“Apple’s new version of its Mac OS X operating system, dubbed Tiger, is being touted as the world’s ‘most advanced operating system.’ But does it deliver on its promise? According to Apple, Tiger has more than 200 new features but most of them will be invisible to the average person, while a good number are developer-specific,” Darren Waters writes for BBC News. Waters looks at Tiger’s main features and “some of the smaller changes that could have a big impact on how you use your Mac.”
Waters concludes, “Tiger adds several crucial new features to Mac OS X that every Mac user will benefit from but at £89 for the upgrade it is questionable whether the OS is an essential purchase. Mac OS X remains the most stable and reliable operating system on the market and the new features keep it well ahead of rival Windows XP. PC users switching to a Mac that comes pre-installed with Tiger will be getting the best deal of all, however.”
BBC News asks,” How you switched to Tiger? Is it worth the upgrade? How does it compare to other operating systems?” A comment form is provided on the bottom of the page for readers to answer the questions BBC News poses.
Full article with screenshots here.
Related MacDailyNews articles:
Windows users show strong curiosity about Apple’s Mac OS X Tiger – May 09, 2005
Windows tech writer Thurrott: ‘In many ways, Mac OS X Tiger is simply better than Windows’ – May 07, 2005
EarthWeb: Apple’s Mac OS X Tiger is a ‘serious enterprise operating system, a pivotal release’ – May 06, 2005
RUMOR: Apple to release Mac OS X 10.4.1 Tiger Update by mid to late-May – May 06, 2005
BusinessWeek: ‘Tiger bolsters Mac OS X’s edge as the best personal-computer operating system’ – May 06, 2005
The Guardian: Mac OS X Tiger a powerful solution while Microsoft’s Longhorn remains on drawing board – May 06, 2005
Chicago Sun-Times: Mac OS X Tiger shows ‘there’s never been a more compelling time to switch to Mac’ – May 05, 2005
Dan Gillmor: ‘With Mac OS X Tiger, Apple is plainly in the lead today’ – May 05, 2005
Jupiter Research VP: Apple’s Mac OS X Tiger ‘runs rings around Microsoft Windows’ – May 04, 2005
The Independent: Apple’s ‘faster, smarter, simpler’ Mac OS X Tiger ‘a must-have’ – May 04, 2005
Mac OS X Tiger review for a Windows PC audience finds Tiger’s ‘far, far better than Windows XP’ – May 03, 2005
Longhorn mentioned in nearly every Apple Mac OS X Tiger review to assuage Windows masses – May 02, 2005
Boston Herald: Mac OS X Tiger should compel Windows PC users to think about switching to Apple Mac – May 02, 2005
Mac OS X Tiger will likely improve performance of your Macintosh – April 30, 2005
PC World review gives Apple’s Mac OS X Tiger 4.5 stars out of 5 – April 30, 2005
Forrester analysts: Apple should advertise Mac OS X Tiger on television and in movie theaters – April 29, 2005
Ars Technica: Mac OS X Tiger ‘at least twice as significant as any single past update’ – April 28, 2005
BusinessWeek: ‘Tiger bolsters Mac OS X’s edge as the best personal-computer operating system around’ – April 28, 2005
Associated Press: Mac OS X Tiger ‘provides another excellent incentive to switch from Windows’ – April 28, 2005
Mossberg: Apple’s Tiger ‘the best, most advanced personal computer operating system on the market’ – April 28, 2005
InformationWeek columnist: Apple’s Mac OS X Tiger ‘a compelling upgrade’ – April 28, 2005
NY Times: Apple’s Mac OS X Tiger is the most secure, stable and satisfying OS on earth – April 28, 2005
Windows is weak, Longhorn will be cosmetic upgrade; Apple can deliver killer blow to Microsoft – April 27, 2005
Thurrott: ‘Longhorn is in complete disarray and in danger of collapsing under its own weight’ – April 27, 2005
Wired News: Apple’s Mac OS X Tiger ‘full of welcome surprises’ – April 27, 2005
Thurrott: Longhorn ‘has the makings of a train wreck’ – April 26, 2005
Thurrott: Longhorn demos ‘unimpressive, fall short of graphical excellence found today in Mac OS X’ – April 26, 2005
Apple posts QuickTime movies of Mac OS X Tiger features in action – April 13, 2005
I’ll definitely be getting Tiger, but I won’t be one of the ‘early adopters’.
