Staff Techdrunk 
Apple has introduced the Mac OS X Snow Leopard, which is a refined version of the previous range Mac OS X Leopard. The company is planning to introduce the new version as an upgrade in the month of September, 2009 at an affordable price of Rs. 1380.
Bertrand Serlet, Senior VP, Software Engineering, Apple said, “The Mac OS X Snow Leopard will give users a better experience right from installation to shutdown. Our engineers have done hundreds of improvements and your snow Leopard system will become faster, more responsive and more reliable”.
Apple engineers have refined 90 percent of the projects in the Mac OS X so that users get more responsive finder, a mail that loads messages 85% faster and searches at 90% faster speed. Here are some other features of the version:
- All new QuickTime X along with a redesigned player for easy viewing, recording, trimming and sharing of videos.
- System applications including mail, iChat, finder, iCal and Safari.
- The Snow Leopard supports 64-bit processors and uses a large amount of RAM, thus increases the performance and security. It is still compatible with 32-bit applications.
- It builds support for Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 in Mac OS X mail, iCal and address book.
- It has a time machine with up to 50 percent faster initial backup.
- 64-bit version of Safari 4.
- Apple’s multi-touch trackpad with Voice over screen reader. Now users can hear and navigate to different parts of the window or desktop by moving one finger around the trackpad.
- In-built support for wireless bluetooth braille displays.
The Mac OS X version 10.6 Snow Leopard will be available through the Apple Store, Apple’s retail stores and Apple authorized resellers by the month of September. Buyers will get the Snow Leopard single user license at an approx retail price of Rs. 1380, whereas the Snow Leopard Family pack with a single household five user license is approximately priced at Rs. 2332.
If you are a Tiger user with an Intel-based Mac, the Mac Box set will include Mac OS X Snow Leopard, iLife 09′ and iWork 09′. The single user prices will be Rs. 8046 approx and a Family Pack will cost around Rs. 10,900.
The customers who have purchased a new Mac System after June 8, 2009 or those who will buy it before December 26, 2009 will get the Mac OS X Snow Leopard up-to-date upgrade package along with the system. The shipping and handling charges of Rs. 473.71 will be levied extra. They will have to request for an up-to-date upgrade within 90 days of purchase or by December 26, 2009, whichever comes first.
