Leopard pre-orders shipping, blowout coverage commencing

As dozens of commenters have noted, Leopard pre-orders have started shipping out from Apple's magical workshops, and since the votes are resoundingly in favor of blowout coverage, we're getting ready to bring it to you. It doesn't look like anyone's gotten a (legitimate) copy yet, but rest assured we'll be all over it as soon as our package arrives -- we swear the FedEx guy looked a little nervous today.

[rhogan @ Oct 25th 2007 3:20PM]

Resounding huh? Or you could say that 56.1% of engadget readers do NOT want blowout coverage.

[Justin Maldonado @ Oct 25th 2007 3:35PM]

thats kinda how I saw it too

[ryan10ad @ Oct 25th 2007 3:47PM]

If you want non Apple coverage I suggest you get Engadget via RSS, as they do a special feed for people like you (NO Apple through yahoo´s pipes)

[Justin @ Oct 25th 2007 3:59PM]

@ryan10ad

Non-blowout coverage does not necessarily equal zero coverage. I don't know about rhogan, but I want coverage. I just don't want coverage out of proportion to the way the real world sees Leopard and how much of an upgrade Leopard is over Tiger (i.e. not a big deal and not a big upgrade). I can't help it that the distribution of engadget readers is weighted far more in favor of Apple than the rest of the world.

[Johnny5 @ Oct 25th 2007 4:17PM]

I mean, it's a site about gadgetry. Here is a big new gadget. It should be covered in a big way. Why else would this site exist?

Go outside and play with your dog or something - and then when you want to learn about 10.5 - come back here.

[Surur @ Oct 25th 2007 4:30PM]

Hey, I heard Samsung has 5% of the mp3 player market also. Lets have blow-out coverage of the latest Yepp too. We all so love to hear about a product being used by an insignificant portion of the market.

[huh @ Oct 25th 2007 4:34PM]

I agree completely, not surprisingly Engadget editors don't know how to do stats and read their audience.

The real question is, does increased OS X coverage detract from other coverage, besides it being buried? Hype can lead to bad manifest destiny effects.

The other question is, why doesn't Engadget simply implement a preferences setting for interests. But make it half decent, I'd want to know important Apple news, just not all of it. The Facebook slider selector is a good example. And using a cookie as an alternative to creating an account would be nice.

[rhogan @ Oct 25th 2007 4:34PM]

I basically agree with Justin's (number two) comments. I'm fine with covering it, but don't think blowout coverage is needed. I don't think vista should get a blowout either.

I want to read about lots of different gadgets, not every little nuance of just one gadget. If i want that i'll buy it and read the manual, or goto the gadgets website.

[JimD @ Oct 25th 2007 8:31PM]

Well, like it says....they did it for VISTA...now they'll do it for OS X 10.5. Don't like it? Fuck off.

[nerdtalker @ Oct 25th 2007 9:14PM]

Votes are resoundingly in favor of it? I think not.

My vote is most definitely NOT in favor of several days of dragged-out apple-fanboy applegasm overjoyness at ALL the new features, each and every one touted and re-hyped and re-touted and discussed and picked apart and then re-compared to Vista and XP and 9x and 2000 and argued over and...

I think I've made my point.

[Mike10010100 @ Oct 25th 2007 10:17PM]

I believe that some people are acting under the impression that the internet (or rather, the space in it to store information) is finite, and there can only be a certain amount of news before the site runs out of space, and then "BOOM!" no more Engadget.

Or maybe they will run out of space in their heads.....

Frankly, i think this whole argument is stupid. You really should have your computer checked out if it is forcing you to click into these different articles. Maybe you should take my approach to reading Engadget: quickly look at the picture and title of the article and then if you don't like it MOVE ON! It takes about 2 seconds, you should try it.

[Simon P @ Oct 25th 2007 3:20PM]

can we still get the apple-less version of engadget?....and if so, how again?

