“Snow Leopard’s release on Aug. 28 ensures that Apple will have all the time it needs to differentiate itself against the Windows juggernaut, especially as Microsoft gears up to offer Windows 7 in October. Apple, once again, made a bold, yet smart move,” Don Reisinger reports for eWeek.
“Offering Mac OS X Snow Leopard now capitalizes on a key sales period: back to school. The back-to-school shopping craze starts correcting some of the losses company’s face over the long summer when families and companies are more concerned about vacation than buying a computer,” Reisinger reports.
“By releasing Snow Leopard in September, Apple would have missed that period. Consumers, knowing that Apple will be releasing Snow Leopard next month, might have decided to wait for the new operating system to buy a Mac,” Reisinger reports.
Full article, in which Reisinger tries to claim that Microsoft’s Windows Vista service pack, er, “Windows 7” is “revolutionary” in what sounds like a plant from Microsoft’s PR department, here.
MacDailyNews Take: The Microsoft FUD machine is revving up yet again, folks.
and Oblique
Apple releases software when it is ready. Not when some marketing guy says to do so. (Aperture doesn’t count)
Given that those buying a Mac today were already assured that they’d get Snow Leopard for only $9.95, I wonder how many were really holding off. Still, a little end-of-summer excitement can’t hurt.
and they would wait the next month because rumor has it mac will be updated, and the next month because of new design, and the next month for the new product, and the next month, and the next month…..
the great thing with apple is you know your system is compatible with next operating system, because they control both environments, unlike windows when everyone is going to just be nervous as hell to upgrade cuz they just spent all those hours of their lives trying to get vista working as smooth as possible, and XP people same thing, and then they are probably going to have to scrub clean the drives so everything is working ok and reload some junk and then recustomize their settings and spend hours trying to get window SEVENISTA working propely.
By releasing Snow Leopard in September, Apple ensures that it does not get swamped with support calls from IT staff at schools and colleges about everything that broke. If it was released in August (when it was ready), IT folks would have tried to deploy it, with potentially disastrous results. It happened with 10.5. Apple is actually saving us IT guys a ton of headaches.
Nothing like a Mac
“The back-to-school shopping craze starts correcting some of the losses company’s face over the long summer”
That’s _not_ a good English.
Magic word: “needs”, as in “your English needs improvement”
> Snow Leopard’s release on Aug. 28 ensures that Apple will have all the time it needs to differentiate itself against the Windows juggernaut
Not really. I think Apple released earlier because (1) it was ready to go and, more importantly, (2) they are releasing the new iPod lineup in early September and did not want the media and consumers distracted by the release of Snow Leopard.
Apple has no real need to differentiate Snow Leopard from Windows 7. Most PC shoppers who want the cheapest price don’t care about Windows 7. The PC just comes with whatever version of Windows is installed. Most current Windows XP users are not going to go through the expense and trouble of upgrading to Windows 7; they are going to keep using their old hardware until they need to buy new hardware. And if they don’t switch to Mac at that time, their new hardware will come with whatever version of Windows is installed.
They are not making any real choice on the OS, unless they choose to get to Mac. So why does Apple need to differentiate Snow Leopard from Windows 7? The need to differentiate is between Mac and Windows PC, not Snow Leopard and Windows 7. And Apple has been beating that drum with the “Get a Mac” campaign for years.
The only possible way “Windows 7” could be considered “revolutionary”, is while it’s spiraling around in the toilet bowl. FLUSH!
Windows 7 is indeed revolutionary.
It’s an operating system from Microsoft that is less annoying and almost works.
This line sums up the credibility of the author..
“Microsoft’s upcoming operating system is arguably the best software the company has released in years. It’s certainly far better than Windows Vista. And based on my experience with both operating systems, I like it more than Apple’s current OS, Leopard. I doubt I’m alone.”
Nope, you`re alone.
@ken1w: Completely agree.
For the most part consumers won’t pick Windows 7, they’ll pick a Dell or HP or Asus. The day Best Buy has a Dell with Windows and a Dell with Linux sitting next to each other, is the day the consumer will have to actively think about choosing an operating system and possibly making the effort of keeping them updated and upgraded.
More people actively choose to buy OS X, just look at Amazon’s Top Selling List. Even though there are 10-15 times more Windows PCs sold, Windows doesn’t sell so well when it comes to consumers upgrading their computer’s operating system. Mac users are much more consciously aware of their systems and active at keeping them up-to-date. (This is also probably the single biggest reason why there hasn’t been any kind of malicious viral outbreak on Macs.)
Guesses as to when the dot one update will be out?
My family pack has been prepared for shipment. Friday can’t come soon enough.
Snow Leopard was not designed for current machines, but for a new revolution in mac hardware in the near future.
