Apple OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard

The OS itself is extremely stable. In fact, this OS is more stable than the previous 10.5 in regards to Wi-Fi. Where was 10.5 always had issue with dropping the Wi-Fi connection every time the wind blew, 10.6 seems to be rock solid. I've used this version since goldmaster, and I haven't had any issues in terms of stability or crashing issues. I never read manuals, so I can't comment on that. OS X has built-in help for anything you might need, and their forum is great at helping people as well. The general configuration seems to be setup just like any other OS X. In fact, this was mainly an "under the hood" upgrade to help revise the way storage is defined and allow for 64-bit applications.

SUITABILITY/PERFORMANCE

As I stated above, this OS is crazy stable. I haven't had any issues with it since I began running the goldmaster when it was released to developers. We're now on the 6th revision of the 6th OS X, so it's gone through a few changes, and I can't imagine anybody having any real issues. There were a few times where certain plug-ins weren't compatible with my Logic Pro 9, but that was a plug-in issue and not an actual OS X issue. All of these plug-ins have since been updated, so no issues there. The OS itself is crazy snappy, and I have no issues when it comes to running the Apple software. I've been using this OS since goldmaster, but I've been using Apple computers for over 19 years now.

OVERALL OPINION

This is easily the best OS that Apple has released. While some people complained that there wasn't a huge update between this and 10.5, I found that the 64-bit compatibility and stable Wi-Fi drivers were easily worth the $20 upgrade that they charged for this. There was a lot of "under the hood" reconfiguration that went on, so I can see why Apple charged the price they did for it. While it doesn't look that much different, I guarantee you that it'll be more stable than the 10.5 OS X of yesteryear.

Apple OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard is the newest operating system offered up by Apple. While I don't currently have it on my machine, I use it at the studio that I work at. We don't have it on our main machine, but rather on our side computers, as all of the newest Pro Tools software isn't yet supported in 10.6. Since I haven't upgraded myself for this reason, I can't say how easy or hard it is to do the upgrade installation. I do know that you can download it straight from Apple's website, making it easy to have it up and running rather quickly I would assume.

SUITABILITY/PERFORMANCE

I don't know all of the specs on the computer that I've used Apple OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard on, but it is an Apple G5 desk top with a good amount of juice to it. I really don't think that it will make too much of a difference in terms of performance if you're upgrading from 10.5. As far as upgrading from older versions than that, I would make sure that your system has enough processing power to handle 10.6 Snow Leopard before making up upgrades, as it does require a superior system to run it on.

OVERALL OPINION

You can upgrade to Apple OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard from 10.5 Leopard for very cheap, I would definitely consider doing it. However, make sure that whatever software you're running will be fully supported and compatible before making the upgrade, as I haven't made the leap myself yet for this reason. Digidesign won't yet support use of Pro Tools 8 on Snow Leopard as far as I know, so this was both my reasoning for not yet upgrading to Snow Leopard. There are a lot of new features with Snow Leopard and it runs smoother, but it isn't necessary to have. Having said this, if you won't experience compatibility issues, I'd recommend taking the plunge and upgrading as this is definitely their best operating system to date.

Comes pre-installed on a mac pro rcent.

Since the OS and the hardware are adquations there is no incompatibilits possible with the hardware-board and most of its peripherals possdent a driver compatible with this version of the OS.


ADQUATION / PERFORMANCE

Technical Cot, like all the family Mac OS X you are facing a UNIX system consists of a basic POSIX BSD drive the graphic layer of Cocoa hrite NextStep / OpenStep .dropoff window

This version is "full 64-bit" enabling happy and professionals lotto winners possdant a Mac Machine equips more than 4GB of memory to run memory-intensive apps in.

The OS is pretty open. It is of course dployer Apps "mac", but also a lot of ports open source software via the shipping package managers and to a lesser extent fink (not day to 10.6 and 64-bit).

This version also integrates an X server, which lets you use ports X11 apps (gimp, dia ...) or even to run a window manager other than the default (gnome would FUNCTIONAL kde and should soon get there ...)

The main dev environment and open source compilers are available for Mac OS X.

Some apps also computer music t ports (eg Ardour), and I think others will soon follow!

BRAVO brief for the opening which is also a guarantee prennit for this OS.

Finally, mention particulire the core layer of the audio system which frankly is powerful and really plug 'n play. What fun to change sound card without re-Get You Started all apps!



NOTICE GLOBAL

I am a history of user Unix systems and all particulirement Linux. computer music n'tant not the strong point of Linux, especially because of its architecture a bit wobbly and a severe lack support of some external sound cards, I used Windows to sound before me turn to Mac OS X.

Finally OS X is a good compromise to have a UNIX system more than correct use as dev station / OS and a tech to do computer music in all tranquility and stability!

Aside from a few small annoyances use of another age (resizing windows only be SE board, no classical re-organization of the windows on the screen, ergonomics app finder ), I am very happy to have taken the plunge and be me tourn to this environment.

It is a stable OS, effective, open all types of dev environment and extremely well supplied with computer music applications!

My only regret is that we do not find a Legion freeware plugins as is the case for VST Windows. But I hopes to over time it will also come!