[AlexP @ Oct 25th 2007 3:35PM]

Baring in mind that you wouldn't mind anything from Apple provided that they'd offer everything they sell in brown, with an accompanying BSOD surrounded by a glimpse of RROD. :P

I honestly fail to understand how you people get annoyed by news.
Stop staring at your screens and do something else, or simply don't click on the RSS feed, if it's truly an issue for you. :P

[Natedog @ Oct 25th 2007 4:02PM]

"Baring in mind that you wouldn't mind anything from Apple provided that they'd offer everything they sell in brown, with an accompanying BSOD surrounded by a glimpse of RROD. :P"

You spelled "bearing" incorrectly. Also, why does everyone assume that just because someone doesn't like Apple, they love all things Microsoft? The Zune and the iPod aren't the only things out there. Windows and Macintosh aren't the only things out there. And the Xbox360 and... oh wait, never mind.

[Simon P @ Oct 25th 2007 4:05PM]

Dude, someone needs a Valium. It was a simple question so that I can skip the blizzard of Apple stuff that doesn't concern me for the next couple of days. It's been provided before and I was just wondering if it still exists. You sir, need to relax.

[prokanda @ Oct 25th 2007 4:40PM]

@ Alex P.

Yeah.. it's not like apple sells exploding batteries..... or sub-par screens that trap moisture..... or change up the iphone's software so you're locked into using "approved" (see: non-existant) applications, or a change in the database structure of iPods to disable people using them the way they want... or making it so that the new iPods can't use previously purchased games... or having notebooks with lines on the screen..

..I could be here all day.

Only difference is... MANY MANY MANY more people use Microsoft products, and even being as big as MS is, they STILL manage to eventually admit that they have made mistakes and correct them. Now I'm gonna go back to Halo 3 on the replacement 360 that was sent to me completely free of charge with a full month of complimentary XBOX Live Gold for my troubles....

[prokanda @ Oct 25th 2007 4:44PM]

@ Alex P:

oh yeah.. and because the ipod comes in brown, red, pink, white... oh yeah.. it's either white or black (or the new ones in black or silver)... because you know, Apple offered more than two colors on the full-sized iPods in the past right?

(and before you get your panties in a knot, I'm a completely happy owner of a 5.5G black iPod, not a Zune.. I just like to step back and take things into perspective.. you know.. not be a fan-boy like, well.. I'm not gonna point any fingers.)

[AlexP @ Oct 25th 2007 4:55PM]

Take a chill pill, folks. The smilies were there to indicate that I was kidding around, as text does not really translate sarcasm or humor well.

I certainly know that Apple nor its products are perfect.

As for the guy who's trying to discredit me or whatever by attacking my spelling skills: bear in mind two things: I was using a laptop and I learned most of my English from the good ol' World Wide Web (as in: I wasn't born speaking English).

[Constable Odo @ Oct 25th 2007 4:58PM]

No such thing as the Apple-less version of Engadget anymore. Everything's coming up Apples now, so you might as well get used to it. It's sorta like the New World Order.

One sure way to avoid seeing Apple articles every fifteen minutes would be to pluck out your own eyeballs each time you enter Engadget's site. I think that would be best for everyone's sake.

[AlexP @ Oct 25th 2007 5:00PM]

Also, I may as well point out that you people are really quick to start calling people fanboys.

Has the term become like, the ultimate insult to attack someone that disagrees with you or simply makes a joke about a certain company? Although that I'll be showing up in the nearest Apple store to pick up a copy of Leopard, it's because mine is free and I figured it'd be a nice excuse to find out if I could get a replacement Macbook Pro, since mine came with a bright pixel and based on a rumor I read, they would replace it. And what the hell, I get a free t-shirt. For the 6 bucks of fuel I'll be spending as opposed to the 5 or so bucks I'd be spending to receive it by mail, I think it's worth it. Don't you agree?

[jacob @ Oct 25th 2007 5:11PM]

the whole 'mac vs pc' thing is done. there is only one type of machine that [successfully, no osx86 crap] will run any os you want. apple has you on that one. in fact, i am running them both right now. i need windows, and i need osx. i can, essentially, run any application [c'mon, consumer stuff only] i want. i would put umbuntu on, but why.

all rivalries aside, this is a monumental os release for many reasons. this will bring [true] 64bit computing to the masses. unix compliance. resolution independence, there's more and if your reading this you probably already know what they are. the FACT of the matter is this is most definitely the most advanced software for consumer use. i don't hate either one. i don't completely love either one.



for you natedog >>>

""'You spelled "bearing" incorrectly.""
who cares? [he must not be running leopard yet. it spell checks everything, everywhere.]

