Apple Mac OS X Tiger

Description:

Due in mid-2005, Apple's new Mac OS X 10.4 promises more than 200 features.

Buying choices:

Users' rating:

7.9/10

Tags:

10.4 | apple | mac | os | tiger | x

Mac OS X 10.4, code-named Tiger, should hit the market 'long before Longhorn', as Apple's CEO, Steve Jobs, is fond of saying. Like previous versions of Mac OS X, Tiger will be based on an open-source Unix-like core. New is a 64-bit system, which does not mean an across-the-board speed boost, but memory-hungry applications such as large databases will probably benefit.

Apple is also embedding new technologies such as support for the High Definition H.264 video codec and Core Image, which co-opts video cards for rendering better on-screen images even in the OS, extending the Mac's media and graphics capabilities.

Tiger's Spotlight is an operating system-level search feature that indexes the computer's hard drive and helps find anything contained in a file or its metadata. And whenever you migrate to a new computer, Setup Assistant automates migration of all your personal files, settings, applications and folders -- a feature already found in Windows XP. Another new feature, Dashboard, populates your desktop with widgets that show the weather, flight information and more; these disappear from your desktop when not needed. Automator is an application that promises powerful scripting capabilities in an easy-to-use graphical interface.

Some new technologies, such as Core Image, should enable Tiger to feel faster and more responsive than previous Mac OS X versions. So far, each Mac OS X update has improved performance, an admirable trend that we expect to continue. Spotlight promises powerful search capabilities across every file, from email to PDFs. For example, you can find all of your email messages that contain a single keyword. Alhough details are scarce, Apple promises that Tiger will also improve compatibility with Windows. The messaging client iChat AV also gets a boost, allowing up to three users to establish a full-screen videoconference.

The much-touted features Spotlight and Dashboard may end up just another layer of eye candy, further moving Apple away from its halcyon days of interface design based on good science, rather than style. In general, some features that rely heavily on fancy graphics tricks may not run well on older machines.

Apple claims that this upgrade will include more than 200 new features, a claim we can't verify or discount at this time. If true, this should be compelling enough reason for most Mac OS X users to upgrade. Check back soon to read our full review of the new Mac OS X 10.4.

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Windows/OSX User
24/04/2008, 09:26 PM

rating
8
/10

Nice and stable OS. Being a Windows user mainly I know annoying glitches and crashes can be (which is a regular occurence in Windows). Nice to have things just WORK (which is about 90% of the time in OSX).

Pros: Stable and functional.

Cons: Occasional crash here and there, but not really enough to get in the way.

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loggainsd
27/01/2008, 08:27 AM

rating
9
/10

Great OS. Kills vista, xp, 98, 95, me,nt,2000 and all other pcs

Pros: Fast, Doesn't Freeze or Crash

Cons: UI Slightly slow to respond sometimer

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loggainsd
27/01/2008, 08:26 AM

rating
9
/10

Great OS. Kills vista, xp, 98, 95, me,nt,2000 and all other pcs

Pros: Fast, Doesn't Freeze or Crash

Cons: UI Slightly slow to respond sometimer

Report offensive comment

loggainsd
27/01/2008, 08:26 AM

rating
9
/10

Great OS. Kills vista, xp, 98, 95, me,nt,2000 and all other pcs

Pros: Fast, Doesn't Freeze or Crash

Cons: UI Slightly slow to respond sometimer

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thomasbelger
06/01/2008, 05:44 PM

rating
2
/10

Worst OS Ever!!!

Pros: NONE!

Cons: VERY BUGGY!
FREESES 24/7 (spinning wheel of death)
Apple is very pricey

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not2bnamed01
06/01/2008, 05:31 PM

rating
2
/10

My actual rating is 0 but cnet wont let me go under 2.
Worst EVER, EVER!!!!!!!!
You may as well buy a grain of sand for thousands of dollars!

Pros: NONE!!!!! NEVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cons: EVERYTHING!!!!!!!!!
(Most unstable, Freezes, Spinning Wheel of DEATH, Hard to use for most, computer breaks all the time, etc.....)

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thomasbelger
06/01/2008, 05:05 PM

rating
2
/10

Worst OS Ever!!!

Pros: NONE!

Cons: VERY BUGGY!
FREESES 24/7 (spinning wheel of death)
Apple is very pricey

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coghlankid7
19/01/2006, 02:03 PM

Omg... this is so awesome!

I do not currently have Moc OS X Tiger... as a matter of fact, I'm running on and XP OS, but I have downloaded emulators and such, and my whole computer layout looks just like Mac OS X Tiger... I just can't open MAC programs and so on...

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12/12/2005, 01:21 AM

awesome

everything just works...

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