Four to Five months I would guess.
Windows juggernaut. Hah! What a ridiculous concept in 2009. More like windows model t.
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Apple admits that OS X’s UNIX innards are not inherently bullet-proof and now offers warnings about known threats that will corrupt your Mac’s pristine system with digital pollution.
Thanks, Apple!!!!
@Cubert
I would expect the first ‘.1’ service pack out by the end of October. About a month or two for the first service pack has become typical. Anymore, all software makers (even games these days) have become accustom to using the ‘.0’ version as a for sale Goldmaster.
But I’ll still be lined up at my local Apple Store on Friday. WHOO!
10.6 Snow Leopard is the coming upgrade.
Then comes…
10.7 — Cloud Leopard [more cloud computing features?]
10.8 — Lion [The king of PC]
10.9 Cougar [It’ll be getting old. But, it’ll still be hot, and eager to jump onto your hard disk]
Reisinger says:
“But whether or not they will choose the Mac over Windows 7 is up for debate. Microsoft’s upcoming operating system is arguably the best software the company has released in years. It’s certainly far better than Windows Vista. And based on my experience with both operating systems, I like it more than Apple’s current OS, Leopard. I doubt I’m alone.”
I have to say I almost agree here, I have used both OS’s for the last few months and I do like Win 7 slightly more…not saying that its better than the upcoming Snow Leopard but security matters aside they are both approx. in the same level.
“company’s” = junior high school grammar error..(fail)
@I am me:
Well done. I appreciate the laugh
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Amazing how the Microsloth slaves always pump out that 95% market share. Wake up. Thats 95% gifted market share from the stupidity of IBM at the get go. It’s not 95% by “choice” of the buying public. Corporate made up the majority of that market share locked into Windows. So touting that 95% market share is pure and plain ignorance.
@ I am me
LOL
95% is 95% is 95%. So what is your point? Corporate culture is too stoopid to see the virtue of OSX? The world is on the brink of imminent collapse and implosion owing to corporate culture?
I suggest that you are too stoopid and/or ignorant to explain why, after all these years and decades, Apple’s presence in the corporate world is only slightly greater than imperceptible. Here’s you chance to enlighten us and the rest of the world and usher in a new era of human history. Go ahead, do tell.
“Apple releases software when it is ready. Not when some marketing guy says to do so. “
Yeah, because that whole can’t-burn-a-DVD on initial release of 10 and the wireless problems with initial Leopard never happened…please. Apple is good, but not perfect.
“Apple has no real need to differentiate Snow Leopard from Windows 7. Most PC shoppers who want the cheapest price don’t care about Windows 7. The PC just comes with whatever version of Windows is installed. Most current Windows XP users are not going to go through the expense and trouble of upgrading to Windows 7; they are going to keep using their old hardware until they need to buy new hardware. And if they don’t switch to Mac at that time, their new hardware will come with whatever version of Windows is installed. “
Well said and all very true. Mac customers are rarely Windows customers interchangeably.
“Apple admits that OS X’s UNIX innards are not inherently bullet-proof and now offers warnings about known threats that will corrupt your Mac’s pristine system with digital pollution.”
Why do people slag on Apple for this? It’s only responsible behavior given the evolving nature of both Apple’s marketshare and internet criminality. I fail to see how promoting safe computing practices compromises their position. Moreover, they still have a damn fine record resisting malware.
Well whoever you are, “esplaining” it to you would go over you puny little brain. You would have to think and have the power of reasoning to understand the entire aria the comprises the rise of MS through deceit and underhanded business practices.
I never realized that MS conspired with millions of persons over multiple decades over vast continents and diverse cultures to infiltrate the brains of customers with a single-minded purpose to purchase PCs.
Oh noes, the MS boogeyman is EVERYWHERE infesting yer fragile psyches and stealing yer sanities. I thinks yer aluminum hat’s a tad tight, sparky.
Judie wrote,”Well whoever you are, “esplaining” it to you would go over you puny little brain.”
The true sign of intelligence is being able to make the incomprehensible comprehensible. You cannot even offer a faltering attempt, making you much less than intelligent. It’s OK, fanboi, yours is an inherent weakness of thought and objectivity conditioned by years of unfettered bias and personal insecurities.
You may return to your special place where ignorance is bliss.
@ha ha
So in your case, you FAIL.
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” … machine is revving up yet again … as Microsoft gears up to offer Windows 7″
Yep, and probably forget to push the clutch in first …
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Now where were those keys ?
BC
“I never realized that MS conspired with millions of persons over multiple decades over vast continents and diverse cultures to infiltrate the brains of customers with a single-minded purpose to purchase PCs.”