""Also, why does everyone assume that just because someone doesn't like Apple, they love all things Microsoft?""
well, the rivalry is between microsoft and apple. most people prefer one or the other. why would you not get that???

""The Zune and the iPod aren't the only things out there.""
your right, but its mostly ipods. the population has selected it to be superior. deal with it.

""Windows and Macintosh aren't the only things out there.""
it turns out they are the most common though. sorry.

"" And the Xbox360 and... oh wait, never mind.'""
no doubt, the 360 is wicked. i'll be playing hours of h3 on in a couple hours. why is the only computer microsoft makes a gaming system??? i think microsoft would do really well to make their own systems. they could even build a proprietary version of vista to ensure more reliability. ultimately, that's apple's advantage. os x is so reliable and powerful, because they are in complete control of the base hardware set. it makes sense really.

its all good tho. i mean, we are advancing on all fronts. who here things microsoft didn't need a little more competition?

peace

[david @ Oct 26th 2007 12:19AM]

@prokanda I just wasted five minutes of my life reading every post you have made here. You are one of the kings of haterade here. Lighten up, stop hating, get laid. go to X17 and give your hate to a worthwhile cause like britney spears.

[Simon P @ Oct 26th 2007 12:29AM]

Thanks Constable. Yours was really the only answer that was warranted on the entire thread in relation to my original question. I'm no Apple hater, just not an Apple user and could do without the the bombardments for the next few days. I appreciate the answer to my question.

[cap'n @ Oct 25th 2007 3:22PM]

Can't wait. Hey, can anyone confirm whether or not Time Machine will boot from the install disc in case of system crash? I'm guessing so...

[Nick @ Oct 25th 2007 3:32PM]

Ahem. It's looking good so far. No major bugs from my end.
Though not a massive overhaul from Tiger, I quite like stacks - not sure how much I'll use Time machine though!

p.s. please, don't ask me where I got it.

[Kizorblade @ Oct 25th 2007 3:31PM]

So... Where'd you get it?


Joking, joking =)

[ryan10ad @ Oct 25th 2007 3:44PM]

Hay, It is a huge improvement over Redmonds offerings

[Nick @ Oct 25th 2007 3:50PM]

I don't doubt that. It's damn nice.
Did I mention it's sooo fast on my MBP?

[bobartig @ Oct 27th 2007 3:12PM]

>p.s. please, don't ask me where I got it.

Yeah, whatever. I'm guessing it starts with a "B", and rhymes with "Bittorrent" =P

[Neil Christie @ Oct 25th 2007 3:34PM]

I called Apple and asked why my order (placed weeks ago at the UK Higher Education online store) had not shipped. They said they'll be sending thme ON the 26th October, meaning the earliest anyone will get them is Monday.

And they wonder why people turn to piracy. This sort of customer service is disgusting and shows a real arrogance - any other online retailer would have done the decent thing and send the discs out a day early so they arrived on the day of release.

[Jason @ Oct 25th 2007 3:37PM]

Quit being a wanker and calm down already. Yeah, terrible customer service. Give me a break...

[Neil @ Oct 25th 2007 3:41PM]

I don't really think I'm being unreasonable to expect the thing to be sent by now when it specifically says "Ships by October 26" on the page where I ordered it. "By" implies that the disc will be sent before then, so when the clock strikes midnight tonight and it's not been sent they're no longer upholding their promise.

I don't see what's so difficult. I frequently order games which come in larger packages and these always arrive on day of release and believe me, they're a hell of a lot more exciting. I don't quite understand what Apple thinks is so special about the most insignificant paid-for OS upgrade since Windows Me that it deserves some stupid can-never-be-upheld embargo.

[jus10 @ Oct 25th 2007 4:10PM]

"Ships by October 26th" means that it will ship out by Friday which according to your conversation with Apple is what is going to happen. I'm on the other side of the pond and mine says "Delivers by October 26th". In that case, I expect it tomorrow (its in the hands of Fedex now and will be here by 10AM tomorrow).

