[OreoCookie]

Our favorite M$ fanboy actually managed to write a semi-decent report. Instead of the usual who-copied-from-whom, he makes compliments. At least sometimes

http://www.winsupersite.com/reviews/macosx_tiger.asp

[OptimusG4]

Interesting.

[Goldfinger]

Apple touts the ease with which you can upgrade your existing Mac OS X installation to Tiger, or perform a clean install. But if you're not really paying attention during Setup, you can quite easily do the wrong thing, especially if you want to do a clean install. In the third phase of Setup ("Select Destination"), there is an Options button that's quite easy to miss. However, if you want to do a clean install, you'll need to click that button first, and not the Continue button. Otherwise, you'll simply upgrade your existing install by mistake.

He has a good point there. That's something that has always botherd me.

[mdc]

i feel dirty reading a review of tiger from this guy.

edit.
i wish i could have read this line first, because then i would have saved myself 10 minutes.

Apple Mac OS X 10.4 "Tiger" is the strongest OS X release yet and a worthy competitor to Windows XP. Though it is marketed by Apple as a major release, Tiger is in fact a minor upgrade with few major new features, more akin to what we'd call a service pack in the Windows world.

[Fonzie]

he is and will remain a Windows fanboy for all of his adult life. Constantly making remarks to things that is in Windows and its apps. Get's tiring after having read his articles.

[Lateralus]

Tiger is in fact a minor upgrade with few major new features, more akin to what we'd call a service pack in the Windows world. However, that won't stop Apple fans from flocking to Apple Stores on April 29 and standing in line to buy it, even at its inflated $129 price.

[OreoCookie]

I personally like the `we'd call it a service pack' comment most. But he does have a point, XP take 2 fixes a lot ... of bugs and security issues.

[wolfen]

Yes, it's ludicrous to equate it to a service pack. Giving XP a carnival-theme doesn't make it very much different from 2000. But they'd like you to think so. I'd say going from 10.2 to Tiger will be akin to going from 2000 to XP.

[Paco500]

I actually learned something form him in this review that makes me sad/slightly pissed. I didn't realizie I could not host a multi-person iChat AV with my new, (basically) top of the line professional laptop (15", 1.67, 128MB vid, 2GB ram).

Oh well.

[alphasubzero949]

He trolls over at TMO as "Reality Check."

[Zimphire]

What a moron

First he says

"Alas, despite the wait, Tiger is a minor revision, like all previous OS X updates. Let's take a look."

AND IN THE NEXT LINE, which is bold it says.

"Major new features in Mac OS X 10.4 "Tiger"



And this

"Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger includes, in my opinion, only two major new features, Spotlight and Dashboard"

what about Automator? (What I am really waiting for) QT 7? Core Audio and Image? Not to mention many of the other NEW and major upgrades.

Then goes to say

"and both were clearly influenced by other existing products and services"

Let me guess Paul, Apple copied off of MS!

Spotlight search boxes appear elsewhere in Tiger as well. For example, a Spotlight search box appears in Mail 2, in Help, System Preferences, and Address Book. You can also create something called Smart Folders, which is basically a stored search, similar to the Search Folders that debuted in Outlook 2003 back in October 2003.

That had to get him at least $1.000 for MS.

Then he goes onto say,

Not coincidentally, Microsoft is working on similar, if further-reaching, technology for Longhorn. Apple's solution, however, is here right now and it appears to work quite well. Score one for Apple.

At least he was honest there.

But this one..

Fortunately, Apple fans have always proven themselves to be suckers for the latest and greatest: I expect millions of Mac users to upgrade immediately to Tiger. Ka-ching.

And Windows users aren't?

[nforcer]

Tiger is in fact a minor upgrade with few major new features, more akin to what we'd call a service pack in the Windows world. However, that won't stop Apple fans from flocking to Apple Stores on April 29 and standing in line to buy it, even at its inflated $129 price.

I read that, mumbled "assclown", then closed the window.

This tard needs to receive some taser shock therapy.

[mdc]

came across this link on apple's site. it's a list of the 200+ features in tiger.

[Zimphire]

Originally Posted by mdc

came across this link on apple's site. it's a list of the 200+ features in tiger.

Yes unlike MSs service packs which usually just close holes...

This is a major upgrade plain and simple.

[Apple Pro Underwear]

Originally Posted by mdc

came across this link on apple's site. it's a list of the 200+ features in tiger.

i hate to say this but i kind of agree with PT

i'm going to be using very few of these new features.

the only thing i really want is for everything to work better as a whole. i am happy with panther. i'm not complaining about the "upgrade" because i'm going to get a new PM when it finally comes out fresh regardless. but it seems to me, some of you poor folk can skip this if you're happy with panther,

[Krypton]

A lot of those 200 'features' aren't actually new - TextEdit HTML output and smooth scrolling for example.

[iDriveX]

Uuhhh yeah so iChat AV Multi-Person chatting is useless unless you are chatting with two other people who own PowerMac G5s along with yourself....Hmmm I have a hard enough time find people that have iSights and iChat AV, let alone PowerMac G5s

[effgee]

Originally Posted by mdc

came across this link on apple's site. it's a list of the 200+ features in tiger.

