Leopard now available for pre-order

Well, that didn't take long -- following the announcement of Leopard's October 26th ship date, Apple's got the new OS available for preorder. Convenient, but it doesn't really stoke the fires of a fanboy's heart like waiting outside a store all night with $129 in sweaty bills, now does it?

[James Ollier @ Oct 16th 2007 10:00AM]

Vista Ultimate Upgrade:
$239.99

*Snigger!*

[roach @ Oct 16th 2007 11:04AM]

But 129 is too expensive for a service pack.
Buy the way I got home premium for 130 Canadian and that was almost a year ago.

[Fox McCloud @ Oct 16th 2007 12:02PM]

Don't you mean snicker?

[andi @ Oct 16th 2007 4:25PM]

ubuntu - whatever flavour you want: free!

now with an interface that easily craps on leopards, better speed and... free

[James Ollier @ Oct 17th 2007 11:35AM]

How dare anyone call this a "Service Pack"

Last lime i checked, MS released Windows service packs that fixed stuff that was rotton in the original release, along with small changes ie: a firewall, wifi and bluetooth support, a pop-up blocker for IE.

Wow, mind blowing stuff...


Each OSX upgrade has seen significant new feaures, better stability, upgrades to free new apps and speed increases, not to mention the seamless integration from PowerPC chips to Intel!


As ironic as it sounds, these apples ain't rotton!

[mlb @ Oct 16th 2007 10:02AM]

If you go to a university that has a pricing agreement with Apple, or if you work for the federal goverment (in the US at least), you can get Leopard at a reduced price. My dad works for the Fed, and he sent me a screen shot of the discounted prices. It is $107 for a single license or $168 for a 5-license family pack. I will be picking up the family pack for myself, my brother, girlfriend, etc.

[John B @ Oct 16th 2007 10:02AM]

As much as I want to try OSX, I'm not going to buy yet ANOTHER piece of hardware (in addition to my five PCs, laptop, and two Sun workstations) in order to try OSX. Come on, Steve! Can we PLEASE have a "generic, can run on PCs with **standardized** hardware" version of OSX so that those of us who are tempted by OSX don't *have* to buy another piece of hardware? I'll be the first in line to buy a copy for a generic platform copy.

Oh, right. The ol' "Apple is a hardware company" dogma. My bad. Well, I'll be more than happy to buy a copy of OSX if I could run it, but I'm not adding yet another box to my equipment just to try out an operating system.

[James Ollier @ Oct 16th 2007 10:13AM]

John, Google "osx86"

[Michael @ Oct 16th 2007 10:19AM]

"As much as I want to try OSX, I'm not going to buy yet ANOTHER piece of hardware"

So, why are you here? Apple's business model just won't allow for a "generic platform copy". And, really, with sales as high as they are (and the stock price to match), why the fuck would Apple risk a good thing to please ridiculous people like you who claim to own 8 computers but whine at the idea of having to buy an Apple machine. You didn't seem to have a problem dropping the cash for your last 8 machines, yet you want Apple to bend over backwards to avoid a 9th?

GTFO, duderino.

[John B @ Oct 16th 2007 10:29AM]

@James:

:) Yes, I understand that, but I'd at least like the ability to show support for Apple (after all, OSX is UNIX-based, and I'm a UNIX admin by profession) and gain access to technical support.

@Michael:

What absolute arrogance. Who the f**k are you to criticize how many pieces of hardware someone owns anyway? Ever heard of "upgrading"? As I build a new PC, I trickle-down the PCs that I have to my wife, my studio, et al. Family members also hand their old hardware off to me when they upgrade because they know that I can find a use for it, even if it means throwing Linux on it and putting it up on eBay. That's why I have the hardware.

And are you REALLY that blinded by Apple fanboyism? The "risk" is for Apple to let people have exposure to OSX and then entice them to purchase genuine, Apple hardware once the user is hooked. Right now, Apple has no chance of gaining a sale from me because I'm not going to buy new hardware. BUT if they would sell OSX for a generic platform, they would at least get money from the software sale and THEN I might be convinced to make my new "PC" a Mac.

It's fanboyism like yours that helps to push the elitism stigma that many PC people have for Mac users. Your unbridled arrogance is not doing ANY favors for Apple.