Like I stated and proved based on your comment. You are too ignorant to comprehend. I rest my case. LOL
@Roy:
I’ve never had ANYTHING from Apple break my system on an upgrade. I’ve seldom had an MS upgrade NOT break something badly.
@Jubei:
“Here’s you chance to enlighten us and the rest of the world and usher in a new era of human history. Go ahead, do tell.”
OK, how about the fact that Apple doesn’t WANT to sell computers to corporate customers who consistently demand bare bones pricing and steep discounts. They could sell to corporate if the WANTED to, but go ask Dell how that business model is working out for them.
Petticoat
“I have to say I almost agree here, I have used both OS’s for the last few months and I do like Win 7 slightly more… but security matters aside they are both approx. in the same level.”
Security matters aside? Are you crazy? There is no comparison then.
[I never realized that MS conspired with millions of persons over multiple decades over vast continents and diverse cultures to infiltrate the brains of customers with a single-minded purpose to purchase PCs.]
You should’ve paid closer attention. That’s exactly what happened. Of course, not in the tinfoil hat, name-calling that you apoligists always trot out.
Let’s examine ALL the ‘choices’ that all of those millions of customers have had when buying a brand name ‘PC’ pre-installed with Linux. Was it possible that MS’s trade secret prevented other OSes from occupying the hardware with MS’s OSes?
This isn’t whether or not anyone likes a particular shade of grey. This is black and white. MS was found guilty twice of breaking the law. There’s no if they did this or that. They did it. They continue to act as if they’re above the law.
MS’s ethical barometer is busted. It never has worked.
You can choose to cheerlead for the lawbreaker, but man up about it.
Watch, folks: Look how very easy this is . . .
I have used both OS’s for the last few months and I do like Snow Leopard much, much more. Better security, less bloatware, more originality and response to customer need, etc., etc., etc.
Of course, no one knows whether I really HAVE been using both systems for the past few months, so my post is easily as “bona fide” as that from “silverhawk.”
Truly, it is SO VERY EASY to project knowledge and experience on the web when no one knows who you are or what your agenda is. Right, silverhawk?
I call our opinions a tie.
Another moronic journalist! “Company’s” = “companies”, “itself” = “Snow Leopard” or “Windows” = “Microsoft”, “key sales period” = “America’s key sales period”. These people earn their living with words. They owe it to us to get it right. And this American, as with so many others, needs to learn that there is life elsewhere, too. America is only 4% of the world. Other countries have other holiday periods, especially in the southern hemisphere where the holiday season starts in late December.
@grh: Apple sells much more in the USA compared to other markets, so I think it’s fair to say that major American holidays are key periods for them.
“Was it possible that MS’s trade secret prevented other OSes from occupying the hardware with MS’s OSes?”
Actually, it’s Microsoft’s license agreements that prevented that. The moment you accepted one, you were forbidden to offer any other OS but Windows.
By locking in the vendors, programmers and consumers were locked in as well. Both of whom quickly locked eachother in even tighter.
Meanwhile, Microsoft’s propaganda devision… Err, I mean advertising department set to work spreading the myth that Windows was ubiquitous because it was a really great product that people chose to make the #1 desktop OS, as opposed to the reality that Windows was ubiquitous because Microsoft foisted it on the market using dirty tricks. Some of which it would later be convicted for.
Microsoft continued to spread these and other self aggrandizing myths for so long, backed up by hundreds of millions worth of advertising budget per year if not per quarter, that a large number of people effectively did become brainwashed. But the brainwashing came with a problem. It was only effective for as long as people didn’t take a peek outside of Microsoft’s iron curtain and seriously examine the alternatives.
The iPod acted, either wittingly or unwittingly, as a trojan horse to make Windows sufferers curious about the world outside the one that Microsoft was spoonfeeding them. It opened their eyes to the fact that were other operating systems, other entities beyond the MS hegemony, and most importantly, it made them begin to take The Gospel According to Microsoft with a pinch of salt.
And then a handful. And then a bag full. And then an aircraft carrier full. It has reached the point where a very significant number of people no longer believe what Microsoft or its legion of astroturfers tell them. That, above all else, is the true reason why Vista failed and why Windows 7 will fail to rise triumphantly from its ashes.
@,
You of course, are correct.
BTW, my use of the term ‘trade secret’ was a derisive jab at their own wording that they had used in court to describe their EULA.
Which has always lead me to believe…
Apple: is a software company, that sells hardware to earn its money.
MS: is a law firm company, that sells software to get its money.
MacDailyNews Take: The Microsoft FUD machine is revving up yet again, folks.
You got that right. <a>href=”http://thesmallwave.com/2009/08/26/windows-7-vs-snow-leopard-infoworld-and-others-out-for-a-troll-expect-more/”>InfoWorld and others out for a troll.</a>