It really is amazing to be how slow Microsoft has been with their OS development. And, compared to Apple, they’re looking pathetic. Apple today released OS X Leopard 10.5.2 update and I am happy to report that I have already updated my Mac Pro and it went flawlessly.
The 10.5.2 incorporates many welcome fixes and improvements to OS X, including:
- Fixes with the use of Airport Extreme
- List View option for Stacks (thank you!)
- Hierarchical Stacks
- Non-transparent menu bar
- Time Machine menu-bar indicator
What these updates show is that Apple is not only fixing issues as they arise, but is listening to their users. Why? Because some of these improvements (especially the ones I listed above) are direct results of user feedback with the initial release of Leopard.
As I installed the second update to my Mac, I was reminded that we still have yet to see even the first service pack for Windows Vista. Microsoft is moving at a snail’s pace in releasing SP1 to the public. In just over 3 months, we’ve seen two updates from Apple.
Apple is winning this particular game.
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All things being equal I would say that you are correct but in this case you are wrong because you are not looking at the complete picture. I agree that Apple has created an OS that is reliable satisfactory for many Mac users but Microsoft does not have that luxury. Microsoft has to create an OS that works with every piece of hardware on this planet. I cant tell you the Frankenstein computer that I am using with tons of generic parts YET Windows XP boots up every single time. Linux still has that problem as well. Certain hardware just doesn’t work (Some EVDO cards).
Lastly, in regards to the comment about “listening to customers”. I agree that msft should do a better job but to say that it ignores them or doesn’t take into consideration their voices is also unfair. Vista is supplied to Enterprise users, SMB, and regular home users. Over 10% of the population so far has used vista (according to some stats) and the number will rise due to the overwhelming presence of msft. That is alot of voices to take into consideration. During the development of Vista, msft actually had to appease certain hardware manufactures (Nvidia) to the point where it actually made the development process slower and the end result sloppy. Microsoft, I believe, does listen to their base but when you are a huge organization its difficult. Its easy to pick on the big guy for not doing simple things. Its also easy to support underdogs in the market. But lets try and keep things into perspective though. Oh, one of the reasons for the delay in SP1 for Vista is because certain Intel chipsets would brick your vista machine. Msft later changed that policy by stating that if you have that certain chipset you will not be able to download the SP.
Be fair Risely !! See you on Facebook !
Michael:
You post above points out exactly why Apple will not and should not license their operating system: stability.
Mac users enjoy and often gloat about the stability and low maintenance of their machines. Because Apple controls both the hardware and the software they can improve both without sacrificing stability. There are lots of people who lambaste Apple for this, but the tradeoff isn’t worth it.
Yes, this also makes Microsoft much slower in their releases. But when you’re the OS manufacturer for “everyone else”, then those are the things you have to deal with.