Mac OS X "Leopard" to Hit Stores Oct. 26

Yahoo! Tech ^ | 10/16/2007 | Ben Patterson

[abt87]

Bumped from its slated June launch date thanks to the frantic scramble to finish the iPhone, the latest version of Mac OS X is finally ready for its close-up. Apple announced today that "Leopard" will bound into stores next Friday, complete with a revamped desktop, a new backup feature, and more ways to inspect your file folders.

The Apple Store is already taking preorders for Mac OS X v10.5, which will go on sale at 6 p.m. on October 26. Expect to shell out $130 for a single-user license, or $200 for a five-user family pack. Also keep in mind that the system requirements for Leopard are pretty hefty this time around: those with Intel systems should be OK, but PowerPC users will need at least an 867MHz G4 processor with 512MB of RAM. Sorry, G3 users—looks like Mac OS 10.4 is the end of the line for you.

Many of the changes in Leopard look more like tweaks than full-scale innovations. The Dock, for instance, is now glossy and foreshortened, and it has a new feature: Stacks, which are Dock items that spring up with files and folders when clicked. The Finder, meanwhile, adds a revamped folder sidebar that organizes system items into Devices, Shared, and Places; even better, you'll be able to browse your files using Cover Flow from iTunes. Nice, but not exactly mind-blowing.

[Crusher138]

I beg to differ...

I recently switched to a Mac for many reasons:

1. The Mac Pro is easily the best put together and thought out box on the market.
2. I have less worries in regards to spyware and viruses.
3. All the programs work together seamlessly.
4. I can run VMWare Fusion and run Windows (XP or Vista) in a window and have access to the few programs Windows does better, like financial software.

I am a musician, photographer, writer, programmer, web designer, and financial adviser. No one operating system met my needs, but a Mac running Fusion can meet EVERYONE's needs!

[Uri’el-2012]

Apple’s new kick-butt file system pushes on

Microsoft is TOAST !

Mac OS X will now be state of the art 64 bit full certified Unix
with state of the art file system

[Crusher138]

Fellow Fusion Users Unite!

We will show the true path, where allegiance to any OS is silly in the face of being able to use ANY OS!

We must preach the new gospel to the masses!

[garyhope]

Thanks again for your info and explanations. Computing is getting more interesting isn’t it?

I suppose in the future all computers will run most os’s and apps seamlessly and instantly without hickups or questions. Someday there will just be generic computing devices planted in your body that will supply information directly to your brain just by thinking about it.

[antiRepublicrat]

I can't live without Expose.

I often find myself reflexively squeezing the mouse when I'm on Windows, and then experiencing disappointment when Expose doesn't kick in. "Oh yeah, I have to use the stupid task bar."

[WVKayaker]

left-turn Prius? I think there are more Prius in MicroScrap households.

I love apples, and oranges, too. As a long term Mac user (1985), I can attest that I lean rather right (RR, Bush, Dole, Bush, GoFredGo!), and drive a Ford F-250. I also have a Ford powered Motorhome. But, no Prius, nor other MicroScrap-like stuff! I like things that work as hard as I do!

I could care less about games! Is urely despise the Hildabest and any other lefties. So assumptions can make an ass of you (or whomever)!

I used my $100 iPhone credit to preorder OSX 10.5! I want it NOW (and that is why I have an iPhone credit!)!

[antiRepublicrat]

I vote for Fusion, which I bought, mainly because Parallels doesn’t do 64-bit or SMP for the client OS. But it would be hard to choose which one to buy if you didn’t want either of those.

[Swordmaker]

re: Parallels

A couple of corrections. I think xenia is thinking about Crossover Max which is the Wine Windows API replacement project that is $40 and does not require Windows to run some Windows apps. Parallels costs $80 and requires a Windows license.

[Uri’el-2012]

You are right

I did not like either.

Parallels is ~$70 at Amazon

[UlmoLordOfWaters]

LOL! Me, too. I have my expose set up to the hot corners and find myself doing that when I'm testing on my PC. Glad I'm not the only one ;-)

Speaking of expose...it really impresses co-workers when the see it. ha.

[SunkenCiv]

I used my $100 iPhone credit to preorder OSX 10.5! I want it NOW (and that is why I have an iPhone credit!)!

Thanks, SJ's move makes more sense now.

[SomeReasonableDude]

The Parental Controls should be on the radar of family folks looking for a new home computer. It’s quite robust, considering that it is built into the operating system. For that same reason, it should be MUCH harder for children to get around than third-party programs. Well, unless your kids can hack a root account.