[han_solo @ Oct 16th 2007 10:47AM]

>Yes, I understand that, but I'd at least like the ability to show support for Apple (

You purchased SPARC's so you could run Solaris, you can purchase Mac's to run MacOS...simple as that.

[c.g. @ Oct 16th 2007 10:52AM]

John... you have it all wrong.. people want to buy apple because of its software.. yes the boxes are cute and different.. but that's not at the core of apple.. software is. They simplify things and get you what you want.. iLife, Time Machine.. stuff that works easily and seemlesly with your peripherals.. you don't have issues on mac as you do with windows, because they do everything.

If they sell OSx to work on any machine, i might buy a Dell and put Osx on it.. you know ? They are in the business of selling hardware and how they do that is by designing beautiful machines that utilize ingenious software...

now the same cannot be said about the iPhone.. they did use great software, amazing technology, but they are not letting us / giving us any options, liberty or movement in that closed space.. which is why i think they should open up the iPhone.. but keep OSx closed to macs only.....

my 2 c

[John B @ Oct 16th 2007 11:03AM]

@han_solo:

You (and Michael) assume WAY too much. All of the Sun hardware I've ever owned came from companies that I used to work for who were throwing them out as well as a from a friend of mine who gets occasional Sun hardware from government surplus. You and Michael need to get together and go bowling or something.

@c.g.:

First off, thank you for not showing the senseless, rabid, frothing-at-the-mouth that others have done.

I understand where you're coming from, but I still think that it would be good for Apple. Would there be a chance of someone buying a Dell and using OSX? Sure. But the whole reason for going to OSX would be to go to something "better". It would make sense (to me anyway) if you're going to take the extra effort to try OSX then decide that you prefer OSX that you would then go the full step and purchase Apple hardware. After all, that's what the operating is really designed for; and since the new Macs *can* run Windows natively if necessary, anyone who has been convinced to go to OSX would be foolish to not go with Apple hardware for their next computer purchase. But it would be easier to convince people by letting them try the OS first without committing to Apple hardware.

Could you buy a Mac, decide that you don't like OSX, and just throw Windows on it? I suppose so, but to me that seems to be a waste of money when you cat get a cheap-o HP at a box store with Windows on it for significantly less than a Mac, hence why I'd much rather be able to try OSX (legitimately) before committing to Apple hardware.

[N30 G30 @ Oct 16th 2007 11:14AM]

John B,

I'm not going to criticize Apple for what they've been doing since their existence. Their hardware, their software.

I'm still shocked Apple started using Intel processors because what I loved about Apple was that their hardware was different. (I'm also a hardware geek [geeeeeeeeeeeeeek!] .) Now it can also run Windows. That idea was insane from the jump.

I would love for Apple to write the insane ammount of drivers to let OS X work anywhere but it just isn't practical. For them the juice isn't worth the sqeeze. That's very understandable.

OS X isn't built for people like us John B. It's built for people that just want a computer without having to understand a computer. I like that idea, but it's not for us. It never really has been.

there's hope in the future for your desiars. Apple is turning more x86 based everyday. hell, they're running Windows. It's sad really. I wish we still had other different hardware. Now I'm reduced to finding crap in thrift shops.

[m1s3r @ Oct 16th 2007 11:18AM]

Man, you sure type a lot of words just to say

"I am a cheapskate"

Don't give up hope yet, maybe someone will give you a free Mac somewhere down the road.

Oh, and there is a place downtown where you can get free soup everyday. I mean, why buy soup? What if you don't like it? I've always wanted to try Manhattan calm chowder, but do I want to pay for & realize it isn't that good? I mean, come on Campbells!

[osalom @ Oct 16th 2007 11:25AM]

OK, then don't

[John B @ Oct 16th 2007 11:37AM]

@N30 G30:

No need to criticize Apple. I think their move to Intel was a good one because now they can more easily entice those who still have to hold onto a few Windows apps but didn't want to run it though 100% software emulation. I would also assume that using Intel was cheaper for them than trying to maintain the PowerPC chipset just because of the volume that Intel manufactures their chips.

@m1s3r:

Wow. Nice ad hominem attack. Is that *really* the kind of levels that rabid, Apple fanboys need to stoop to? It's exactly your kind of intolerance that gives Apple users the undeserved, elitist attitude that they have among many non-Apple users. Apple should be ashamed to have people like you "supporting" it. At least people like c.g. let the rest of us know that there are still Apple users who have a level head on their shoulders.

