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Alright

I know it only just been released but has anyone got their hands on the new version of Tiger, what do you think? is it worth the upgrade from Panther i am a little unsure it is worth the money.

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A short, practical summary for and anyone still deciding: the visible changes in Tiger are modest for everyday users, but under the hood it added a lot of developer- and media-focused technology that matters if you use image/video apps, automation, or need future compatibility. Several posters here have different opinions about the UI value — some like the new bits, others see most of the improvements as "nice to have" — so the upgrade is worth it only if the specific new tech or compatibility it adds is important to you. (If Panther handles everything you do today, staying put is a reasonable choice.)

What Tiger actually brings (beyond cosmetics) includes Automator workflows, Core Image/Core Video for GPU-accelerated effects, QuickTime 7 with H.264 support, Mail/iCal improvements, an updated developer toolchain (Xcode 2), and server-side 64‑bit capability — each of these enables workflows and apps that Panther cannot. These are documented in Apple's Tiger announcement. (Apple press release.)

Practical compatibility and performance notes: Tiger requires a PowerPC G3/G4/G5 Mac with built-in FireWire and at least 256 MB RAM, but real-world use benefits from 512 MB or more. GPU-accelerated features (Core Image/Core Video) depend on a programmable graphics chip; older cards will fall back to the CPU and show less benefit. Also note Tiger is the last Mac OS X release to include the Classic (Mac OS 9) compatibility layer on PowerPC machines, so if you depend on legacy OS 9 apps that factors into the decision. (Apple press release; Macworld Core Image writeup; LowEndMac summary; Classic environment notes.)

Quick upgrade checklist to save time and avoid surprises:

  1. Do a full bootable backup/clone and verify it.
  2. Check RAM and consider upgrading to 512 MB+ if possible.
  3. Check your GPU in System Profiler for Core Image/Quartz Extreme support; check printer/scanner driver compatibility.
  4. If you rely on OS 9 apps, confirm Classic will run on your machine.
    If those checks pass, an in-place upgrade is usually safe; if not, wait or add RAM/replace hardware first.

References: Apple Tiger announcement (April 12, 2005) — https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2005/04/12Apple-to-Ship-Mac-OS-X-Tiger-on-April-29/; Macworld Core Image overview — https://www.macworld.com/article/175484/tigercoreimage.html; LowEndMac Tiger notes — https://lowendmac.com/2005/mac-os-x-10-4-tiger/; Classic environment details — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mac_OS_X_Tiger.

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Member Avatar for gortonsfi

Ok, This is big, I'm so upset with Dani I think my eyes are going to bleed. It's been almost 24 hours since Tiger was released and the Mac OS X forum still doesn't mention Tiger in the description! :twisted: heheheheh Just teasing.

But let's hear some comments on it. Surely people have it up and installed now!

My hopes and dreams were dashed to pieces last night when I drove an hour to the Apple Store and found out they weren't going to honor the Educational Discount at the stores, just online. So, being the thrifty fellow I am I decided to wait and save the 60 bucks. That's right I'm saving the money and You'uns can just put up with it.


:!:

Member Avatar for yellow

Unfortunately, my video card isn't supporte with CoreImage (it's an nVidia GeForce 4 Ti), so I don't get to see that aspect of Tiger's quality. So far, I'm not impressed that much. There are some fundamental changes that take some getting used to. Personally, I feel like the polished look of Panther might have been superior to those of Tiger. But I've really only had it installed and running the way I want for 20 hours, so I'll report back on it's "worthiness".

Member Avatar for Dani

I like Spotlight. That's really the only noticable difference for me. Dashboard seems to be more of being there as a bell and whistle eye candy instead of anything useful. Maybe that would change with more widgets. I love my good ole Expose though.

Member Avatar for Tekmaven

Mac OS X 10.4 "Tiger": Over a year of development, and not one really useful feature :-).


Woah, this could be the smallest step forward since the move to the one button mouse!

Just to clarify, the only thing Spotlight is useful for (to me) is quickly launching apps. Quicksilver is/was much better at doing this. As for the new widget crap, I liked Konfabulator much more.

Member Avatar for gortonsfi

meh, on the other hand there's your beloved Longhorn, how are you liking that? heheheh Maybe next year? ;-) tee-hee-hee

Member Avatar for yellow

Spotlight is certainly fast. I've used it a couple times so far. I just don't care for it being in my toolbar.

And I compltetly agree, Dashboard is useless eyecandy. It's too slow for me to care all that much. Maybe when there are some more widgets out.

I do like the additions of the new utils to the Installer DVD (particularly the addition of Terminal. Awesome for forensics/troublshooting serious problems).

Member Avatar for Studio

From what i am reading it isnt worth the money for my needs anyway. i am happy with panther so i'm, gonna leave it

Member Avatar for Tekmaven

meh, on the other hand there's your beloved Longhorn, how are you liking that? heheheh Maybe next year? ;-) tee-hee-hee

Sigh, your just talking to the wrong person. Perhaps you'd like to start a new thread bashing longhorn, and I'll post all of my comebacks there. :rolleyes:

Tiger is a nice OS, but is it so much better than Panther? Dunno...

Member Avatar for gortonsfi

Sigh, your just talking to the wrong person. Perhaps you'd like to start a new thread bashing longhorn, and I'll post all of my comebacks there. :rolleyes:

Tiger is a nice OS, but is it so much better than Panther? Dunno...

Nothing against Longhorn, Just teasing you ;)


But about Tiger, surely there must be something that makes it worth the money. I heard the Printer utility was updated? :cheesy:

Member Avatar for Dani

Yeah, the printer utility has a nicer interface now, IMO. But, of course, that's just the UI - CUPS is still CUPS.

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