Now if it has said when you ordered it, Delivered on October 26th and now its Monday then you would have reason to blast Apple.

[Macroy @ Oct 25th 2007 4:43PM]

"Ships" doesn't usually mean "delivers".

[Kilton @ Oct 25th 2007 5:27PM]

lol wtf? how do you interpret "ships by" to mean "arrives by"? seriously, how?

[Neil Christie @ Oct 25th 2007 5:43PM]

You're all getting a bit mixed up. Ships by implies that it will ship BEFORE the date. If they were going to ship it ON the day they would say ships on 26th October.

This is why I ordered it from them. If it said "Ships on October 26" I wouldn't have done so.

So, following "Ships by October 26" means it will ship at the very latest on October 25. This means that it will arrive on October 26 since they always use overnight couriers.

[Bryan @ Oct 25th 2007 3:35PM]

Actually, to me it seems like the vote is going towards, please don't. 56 percent of the people that voted; voted against a blow-out of Leopard news.

[Jason @ Oct 25th 2007 3:36PM]

Clearly you don't know how to read the results of a poll.

[matthew @ Oct 25th 2007 5:17PM]

Dang sucks so many people have to wait for shipping...im loving it right now

Wish it was a little more different then Tiger but whatever...if only my core2duo PC gaming rig was as fun as this with vista and xp

[Argot @ Oct 25th 2007 3:37PM]

Yes. Let's write endless pointless articles about how they ship the box. That sounds great! It's the pinnacle of journalism!

[anonymous @ Oct 25th 2007 3:37PM]

I'll take my week of absence now.

[SteveJ @ Oct 25th 2007 3:38PM]

I'm opting to wait for 10.6. No, actually I just don't have any Macs (at home) that can run 10.5. So really I'm waiting until that magical day when I can actually buy a new Mac.

[John M @ Oct 25th 2007 3:45PM]

Can you download Leopard from the Apple site?

Or, do you have to actually buy the box?

How many Liscences does it come with as I have 2 Macs.

[Shawin @ Oct 25th 2007 4:08PM]

No, you can't download from Apple.
Yes you have to buy the box. (Or download from elsewhere)
You can get a family license (for a few Macs) if you buy the family option which costs a little more.

[bobartig @ Oct 25th 2007 4:22PM]

The family pack is $199, and has 5 licenses. I don't really know how the family license works, i.e. how they define a family and what not.

[mac snooper @ Oct 25th 2007 4:48PM]

FYI FOR THE FAMILY LIC....

* The Family Pack Software License Agreement allows you to install and use one copy of the Apple software on up to a maximum of five (5) Apple-labeled computers at a time as long as those computers are located in the same household and used by persons who occupy that household. By “household” we mean a person or persons who share the same housing unit such as a home, apartment, mobile home, or condominium, including student members who are primary residents of that household but reside at a separate on-campus location. This license does not extend to business or commercial users.

[ethana2 @ Oct 25th 2007 5:42PM]

Apple's not getting a cent from me until they send their trusted platform modules to hades.

Have they been sued for that yet? Microsoft can't even bundle a media player with their OS. How the heck does Apple get away with locking their OS to their hardware? That's crap. I either want a distro that mimics their UI concepts or... meh, I'll just get an account on hackint0sh.org or something.

[Justin @ Oct 25th 2007 3:52PM]

1. Your poll results don't mean what you think they mean.

2. Your poll hasn't even been up for a whole day yet; therefore it is far from meaningfully resoundingly in favor of anything, no matter what the current results say.

[AzrealJG @ Oct 25th 2007 3:52PM]

Don't you have a sister site, TUAW (The Unofficial Apple WebLog) which seems, to me, the ideal site for 100,000 Posts on Leopard over the next few weeks?

[Kennyb123 @ Oct 25th 2007 3:56PM]

LOL... we were PUNKED. They seperated all the NO answers and didn't add them together.

If there was a YES / NO poll... it would be 55/45 in the favor of NO BLOWOUT COVERAGE.

The poll was a formality. Engadget was going to do it no matter what.