Unfortunately/understandably (depending on one's POV) some of those "features" are a little on the laughable side ... e.g.

Originally Posted by Steve Jobs on his site apple.com

About This Mac
View the name of the startup disk in the enhanced About This Mac menu — great if you have multi-drive setups.

I understand that they might have to stretch the definition of the term "feature" a bit to get to the magic "200" but at least in my book, one addtl. line of text doesn't really qualify as a "feature".



And yeah, as noted previously, Thurrott's obviously quite the sad figure - even though I agree with him re: the new UI for mail.app. That one is atrocious.

[OptimusG4]

So going here http://www.apple.com/macosx/upgrade/ to see how the initial installer works and how to configure the installer is too hard to do before installing?

[E's Lil Theorem]

Originally Posted by iDriveX

Uuhhh yeah so iChat AV Multi-Person chatting is useless unless you are chatting with two other people who own PowerMac G5s along with yourself....Hmmm I have a hard enough time find people that have iSights and iChat AV, let alone PowerMac G5s

Not exactly the case, if you believe PT.

it requires a PowerMac G5 system to initiate such a chat...

Technically speaking, if you don't have a G5, you can participate in such a chat, you just can't initiate one.

Originally Posted by effgee

Unfortunately/understandably (depending on one's POV) some of those "features" are a little on the laughable side ... e.g.

I understand that they might have to stretch the definition of the term "feature" a bit to get to the magic "200" but at least in my book, one addtl. line of text doesn't really qualify as a "feature".



.....

That's one the "features" that just makes you roll your eyes. Actually, there are a lot of those. I mean, they listed all the widgets Tiger comes with instead of just listing Dashboard as a feature. Plus, they list automator a few times. Anyway, 200+ my butt

[mitchell_pgh]

I don't think anyone is saying there are 200 major upgrades, but there are at least 20 or so major changes and probably 100 minor.

The thing is, a minor upgrade for me may be a major upgrade to you.

[CharlesS]

But Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) was arguably a bigger advance over the initial release of XP than Tiger is over Mac OS X 10.3.

[Kenneth]

Personally, I don't like the article.

And unlike Longhorn, it's shipping now. What a concept.

A concept?

Meanwhile, should the MacNN staff or some other Mac-page do a similar review of WindowsXP?

[Chuckit]

iChat AV requires a G5 or a 1 GHz+ G4 dualie (the PowerBook being shut out because of its single processor, not its speed) to host a four-way video chat. Any currently shipping Mac can participate.

[Mastrap]

Originally Posted by iDriveX

Uuhhh yeah so iChat AV Multi-Person chatting is useless unless you are chatting with two other people who own PowerMac G5s along with yourself....Hmmm I have a hard enough time find people that have iSights and iChat AV, let alone PowerMac G5s

As far as I know only the host needs a G5, the others don't.

[ntt]

Actually, the iChat webpage ( http://www.apple.com/macosx/features/ichat/ ) says that you can host/initiate a 4 person video chat with a dual 1GHz G4 as well.

[Chuckit]

Whoops. Misread.

[Millennium]

See, I still don't think he exists. I think "Paul Thurrott" is just a nom de plume, ghostwritten by several paid writers in Microsoft's marketing department. He's ridiculously prolific, ludicrously biased, and quite inconsistent in his writing style. He runs not one, not two, but three of the largest Windows news sites on the Net. If he exists, he's literally a one-man astroturfing campaign. I'm guessing he's actually a multi-person astroturfing campaign.

And for all that, even he has to admit it's good (packed in among the half-truths, blatant lies, and impressive spin). That's saying something.

[Garage81]

comparing this to sp2? LOL. what an asshat.

i used windows for 10 years, and never could justify giving MS any money, i never paid for any version of windows. and here i am, happily forking over my money to apple for Tiger, as im sure many others are.

in conclusion: what an asshat.

[budster101]

I'd love to BEAT that guy............... at poker... it would be very satisfying.

What a loser.
I wonder how he feels being an MS lapdog.

[mikemako]

Originally Posted by Krypton

A lot of those 200 'features' aren't actually new - TextEdit HTML output and smooth scrolling for example.

I also was surprised to see "smooth scrolling" listed as a new feature, since it debuted in Panther. Does it mean that smooth scrolling has been significantly improved in Tiger?

[Hugi]

Originally Posted by mikemako

I also was surprised to see "smooth scrolling" listed as a new feature, since it debuted in Panther. Does it mean that smooth scrolling has been significantly improved in Tiger?

I don't think so, this feature list just seems flawed. They mention many tiny features, while leaving out things like Core Data, which in my opinion is one of the most important features in Tiger.

[Oneota]

Originally Posted by Hugi

I don't think so, this feature list just seems flawed. They mention many tiny features, while leaving out things like Core Data, which in my opinion is one of the most important features in Tiger.

