Apple has once again lapped Microsoft in the operating system race 




"Apple has once again lapped Microsoft in the operating system race. With Windows “Longhorn” still three years away, the smooth interface and robust underpinnings of OS X 10.3 (aka “Panther”) leaves XP’s cluttered 2D interface eating dust, and signposts the road we expect Windows and Linux to follow in the years ahead," Dan Warne reports for Australian Personal Computer (apcmag) magazine.

"Despite the 10.3 designation, Panther is much more than just a point release. It’s easily the equivalent of stepping up from Windows 2000 to XP, with as many new features as significant improvements to existing ones. The buffed user interface drops showroom elements like striped menu bars for an elegantly muted, brushed-metal look," Warne reports.

"Panther also behaves well in the Windows world. For instance, you can easily share any printer (including USB inkjets) with Windows users without loading model-specific drivers. But Apple has yet to catch up with Windows when it comes to remote control. While Microsoft offers free Remote Desktop Connection software, Apple’s equivalent costs $569, works only over local networks and isn’t available for Windows," Warne reports. "But Panther’s biggest failing is its price: Apple insists on charging everyone $229, even if you’re upgrading from the recently superseded OS X 10.2. That may be half the upgrade ask from Windows 2000 to XP, but it’s a hefty hit all the same."
 

Posted: Tue - January 20, 2004 at 05:35 PM        

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