Probably get on board at X.4.1 or X.4.2, after Apple has smoothed out the initial kinks. Tiger IS a major upgrade…
Really looking forward to it, though.
Yeah Tiger and all that.
My Tiger has arrived in my hands one minute ago. Fingers crossed!
Ditto, Reluctant. My PowerBook is mission critical, my only computer serving both work and personal needs. Trying to decide whether 10.4.1 will be good enough; I guess I’ll read the Tiger message boards after 10.4.1 and see if enough of the issues have been dealt with; if not, I’ll wait for 10.4.2. but…
” width=”19″ height=”19″ alt=”wink” style=”border:0;” />
I HATE the waiting!
One of the BBC comments from readers was:
“I have just upgraded from Panther to Tiger and it has only caused problems. The upgrade broke many applications, including my ADSL modem software, so I was unable to connect to the internet. I wish Apple would do more through beta testing before unleashing its upgrades so quickly. “
Is this just a troll on BBC? what ADSL modem software? I know no one on my entourage with ADSL modem software installed on their OS X machines? Anyone?
iPodder
The Hermstedt USB ADSL modem is confirmed as broken in Tiger. It’s very popular in Europe as a lot of ISPs send you one when you sign up. Their website does say that a driver update will be posted as soon as possible.
Note to everyone : Don’t use USB ADSL modems. More trouble than they’re worth.
I used the “upgrade” feature, rather than doing the archive and install. Having repaired permissions and running scripts (via Cocktail) prior to and just after the switch, I’m amazed to say that it worked perfectly. All my apps and files are there. My third-party apps worked just as before, and (amazingly) my iBook seems ‘snappier.’
Dave H, IPodder
I live in the UK and my ADSL modem no loner works either under Tiger. I have a Thomson Speedtouch 330 (http://www.speedtouch.com/prod330.htm) which is supplied by many ISP’s in the UK and installs connection software and a driver which no longer functions under Mac 0S 10.4, as far as I am aware they know about the issue and are working on it.
Dave H since my ADSL USB Modem is supplied free I’m inclined to use it, instead of wasting money on a new one just for Tiger, maybe it’s “more trouble than they’re worth” but it was free and worked perfectly well in Panther.
I switched to tiger today, as a matter of fact. I’m quite pleased actually. The panther I had before was nice and fluffy, but ran away all the time, so my new tiger is much better. I’ve even toilet-trained him…
Stuart B
Have you ever wondered why they have to give them away?
I only have two bugs, both of which are annoyances rather than problems:
— The weather widget crashes about 85% of the time when Dashboard is initially launched. It immediately relaunches successfully, so the only impact is having to close the crash dialogue.
— The cursor sometimes refuses to change shape when moving between windows. So, for example, it might get stuck as the “link hand” even when it’s pointed at the desktop. Moving the cursor over a window where it’s forced to change shape (e.g. over a brower between text and a link) brings it back to normal.
this isn’t an issue w/tiger or apple, you’re adsl modem not working is an issue w/the maker. it’s not apples responsiblity to make sure their os works w/third party drivers it’s the 3rd parties responsiblity that their drivers and hardware work with the os. the os runs the machine not the modem. i’m sorry if you’re having problems, but follow bscepter’s advice repaire permission at minimum before and after doing the install. also remove all 3rd party devices especially firewire and only have the key board and mouse connected (preferably an apple keyboard and mouse).
not my modem. I have an ADSL ethernet one not a USB ADSL modem.
Did not know with those you had to instal drivers. With mine I simply plug the cable as when I am at work and I am connected. DHCP.
The configuration is via web interface. Can’t be better. Never a problem in years.
I will finally be getting Tiger with the Power Mac I am gonna buy (which should be in a few weeks – just waiting for a bonus). Finally I will be on a G5. I waited 2 years for a G5 Powerbook but can wait no longer so it is back to Desktop land for me with my 667 Tibook kept as my back up and for on the road. After the Power Mac is up and seems all stable I will upgrade the Tibook and my wife’s Flatpanel iMac. I will probably upgrade my Mother in law, father in law, and brother in law (two G4 iBooks and a Mac Mini) at the same time. Then a trip to the states and another upgrading bout with my Mom and two little sisters (G4 eMac, G4 iBook, and iMac G5). So by July my little corner of the Mac Community will be all Tigered out and ready for multi-VidChats.
” width=”19″ height=”19″ alt=”wink” style=”border:0;” />
Magic Word “finally” – go figure