There are several reasons why Apple Macs are taking market share from Microsoft Windows PCs, “including the security problems in the dominant Windows platform from Microsoft; spillover from Apple’s blistering success with its iPod music players; the fact that Macs can now run Windows programs; and Apple’s highly successful chain of company-owned retail stores,” Walter S. Mossberg reports for The Wall Street Journal.
“But another key factor has been the Mac operating system, called OS X, which came out in 2001. It has proved to be as powerful and versatile for mainstream consumers as Windows, yet easier to use and more secure. And Apple has upgraded OS X far more rapidly than Microsoft Inc. has upgraded Windows, bringing out major new releases roughly every 18 months, while Microsoft struggled for more than five years to produce the latest Windows iteration, Vista, which came out in January,” Mossberg reports.
“On Friday evening, Apple will release yet another new version of OS X, called Leopard, to replace the current version, known as Tiger. I’ve been testing Leopard, and while it is an evolutionary, not a revolutionary, release, I believe it builds on Apple’s quality advantage over Windows. In my view, Leopard is better and faster than Vista, with a set of new features that make Macs even easier to use,” Mossberg reports.
“Every piece of software and hardware I tried on two Leopard-equipped Macs — a loaned laptop from Apple and my own upgraded iMac — worked fine, exhibiting none of the compatibility problems that continue to plague Vista. My old Hewlett-Packard inkjet printer, for which Vista lacks the proper software, worked instantly in Leopard, even over the network. And, unlike with Vista, it was able to print on both sides of the page. I popped my old Verizon cellphone modem card into the test Leopard laptop and it worked, too, with no software installation or tweaking,” Mossberg reports.
“Leopard isn’t a must-have for current Mac owners, but it adds a lot of value. For new Mac buyers, it makes switching even more attractive,” Mossberg reports.
Mossberg’s video review:
Full article here.
“Better and faster than Windows Vista” isn’t saying much. That’s like saying any new car is better than a recently Earl Scheib’ed Yugo. Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger — and, for that matter, Mac OS X 10.3 Panther, Mac OS X 10.2 Jaguar, and even Mac OS X 10.1 Puma — are already better and faster than Vista.
Still, overall, it’s a nice review from Mossberg who, in saying that Leopard isn’t a “must-have” for current Mac owners, is really praising the quality of Mac OS X Tiger.
Regardless of Uncle Walt’s opinion, Leopard is most certainly a “must have” for us as we strongly believe that it adds far more than US$129 worth of value to our Macs.
I think what he meant to say was Mac OS 10.2 Jaguar is better and faster than Vista.
I just got my shipment notice from Apple and FedEx, so I should have it at my house tomorrow! WooT!
For any designer, the way you can look at your images in the finder is alone easily worth the cost. And time machine, wow.
I’m finishing work at 4pm tomorrow, travelling down the M56/M60 to the Trafford Centre and should (traffic permitting) be at the Store for 5:30pm…
I just hope there are no queues. Unlikely, but I can always hope.
BRING IT ON!!!!
XP is better and faster than Vista
Win 2000 is better faster than XP
Another load of crap review from somebody who doesn’t know better. The best part is the one MAC lemming where I work will be sending me this review in e-mail, then at lunch he’s going ask me if I read it. I’ll tell him that I don’t have time for toys but I did forward the review to the IT staff and I could hear them laughing from down the hall.
This particular MAC lemming keeps asking IT for a MAC and they always turn him down. It’s priceless. If he thinks this Leopard, or Pussy or whatever is going to change their minds he’s kidding himself. What’s the point? It looks like a cheap Vista anyway.
Your potential. Our passion.™
Walt. No matter how much better the Mac stuff is, he can’t quite give it full praise.
This is a MUST have upgrade.
He is still a cool dude though.
..better than Vista….
NO shit Moss!!!!
It was a “must have” for me until Apple upped the minimum system requirements to 866 MHz. Oh well, I really need to go to Intel anyway. I just can’t afford it yet.
Many thought that OS 9 was better and faster than Cheetah.
Do we know the namem for 10.6 yet?
Heh my Yugo still runs…..
“in saying that Leopard isn’t a “must-have” for current Mac owners, is really praising the quality of Mac OS X Tiger.”
That’s reaching
Is there yet a comparison of 10.4.10 to 10.5.0? What are the benefits of upgrading first?
Will probably wait for 10.5.2
Just received a email — CompUSA will have Leopard for sale Friday @ only $99!!!
“Many thought that OS 9 was better and faster than Cheetah.”
And I really miss extension conflicts and hard freezes.
“Many thought that OS 9 was better and faster than Cheetah.”
Does that mean Vista equals to 10.0 and the next iteration of Vista would equal to 10.1? Which means PC users must wait for the next update?
Too bad it wont come out until 2012.
wow, thanks for he MDN take, i was going to say, “setting the bar pretty low there Walt.”
My copy was picked up by FedEx at 6AM in Addison, TX for overnight delivery! I should have it before noon.
MDN, I think, misses the analogy train here.
Vista isn’t a Yugo – it’s not THAT bad.
Think of Vista as an Infiniti luxury sedan. It looks great, but under the hood, it’s a Hyundai.
OS-X is more like an Acura or a Lexus. They look great, and they perform spectacularly.
It’s always been problematic that the company is called Apple, but the computers are called Macs. Not MACs or M.A.C.s, or Apples, or Apple Macs, or Apple MACs. It even sounds weird when you say “Apple Macs,” although technically it may be true, similar to “Honda Civic.” You can call a Civic a Honda, but that’s being broad, but doesn’t quite work with a Mac, unless you want to sound like a hick or tard.
Zune Tang seems to fit this profile, along with the small minority who refuse to open their eyes about anything. If they can’t get the name right, then there’s no hope.
” Think of Vista as an Infiniti luxury sedan. It looks great, but under the hood, it’s a Hyundai.”
Since when did Nissan start using Hyundai engines?
Mossberg nailed it on the head.
I miss the original Zune Tang. Much more clever and entertaining.
Goatberg has his marching orders.