[Chris J. @ Oct 16th 2007 2:18PM]

Supporting arbitrary x86 hardware is hard. Microsoft spends enormous resources testing its OSes on all sorts of configurations. Hardware manufacturers target Windows users. Nevertheless, when Vista came out, people reported all sorts of driver issues.

Apple only has to support a known, finite set of hardware configurations. This makes the OS more stable and less complex. It makes testing easier. It also keeps support costs down. If you call in a problem with OS X, they don't have to wonder if you've got some off-brand video card or if your motherboard drivers are out of date. The user experience would suffer too. If OS X is being flakey, people are just going to blame the OS, even if it's really some weird hardware issue. The fact that Apple controls the hardware platform is a major reason why everything Just Works.

(I think being a hardware company also lets Apple avoid going down the Microsoft path of activations, "Genuine Advantage", and the like. "You bought a Mac, we trust you.")

Doing the commodity hardware thing would require a great deal of effort on Apple's part. Support staff, testing, drivers for PS2 keyboards, etc. It would also cut sharply into their hardware sales. Maybe they'd end up being so phenomenally successful that it would be a net win. But it would be a really big gamble.

If you really want to test OS X out on your hardware first, there are hacks. It'll violate the EULA, but we won't tell.

[AlexP @ Oct 16th 2007 10:06AM]

I just got a Macbook Pro last week (I had such a great overall experience with my new iMac that I got one to replace my Inspiron 1520), can I get Leopard for free?

[HineyWipe @ Oct 16th 2007 10:14AM]

RTFA. If you bought a mac after 10/1/07, you are entitled to 10.5 ($9.95 s/h fee not included).

Free? Depends on your perspective. Still, not a bad thing for $10.

[Johnathon Zirkle @ Oct 16th 2007 10:15AM]

Here's a link for the details.

http://www.apple.com/macosx/uptodate/

[AlexP @ Oct 16th 2007 10:19AM]

Yay, thanks for letting me know!

[Chicksta @ Oct 16th 2007 10:11AM]

A better idea: preorder it and use your $100 'gift card' from the iPhone if you got one!
And to recent buyers: look at the Apple Web site for 'up-to-date' program; usually you send them a coupon and it's 9.95 or so to ship.

[Michael @ Oct 16th 2007 10:13AM]

"A better idea: preorder it and use your $100 'gift card' from the iPhone if you got one!"

That's exactly what I did. A $35 (including tax) upgrade? What a steal!

[t-bone @ Oct 16th 2007 10:51AM]

@Michael: Before I got Vista, I upgraded Windows XP to SP1 and then SP2 all for free. When Vista SP1 comes out, I'll get to upgrade to that for free, too. Please explain why you are so excited to pay for a point release.

[gb @ Oct 16th 2007 11:30AM]

@t-bone:
The "point release" from 10.4 to 10.5 is analagous to the difference from XP to Vista. The SP1 to SP2 differences are like the differences between OS 10.5.1 and 10.5.10, etc.

[insertAlias @ Oct 16th 2007 11:03AM]

@t-bone
Because this is much closer to the XP-to-Vista upgrade than a SP1-to-SP2 jump. And you did pay for that.
Go look at apple's website, look at the upgrades for leopard. Tell me if SP2 gave that kind of upgrade.

[t-bone @ Oct 16th 2007 11:47AM]

The analogy fails when the version number doesn't increment by 1. You are still paying for an OSX update.

[Michael @ Oct 16th 2007 1:12PM]

@Whoever It Was: Point upgrade? You're such a jackass. I would drop $129 for Time Machine alone. The rest of Leopard is just a bonus, you lame fanboy.

[eckndu @ Oct 16th 2007 10:34AM]

nice thing that Canadian price is the same as the US,$129

[halfeatenfish @ Oct 16th 2007 10:43AM]

Canadians screwed again!!! Last I checked $129 CAD > $129 USD!!!

Oh evil irony!!!

[josh @ Oct 16th 2007 10:17AM]

students might be interested in this...
http://developer.apple.com/products/student.html

you get osx and a big discount on one piece of apple hardware for $99

[Jt @ Oct 16th 2007 10:17AM]

It's a shame that they took away the Student Discount, I really cannot afford to upgrade my Powerbook and G5 at this point. (Actually, I can't justify spending $199 to buy the family pack, as I won't be needing three of the licenses)

Truthfully, one of the most attractive aspects of buying from from Apple has been the Education Discount.

