App Store only sells latest OS X version? Can't get Lion 10.7 anymore?

I have a MacBook model A1181, 2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 2GB memory. It's running Snow Leopard, and running fine including speed wise. I want to upgrade to make use of iOS simulator and XCode 4. Saw that App Store has only the newest 10.8 Mountain Lion for upgrade, and saw a few reviews saying it slowed down their Macs, even w/ 16GB memory, wonder what it will do to my machine.

I would prefer to get 10.7 Lion. Any way to get that anymore, maybe at Apple Stores? Or am I out of luck and have to go to 10.8 if I want to upgrade? Too bad I should have upgraded sooner when 10.8 wasn't out yet.

Update: looking around online, looks like my Mac may not even quality for requirements for 10.8, but 10.7 should be ok.

Solution 1:

It is still possible to purchase 10.7 for installing/upgrading on your mac, see my answer at question Can we still upgrade to OS X 10.7 now that 10.8 is out?:

Although you can no longer buy Lion through the App Store or directly by SKU from the online store, you can still order Lion after Mountain Lion was released.

I called 1-800-MY-APPLE, it took some time to get through but they told me that I would be able to purchase Lion, OSX 10.7 from them for $19.99. They would send me the physical copy through the mail.

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