Apple OS 10.4 Tiger
CNET Rating: 8.0 out of 10
The good: New Finder features; better interface responsiveness and overall speed, even on legacy hardware; Safari includes improved performance and RSS; QuickTime 7.0 offers higher-resolution video; new Automator allows systemwide scripting; Core Data and Core Image open up new opportunities to developers; better cross-platform compatibility.
The bad: Most upgrades are hidden under the hood; features the average user will notice, such as Mail, clash with Apple's own user interface design; some features are unavailable on hardware older than a year or two.
The bottom line: Though its new user features have mixed appeal, Tiger's technological changes and speed improvements make this an enticing upgrade, especially for those who passed on Panther.
Setup And Interface | Features | Performance | Service And Support  
Apple has shipped the latest update to its flagship product, Mac Tiger OS, and has included several useful new features, such as Spotlight desktop search, Smart Folders (which add new items to saved searches), and Safari RSS--all features that Microsoft has promised its Windows users in Longhorn, yet so far hasn't delivered. We think the new Mac Tiger OS is a solid release and is worthwhile for those who skipped Panther or have waited until Tiger's release to purchase their new Apple hardware. Even casual Mac users will immediately see the difference between 10.4 Tiger and 2003's 10.3 Panther because of flashy new native utilities, such as Dashboard. In addition to the visible new features, Tiger includes significant overhauls under the hood, debuting a 64-bit architecture to take advantage of more addressable memory space and several core technologies that range from accelerating onscreen graphics to offering new programming interfaces that, if developers take advantage of them, could significantly change how we use computers. If you're tired of Microsoft's many promises, or if you've been thinking of replacing your PC with a new Mac, Tiger may well be your best incentive to switch. But we're holding back on our highest honor, our Editors' Choice designation, until we complete our formal testing. Early indications suggest that Tiger's a winner, but check back next week for the full story. Also, check out our Tiger slide show to get a sense of the look and feel of Apple's new OS. Intro | Setup And Interface | Features | Performance | Service And Support
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