Oh well, you'll have to wait awhile to get my green, Steve.

[shaun @ Oct 16th 2007 10:17AM]

Guys I know this might not be construed as morally great, but I'm doing research for a book and I just wanted to see if any of you guys know if the single user version of Leopard could be installed on more than one machine, or is there an actual limitation to stop it, meaning the family pack needs to be bought instead?

I know with iLife and iWork 08 it didnt make a difference

Thanks if anyone can help!

[Hojoon Kim @ Oct 16th 2007 10:28AM]

hahahaha... research... good excuse.

but since I was curious too, here's my answer: It worked for Tiger, I don't know for Leopard.

[shaun @ Oct 16th 2007 10:31AM]

Thanks, its just that with the university discount the single user license is less than half the price of the multi user one, so you can see the dilemma

[Hojoon Kim @ Oct 16th 2007 10:22AM]

For Tiger, it was $59 for educational customers.
What the hell, Apple? How is $129 significantly different than $116?
I mean, the whole point of discount for students is to appeal them to buy it even though their bank account is in the s**tter.

[Brad @ Oct 16th 2007 2:35PM]

Apple doesn't really have all that many non-student customers anymore. High penetration in the under 18 crowd, moderate penetration in the 18-23, and dismally low (less than 1%) of the 24+ crowd. If they give big discounts to students, where would their profit come from?

Oh right, the iPod.

[Hojoon Kim @ Oct 16th 2007 7:42PM]

Profit? I thought Steve only needed to get paid $1 a year.
I can understand for hardware but for software?
Come on, if educational pricing is that high most people might just download it off p2p rather than buying it as usual

[PeteC @ Oct 17th 2007 4:33AM]

Interstingly, the UK version is overpriced compared to the american version as it's £85 but with educational discount, it goes down substantially to £58.50 when you order from the UK HE store which puts it pretty close to the converion of the USA edu price into £'s, it might even work out a bit cheaper which makes a nice change since we always end up paying a premium for living on this little ole island of ours.

The UK Edu discounts are still pretty reasonable so maybe people in the UK haven't been abusing it as badly so they haven't felt the need to cut back on it.

[Craig @ Oct 16th 2007 10:26AM]

If I live nowhere near a B&M Apple Store, and I want Leopard in my hands on Sat 10/27, then I shouldn't order from the online Apple Store, right? They won't ship overnight, will they?

Maybe it would be better to order from Amazon since they offer Saturday overnight for only like $5 (if you have Prime)?

Anybody have any good strategies for getting the disc on Saturday, for those of us w/o access to a B&M and who want to spend all weekend playing with Leopard?

[Anthony @ Oct 16th 2007 10:32AM]

So when will Leopard start shipping on ACTUAL mac computers? I have been waiting to get a new macbook pro but wanted to wait for Leopard to come out so I didn't have to upgrade after the fact.

[quandmeme @ Oct 16th 2007 10:46AM]

And does this (a simple release with no press event) kill the chances of a macbook and mini refresh at the same time?

[Ralph @ Oct 16th 2007 10:51AM]

Disclaimer: I am a Mac user.

Post: God, I am sick of these f***ing Mac OS vs Windows OS threads.

To each his own, and STFU.

[Dave @ Oct 16th 2007 10:54AM]

I've heard about some "free upgrade" for people who bought a mac during september/october 2007... is it true?

[MS @ Oct 16th 2007 11:02AM]

For those on this side of the pond...

UK price is £85... rough conversion $172 - What planet are they on?

[roach @ Oct 16th 2007 11:07AM]

..oops, sorry half a year ago.

[samson @ Oct 16th 2007 11:11AM]

Sone online retailers, like macmall(well, they are the only one I am aware of-but there may be others), are offering $20 rebates and accepting preorders. For the math whizzes that is 109 for a single user. Now the masses can stop pretending to be students, keep their integrity, and save some cash.

[samson @ Oct 16th 2007 11:12AM]

Some online retailers, like macmall(well, they are the only one I am aware of but there may be others), are offering $20 rebates and accepting preorders. For the math whizzes that is 109 for a single user. Now the masses can stop pretending to be students, keep their integrity, and save some cash.

[samson @ Oct 16th 2007 11:13AM]

Update: I'm currently investing the money I saved in a spell checker.