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February 27, 2008 12:00 AM

Paul's Picks

Paul Thurrott
Windows IT Pro
InstantDoc ID #98059
Rating: (6)
Executive Summary:

Should you go with Leopard, Apple's latest Mac OS version? It's solid but no reason to switch from Windows. Apple's iPhone has been updated with Google maps and other features and might excite your inner techie.

Summaries of in-depth product reviews on Paul Thurrott’s SuperSite for Windows www.winsupersite.com

Apple Mac OS X Leopard 10.5
Pros: A continuation of the solid Mac OS X; better network browsing
Cons: Buggy initial release; no clear value proposition when compared to Windows Vista
Rating: 5
Recommendation: Leopard disappoints only in that it’s not the major upgrade that Apple touts. A continuation of the mature and capable Tiger, Leopard’s new features are hard to spot: a backup application, Time Machine, that’s laughably childish; a multiple-desktop utility called Spaces; and that’s about it. Leopard has been given a spit-shine, though some features aren’t as successful as others. Particularly bad are the Stacks pop-up windows and the bland folder icons. Apple continually updates its products, though, so these nitpicks might be fixed by the time you read this. Overall, Leopard is a solid update but offers no reason to switch from Windows.
Contact: Apple • 800-275-2273 • apple.com
Discussion: www.winsupersite.com/article/reviews/apple-mac-os-x-105-leopard-review.aspx

Apple iPhone 1.1.3
Pros: Dramatic new functionality; IMAP support for Gmail
Cons: No Microsoft Exchange support; Microsoft Outlook calendar sync is broken
Rating:
Recommendation: As flawed as it is technically exciting, Apple’s recent major iPhone update adds a slew of functionality and plugs holes from previous releases. Now, the iPhone Home screen lets you push superfluous icons to a secondary page and add Web application shortcuts called Web Clips. Google Maps has been updated with a GPS-like location function, and the Mail application fully supports IMAP-based Gmail. Lack of Exchange support limits iPhone’s appeal for corporations. And Outlook calendar sync doesn’t work right on many Windows-based PCs.
Contact: Apple • 800-275-2273 • apple.com
Discussion: www.winsupersite.com/article/reviews/apple-iphone-review-part-8-but-wait-theres-more.aspx#113

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  • First
    4 years ago
    Oct 30, 2008

    "Time Machine, that’s laughably childish..."

    You don't get it. Vista can do exactly what Apple's Time Machine does - it can take incremental backups of files and restore those files if required. But does the average PC user regularly do backups? No way! There are even businesses that do not keep regular backups. The number 1 reason people don't do backups is due to complexity. The beauty of Time Machine is that Apple looked at the situation and said, "how can we make a simple to use, and highly effective way to encourage people to make regular backups". Time Machine is so easy to setup and works automatically. Sure, it doesn't have 1001 different features - but for more demanding users they can download or purchase any of the many Mac backups programs available.

    Go to the average computer user and ask them to set up Time Machine on a Mac and Vista's backup features on a PC. Then ask that person to restore some files... Then ask them which one they thought was easier and better.... THEN you'll get it.

  • First
    4 years ago
    Oct 30, 2008

    ONLY, ONLY, ONLY on windowsitpro.com from Paul Thurrott would you hear, "no clear value proposition when compared to Windows Vista". Microsoft is now abandoning the "Vista" name because their customers hate Vista and sales remain WAY below expectation. Leopard and Macs on the other hard are having record marketshare growth.

    Yet Thurrott still believes Leopard offers, "no clear value proposition when compared to Windows Vista". ROFL

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