I would never thought of copying the software onto anything. Am I being obtuse? I just keep a record of the key, too - at least I hope I do!
As for the "Lion Migration Utility"...is that mentioned anywhere? These are the kinds of things I would expect to have laid out in a step by step process...so I am glad you all are posting. I will bide my time a little bit and probably rely on my pal Don to give me a hand. I am looking forward to some of the new stuff, however!
Hi
With past changes to a new version of the OS, Apple (like everyone else) issued the new system via a DVD, and you could use that to update your various Macs. As you will have noticed, most everyday software is now issued by download, and they have decided to push forward and do this for the OS too.
It's a large download, about the size of a full size movie. In order to clear space on your drive, when the update is finished the download auto deletes. So if you have multiple Macs to update, or want to keep a copy of the update, just copy it to a DVD or USB stick. Previous updates were $129 or so - so this is pretty good value.
One of the advantages of a DVD was that you could boot from it (insert DVD, restart holding down option key and select the DVD when offered) and do repairs to your core drive. With Lion there is no DVD, but they have added a new utility allowing the same functionality. Well thought out and pretty cool.
As I noted earlier I am going to update a clone of my drive. My backups consist of a clone, a TM backup and then separate backups for photos. So I will just clone my Mac (using free software SuperDuper), then boot from the clone, download Lion, copy it and then install on the clone.
Then I basically can run my MacPro off the clone with Lion installed and play with my stuff and look for issues - and I wll be looking at PS, LR and Nik etc.
I know a bunch of updated machines, no issues. The new OS offers some nice productivity developments and UI refinements, and even stronger security. Nothing that will harm or transform your world, so it's fine to wait for a bit.