Advertisement
 

--------------------------------------------------------------
This story was printed from CNET Asia.
--------------------------------------------------------------
Leopard vs Vista

By Robert Vamosi, CNET.com
02/11/2007
URL: http://asia.cnet.com/digitalliving/tips/0,3800004921,62034075,00.htm

Editors' note :
This shootout is based on tests done by our sister site CNET.com. As such, please note that there may be slight differences in the testing procedure and ratings system. For more information on the actual tests conducted on the software, please inquire directly at the site where the article was originally published.


Mac or PC? Leopard or Vista? If you're in the market for a new computer, the choices may seem endless and limiting all at once.

New Macs generally cost several hundred dollars more than Windows machines that have similar specs, but Mac fans swear the difference is worth the cost for security and ease of use. Plus BootCamp, included with Leopard, can also run Windows. However, diehard Windows devotees insist that their less-expensive systems can run more applications and are more customizable.

Apple Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard touts more than 300 new features. Microsoft didn't advertise as many changes to Windows Vista, which also introduced new eye candy and under-the-hood changes. Here's a rundown of the features offered by each.

  Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard Windows Vista
Overall score 8.0 7.0 (Basic); 7.4 (Home Premium, Business); 7.8 (Ultimate)
Setup and interface 9 7
Features 8 6 (Basic); 7 (Home Premium, Business); 9 (Ultimate)
Performance 7 8
Service and support 7 7
Basics
Cost S$238; S$369 for five users S$340.99 Basic; S$407.62 Premium; S$502.01 Business; S$664.99 Ultimate
System requirements Intel or PowerPC G5 Mac; or PPC G4 with 867MHz+ processor; 512MB of RAM; 9GB available hard drive space; DVD drive 1 GHz processor; 1GB RAM (512 for Basic); 40GB hard drive (20 for Basic) with 15GB available; DVD drive
Applications included Mail; iCal; iChat; Safari browser. iPhoto, iLife, iMovie included with new Macs Windows Mail, Calendar, Photo Gallery, Messenger, Movie Maker; IE 7 browser
Tie-ins to Web-based tools .Mac accounts; Wikipedia Windows Live services
Accessibility for disabilities Speech-to-text commands (not dictation typing); VoiceOver text-to-speech narration (male voice); Braille support Speech-to-text commands and dictation typing; Narrator text-to-speech narration (male or female); magnifier; onscreen keyboard
Energy saving tools Yes; automated sleep and shutdown settings Yes; automated sleep and shutdown settings
Keyboard shortcuts Numerous Numerous; also mouse, sticky, and filter keys
Desktop organization
Search New Finder, Spotlight Instant search; Search folders
Document organization Cover Flow flip-through; Instant Quick Look preview Drop-down arrows replace slashes; Metatags; Larger thumbnails
Virtual desktops Spaces No
Business tools
Remote desktop Remote Desktop , Screen Sharing (in iChat too) Remote Desktop
Videoconferencing iChat Theater Windows Live Meetings; Windows Live Messenger
Security and backup
User account controls Yes Yes; steps you through setup after installation
Firewall Firewall not on by default Windows Firewall
Drive encryption File Vault, AES256 support Ultimate only; Windows BitLocker, EFS
Parental controls Set time limits; Restrict and allow specific sites; log a child's activities Set time limits; Restrict and allow specific sites; log a child's activities.
Backup Time Machine Windows Backup; Restore Points; ShadowCopy
Entertainment
TV Apple TV Windows Media Center; record TV shows on PCs with TV tuners (Premium and Ultimate only)
Gaming OpenGL; both 32- and 64-bit support Direct X10 APIs; both 32- and 64-bit support; Xbox 360 support
Default media player QuickTime Player Windows Media Player
Support
Technical support 90 days free, then S$49 per incident (but if the issue is hardware related, this charge is waived); free user forums; online knowledgebase; technical helpdesk at Apple stores 90 days free, then S$40.77 per incident; built-in performance tuning and self-diagnostics' free user forums; Online knowledge base