Mac OS X Snow Leopard: Difference between revisions

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[[File:OSXLeopard.svg|thumb|OSXLeopard]] {{Infobox OS
[[File:OSXLeopard.svg|thumb]] {{Infobox OS
| name = Mac OS X Snow Leopard
| name = Mac OS X Snow Leopard
| logo = Mac OS X Snow Leopard logo.png
| logo = Mac OS X Snow Leopard logo.png
| screenshot = Mac OS X Snow Leopard Desktop.png
| caption = Mac OS X Snow Leopard desktop
| developer = [[Apple Inc.]]
| developer = [[Apple Inc.]]
| family = [[Unix-like]], [[Mac OS]]
| family = [[Unix-like]]
| source_model = [[Closed source]] (with open source components)
| source_model = [[Closed source]] with open source components
| released = {{Start date|2009|08|28}}
| released = August 28, 2009
| latest_release_version = 10.6.8
| latest_release_version = 10.6.8
| latest_release_date = {{Start date|2011|07|25}}
| kernel_type = [[Hybrid kernel]]
| kernel_type = [[Hybrid kernel]]
| license = [[Apple Public Source License]] and others
| license = [[Apple Public Source License]]
| preceded_by = [[Mac OS X Leopard]]
| preceded_by = [[Mac OS X Leopard]]
| succeeded_by = [[Mac OS X Lion]]
| succeeded_by = [[Mac OS X Lion]]
| website =
}}
}}


'''Mac OS X Snow Leopard''' (version 10.6) is an operating system developed by [[Apple Inc.]] and is the seventh major release of [[macOS]], Apple's desktop and server operating system for [[Macintosh]] computers. Snow Leopard was publicly unveiled on June 8, 2009, at the [[Apple Worldwide Developers Conference]] (WWDC) and was released on August 28, 2009. Unlike previous versions of Mac OS X, Snow Leopard focused on improving performance, efficiency, and reducing its overall memory footprint rather than adding new end-user features.
'''Mac OS X Snow Leopard''' (version 10.6) is an operating system developed by [[Apple Inc.]] and released on August 28, 2009. It is the seventh major release of [[Mac OS X]], Apple's desktop and server operating system for [[Macintosh]] computers.
 
== Overview ==
Mac OS X Snow Leopard was marketed as having "refined" the previous version, [[Mac OS X Leopard]], with a focus on performance enhancements, greater efficiency, and the reduction of its overall memory footprint. Unlike previous versions of Mac OS X, Snow Leopard did not introduce a large number of new features, but rather focused on "under the hood" changes.


== Features ==
== Features ==
Snow Leopard introduced several new features and enhancements, including:


* **Performance Improvements**: Snow Leopard was optimized to improve the performance of the operating system. It included a new version of the [[Finder (software)|Finder]] rewritten in [[Cocoa (API)|Cocoa]].
=== Performance Improvements ===
* **Support for Microsoft Exchange**: Snow Leopard included out-of-the-box support for [[Microsoft Exchange]] Server 2007, allowing users to integrate their [[Mail (Apple)|Mail]], [[Address Book (application)|Address Book]], and [[iCal]] applications with Exchange.
Snow Leopard was designed to improve the performance of the Mac OS X operating system. It introduced a number of enhancements that made the system faster and more responsive. These included:
* **Grand Central Dispatch**: A technology that made it easier for developers to write applications that take advantage of multi-core processors.
 
* **OpenCL**: A framework for writing programs that execute across heterogeneous platforms consisting of [[Central processing unit|CPUs]] and [[Graphics processing unit|GPUs]].
* '''64-bit Architecture''': Snow Leopard was the first Mac OS X version to fully support 64-bit applications, allowing for improved performance and the ability to use more than 4GB of RAM.
* **64-bit Architecture**: Snow Leopard was the first Mac OS X release to fully support 64-bit applications, allowing for improved performance and the ability to use more than 4GB of RAM.
* '''Grand Central Dispatch''': This technology was introduced to optimize the use of multi-core processors, allowing applications to run more efficiently by distributing tasks across multiple cores.
* **QuickTime X**: A new version of [[QuickTime]] with a simplified user interface and optimized for modern media formats.
* '''OpenCL''': OpenCL (Open Computing Language) allowed developers to tap into the power of the [[GPU]] for general-purpose computing tasks, improving performance for applications that could leverage this technology.
 
=== User Interface Enhancements ===
While Snow Leopard did not focus on new user-facing features, it did include some refinements to the user interface:
 
* '''Exposé Integration in the Dock''': Exposé, a feature for managing open windows, was integrated into the Dock, allowing users to view all open windows of an application by clicking and holding its icon in the Dock.
* '''Stacks''': The Stacks feature in the Dock was improved, allowing users to scroll through files in a stack and view them in a grid or list view.