Not to mention ACL support and SpamAssassin built-in to the Mail Server (granted, those are OS X Server features, but still - they're big!). And those are only two of the big-deal new features for Tiger Server. It's a biggie, IMO.

[Link]

Saying tiger doesn't have many new features is partially true, partially not.. IMHO it looks like it has more than panther did, GPU accelerated 2d for example, something he missed ENTIRELY.. QT7 is interesitng too, not to mention spotlight which was 'announced' by apple before MS even came up with the idea (I think it was patented first, lol)..

Mail 2 is an abomination toolbar wise, but that can be fixed.. I think Apple did a lot of stupid UI changes in tiger, as I said before the "new plastic theme", system preferences with it's off-edge show all button that throws you off very easily if you're used to system prefs in 10.3/10.2/10.1.. and the dashboard is just weird, but I still look forward to that too...

As for smooth scrolling, I forgot that even existed.. I never see it work in anything!

Doesn't tiger also FINALLY support multiple audio inputs/outputs? That'd be nice...

[Zimphire]

Yeah I am not sure I like the mail app's new action icons

I like the plastic theme though.

[olePigeon]

Originally Posted by CharlesS

But Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) was arguably a bigger advance over the initial release of XP than Tiger is over Mac OS X 10.3.

What, in megabytes?

[Kilbey]

Originally Posted by Kenneth

Meanwhile, should the MacNN staff or some other Mac-page do a similar review of WindowsXP?

I think this sounds like a great idea.

Here's a list of articles from lowendmac.com with comparisions of OS X to XP.

[Angus_D]

Originally Posted by Krypton

A lot of those 200 'features' aren't actually new - TextEdit HTML output and smooth scrolling for example.

Target Disk mode, new in 10.4!

[mitchell_pgh]

Originally Posted by Angus_D

Target Disk mode, new in 10.4!

While this may not be a "new thing" I think they enhanced it IIRC

Target Disk Mode
Make your Mac appear to be a hard drive on another system with just one click by using the Target Disk Mode option in the Startup Disk Preference panel.

[mitchell_pgh]

Originally Posted by Link

Mail 2 is an abomination toolbar wise, but that can be fixed.. I think Apple did a lot of stupid UI changes in tiger, as I said before the "new plastic theme", system preferences with it's off-edge show all button that throws you off very easily if you're used to system prefs in 10.3/10.2/10.1.. and the dashboard is just weird, but I still look forward to that too...

As for smooth scrolling, I forgot that even existed.. I never see it work in anything!

Doesn't tiger also FINALLY support multiple audio inputs/outputs? That'd be nice...

I'm reserving judgment until I actually get Tiger in my hands. Who knows, Mail.app may feel much more natural... most of us here just don't know.

[mdc]

i'm excited about this

Bluetooth Headset Support
Use your Bluetooth headset as an input and output device, enabling hands-free audio conferences in iChat AV and more.

[Apple Pro Underwear]

actually can somebody elaborate on the 2-d graphics acceleration and how that is different from panther?

i searched the apple site and macnn os forum and did not find too much on it... thx

(specifically, which graphics card should i get for best results? i'm not getting the $240 option but i may boost to the $45 upgrade [9700 i think?] if it's worth it. i do not play games on my mac)

[Mastrap]

Originally Posted by mdc

i'm excited about this

You can already do this - at least on my G5 iMac it works with no problem. The 12" PB is telling me that it's not supported.

[Angus_D]

Originally Posted by mitchell_pgh

While this may not be a "new thing" I think they enhanced it IIRC

Target Disk Mode
Make your Mac appear to be a hard drive on another system with just one click by using the Target Disk Mode option in the Startup Disk Preference panel.

Yes, I know. But that's hardly a new feature.

[OreoCookie]

Let´s not forget the incredible power of marketing!

[mitchell_pgh]

Originally Posted by Angus_D

Yes, I know. But that's hardly a new feature.

We understand how to do it, but I would argue 90% of the mac population doesn't. Adding something as simple as an easy to use config panel is a big deal IMHO.

I could also argue that being able to click one button and have Apache start "isn't a big deal", all you need to do is go to the command line and...

I see what you are saying, but I think adding higher end capabilities in a simple GUI is what the Mac is all about.

[Chuckit]

Originally Posted by Link

Saying tiger doesn't have many new features is partially true, partially not.. IMHO it looks like it has more than panther did, GPU accelerated 2d for example

What are you talking about? OpenGL has always been GPU accelerated, and Quartz 2D Extreme is not turned on in Tiger.

[Angus_D]

Originally Posted by mitchell_pgh

We understand how to do it, but I would argue 90% of the mac population doesn't. Adding something as simple as an easy to use config panel is a big deal IMHO.

It's still not a new feature. It's making an existing feature more readily available.

[pathogen]

It's 64-bit.

'Nuff said.

[zizban]

Originally Posted by pathogen

It's 64-bit.

'Nuff said.

Not its 32 bits with 64-bit enhancements, for programs that take advantage of it (I think Photoshop CS does and Maya, there may be others). Mac OS X is not totally 64-bit yet; that will take a while.