclusively via the Mac App Store, a first for Apple. With 24 hours, the company had sold more than a million copies of the OS.

This article, written by Chloe Albanesius, originally appeared on PCMag.com and is republished on Gear Live with the permission of Ziff Davis, Inc.