cjlarkin's Full Review: Apple Mac OS 10 Full Version (M7686LL/A)
About two and 1/2 months ago I bought an OS X upgrade on an offer that seemed good. I was waiting to upgrade the computers in my home because of some of the stories I heard about hardware not being supported, software not working...etc.
After have the last OS 9.x freeze up and crash I willing to experience (like Windows is any better...please) I decided to go forward with my upgrades and take a leap.
I am so glad I did. For one, stability - my computers now stay up for WEEKS at a time so far. My server at home (a dual processor 500 G4/Gigabit) has been up for over two months. My PowerBook G3 Pismo has been more stable then under any prior OS revision. Usually at least twice a day I would have to hard reboot my laptop under MAC OS 9.x (again, like my WinTel laptop is any better ???....nope).
I really am impressed with the layout of the OS. Though it is a bit of an adjustment from prior MAC OS revisions and Windows, I quickly got used to it and now prefer it. I enjoy the native account administration/multiuser features, amongst how rich all of the System Preferences are. There are many options, and all neatly organized-- once you use the Systems Preferences window you'll wonder why we put up with "Control Panels".
On the top menu bar are many commonly used features and can be customized. I have icons for my PPPoE, Airport, Display and Battery in the menu bar - options that I often change, or check.
Speaking of PPPoE... If you have ADSL (such as Verizon DSL, like me) you will REALLY appricate the built in PPPoE feature. It's very easy to configure and works perfectly. MacPoet that is what Verizon gives customers conflicted with so many other applications and Verizon could care less (that's for another review).
Software - Well, all of the software I use is either Carbonized (made for both OS X and OS 9), Coccoized (made for OS X only), or works perfectly in Classic (think "Virtual PC" emulation for MAC OS 9.x that your program runs under while OS X is still active). Applications that I use on a daily basis that I do not have an issue with are: Outlook: MAC (Exchange Server Client) - works under Classic perfectly. Adobe Photoshop LE (I am able to scan with my CanonScan N1220U and use the program just fine) - under Classic. Microsoft Office 2001 - under Classic just fine.
Hardware - My scanner, as stated works in classic just fine. My printer (Epson Photo 870) works GREAT now that they finally released the drivers. My printer at work I can not print to PERFECTLY! I work in a primarily Windows NT/2000 network and prior I couldn't print--even with Connectix's DoubleTalk. Now I just go to Print Center in OS X, add a new printer and put it the IP address of my closest printer and VIOLA - I'm printing perfectly! That IP Printing capability alone was worth the price of the upgrade.
Airport - Ok here's a MAJOR gripe that I have. There is no Airport Software Base Station anymore. In OS 9.x I was able to have my server act at the internet gateway for the other computers in my home via a built in software feature that Apple MAC OS had. Apple removed the features of the Airport Software Base Station (I wrote my complaint lettters already) and I was really ticked that they did not communicate that. All other OS features are there, or have been migrated to some other feature or have evolved in MAC OS X and are really great. But to remove SBS was completely wrong! I've attempted a few work arounds (gNat namely) and have not had any success. I will not buy a Apple Airport Base Station for at least another year now with IEEE's prelim approval of 802.11g (allows wireless connections at speeds up to 54Mbps, instead of Airport's 802.11b 11Mbps). So I am hoping I can actually get gNAT or find some other software to replace this feature.
If you have a Airport HARDWARE Base Station (the actual base station), you have no reason for concerns... Only the SOFTWARE Base Station was affected.
Besides losing the software base station, I am VERY GLAD I did the upgrade for the stability, better operations for someone with a laptop in a primarily Windows envirnoment, and overall functionality of the OS.
If you are concerend about whether or not to do the upgrade, I would highly suggest it - Apple has committed that this OS is their new standard moving forward and from the research I've done sounds like by next year OS 9.x should be almost phased out.
So why upgrade now as oppose to in 12 months? Experience the stability, the increased performance (even in classic), and the functionality and you'll know why. Additionally, you won't loose OS 9.x if you still need it, it's only a Startup Disk change and a reboot away. (Though, personally, I've rarely need to do that...)
Go ahead! Leap in! Sure the water's cold at first, but it's oh so invigorating!
Even compared to it's cheap rip off that came out after MAC OS X's release -- Windows XP -- it's simple the best operating system around and I can only see it getting better as time goes on.
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