== System Requirements ==
=== System Enhancements ===
The system requirements for Mac OS X Snow Leopard are:


* An Intel-based Mac (Snow Leopard does not support [[PowerPC]]-based Macs)
* '''Finder''': The Finder was rewritten in [[Cocoa (API)|Cocoa]], resulting in a more responsive and stable experience.
* 1 GB of RAM
* '''QuickTime X''': A new version of QuickTime, called QuickTime X, was introduced with a simplified interface and support for modern codecs.
* 5 GB of available disk space
* '''Safari 4''': The Safari web browser was updated to version 4, offering improved performance and support for modern web standards.
* DVD drive for installation
 
== Compatibility ==
Snow Leopard was the first version of Mac OS X to drop support for [[PowerPC]]-based Macs, requiring an [[Intel]] processor. This marked a significant transition for Mac users, as it meant that only Intel-based Macs could run Snow Leopard.


== Reception ==
== Reception ==
Mac OS X Snow Leopard received positive reviews for its performance improvements and reduced memory footprint. It was praised for its stability and efficiency, making it a popular choice among Mac users.
Mac OS X Snow Leopard was generally well-received by critics and users alike. It was praised for its performance improvements, stability, and the refinement of existing features. The decision to focus on "under the hood" changes rather than new features was seen as a positive move by many, as it resulted in a more polished and efficient operating system.


== Related Pages ==
== Also see ==
* [[Mac OS X Leopard]]
* [[Mac OS X Leopard]]
* [[Mac OS X Lion]]
* [[Mac OS X Lion]]
* [[macOS]]
* [[Apple Inc.]]
* [[Apple Inc.]]
* [[Finder (software)]]
* [[Macintosh]]
* [[QuickTime]]
* [[Unix-like]]
* [[Microsoft Exchange]]


== See Also ==
{{Mac OS X}}
* [[List of macOS versions]]
* [[History of macOS]]


[[Category:MacOS]]
[[Category:Mac OS X]]
[[Category:Apple Inc. software]]
[[Category:2009 software]]
[[Category:2009 software]]
[[Category:Operating systems]]
[[Category:Apple operating systems]]
 
{{macOS}}
{{Apple Inc.}}
{{OS-stub}}

Latest revision as of 00:52, 9 December 2024

Mac OS X Snow Leopard (version 10.6) is an operating system developed by Apple Inc. and released on August 28, 2009. It is the seventh major release of Mac OS X, Apple's desktop and server operating system for Macintosh computers.

Overview[edit]

Mac OS X Snow Leopard was marketed as having "refined" the previous version, Mac OS X Leopard, with a focus on performance enhancements, greater efficiency, and the reduction of its overall memory footprint. Unlike previous versions of Mac OS X, Snow Leopard did not introduce a large number of new features, but rather focused on "under the hood" changes.

Features[edit]

Performance Improvements[edit]

Snow Leopard was designed to improve the performance of the Mac OS X operating system. It introduced a number of enhancements that made the system faster and more responsive. These included:

  • 64-bit Architecture: Snow Leopard was the first Mac OS X version to fully support 64-bit applications, allowing for improved performance and the ability to use more than 4GB of RAM.
  • Grand Central Dispatch: This technology was introduced to optimize the use of multi-core processors, allowing applications to run more efficiently by distributing tasks across multiple cores.
  • OpenCL: OpenCL (Open Computing Language) allowed developers to tap into the power of the GPU for general-purpose computing tasks, improving performance for applications that could leverage this technology.

User Interface Enhancements[edit]

While Snow Leopard did not focus on new user-facing features, it did include some refinements to the user interface:

  • Exposé Integration in the Dock: Exposé, a feature for managing open windows, was integrated into the Dock, allowing users to view all open windows of an application by clicking and holding its icon in the Dock.
  • Stacks: The Stacks feature in the Dock was improved, allowing users to scroll through files in a stack and view them in a grid or list view.

System Enhancements[edit]

  • Finder: The Finder was rewritten in Cocoa, resulting in a more responsive and stable experience.
  • QuickTime X: A new version of QuickTime, called QuickTime X, was introduced with a simplified interface and support for modern codecs.
  • Safari 4: The Safari web browser was updated to version 4, offering improved performance and support for modern web standards.

Compatibility[edit]

Snow Leopard was the first version of Mac OS X to drop support for PowerPC-based Macs, requiring an Intel processor. This marked a significant transition for Mac users, as it meant that only Intel-based Macs could run Snow Leopard.

Reception[edit]

Mac OS X Snow Leopard was generally well-received by critics and users alike. It was praised for its performance improvements, stability, and the refinement of existing features. The decision to focus on "under the hood" changes rather than new features was seen as a positive move by many, as it resulted in a more polished and efficient operating system.

Also see[edit]