[kfbeau]

Okay everybody calm down, Tiger is still a fantastic OS and runs my Macs perfectly. How can we really miss features that we have never had? Leopard will probably be another substantial step for the Mac if history is any indication. I'm just as curious about the "secret" features and what Leopard will look like as most people on the board but I will survive till October with Tiger besides think of the poor souls that have to use Windows

[grbear]

Quote:

---

While Mac users have expressed disappointment and frustration that Leopard's ship date has slipped to October, analysts say it's the right move for Apple if it allows the company to ship the high-profile iPhone on time.

---

Analysts may not be concerned.. some shareholders on the other hand disagree gauging by the stock price drop this morning.

[sheldonc]

Quote:

---

So Apple has all this hype right now of how good their business is doing. I'm a PC user, looking forward for the big switch. Doing graphics and photography, Macs are the way to some people say. Waiting till June was bearable for the release of the new OS, now Apple thinks that kids with iPhones are more lucrative than graphics and photo pros willing to buy their $5000+ machines.
What really irritates me is their customer service. As a potential buyer, I was treated like a scumbag.
No.. Apple are as bad as Microsoft. They got nicer, maybe better products, but they are as evil if not worse... and I can't stand those who think that Apple is God.
Let's see how many are going to yell at me with tears in their red eyes to tell me how beter Apple is...

---

Stop trolling. I've always have very good to excellent contact with Apple. File a complaint if you get lousy service.
Also, waiting for Leopard is no reason to switch to a Mac. The current OS operates quickly and is very stable.
People, if it wasn't for the iPod and now, potentially, the iPhone, Apple would likely be in a less lucrative position they are in. Apple is still a business, and a business has to make money where they can. Relax. Leopard will be awesome when it comes out.
For now, go outside, take a walk, enjoy the weather. See, the world hasn't ended.

[pkeene]

Quote:

---

Rather, analysts were cheered by the news that the iPhone appears to be on track, and that Apple is committed to delivering that mobile device in June.

---

Quote:

---

Still analysts remain convinced that getting the iPhone on the market makes more sense for the company than pouring its resources into the Leopard.

---

Quote:

---

Overall, all of the analysts agree that the delay wont hurt Apple in the long term financially. In fact, Creatives Bajarin said the company could be better positioned by a Leopard postponement if it means a successful iPhone launch.

---

Quote:

---

All of the analysts also agree that Apple is making good moves by branching out into different markets like television and cell phones instead of sticking to its traditional computing business.

---

Do any of these analysts use Macs? Just curious.
Peter

[Steve_S]

Quote:

---

Do any of these analysts use Macs? Just curious.

---

I don't know, but I tend to agree with the analysts on this issue. In the big picture, Leopard isn't all that important. Yes, Leopard will make the Mac platform more attractive. However, having a significantly better OS has not historically been a big factor for sales. That's true with the Mac over Windows just as it was true with OS/2 over Windows 3.1, etc. back in the day. As long as Apple's offering is competitive, it's enough for to maintain the user base and possibly continue it's slow growth rate.
From an analyst perspective, this just moves the revenue (~200 million $) Apple would have booked in Q4 2007 into Q1 2008 (fiscal years). Perhaps Apple will be punished for this with a brief market correction in the short term. In the long term, the iPhone has a much more significant impact on Apple's bottom line potentially. If Apple delivers anywhere near it's 10 million unit estimate for 2008, that will be a HUGE win for Apple and it's stock holders as revenue (5+ Billion $) and profits will grow accordingly. Similarly, Apple's stock has been riding high lately due to hedging bets on the iPhone's success. If Apple misfires on the iPhone in terms of delivery date or quality, Apple's stock will take a beating.
So, from an analyst perspective, pushing Leopard out a couple months is just not a big deal. When you confirm that the iPhone is still on track for the June release and let everyone know that "all hands on deck" are going to make that happen, that's very reassuring to the analysts for obvious reasons.
Steve

[pkeene]

I take your points Steve. But as one who saw my computer of choice destroyed by the company (Psion) chasing its tail under the direction af analysts I'm sensitive about their power. The fact that the platform dominates mobile phone operating systems in Symbian guise is little comfort - I can no longer buy Psion machines running EPOC.
Peter

[FloridaFlash]

The problem with the delay for Apple is the likely effect on the sale of MacBooks, Macbook Pros (MacBooks Pro?), MacPros, and XServes.
The problem for me is that I NEED new Macs. I WANT Intel Macs. But with Leopard this close, I am not going to buy them until I can buy them with Leopard pre-installed. Why buy them only to need to upgrade the OS in four months? We don't know what Leopard upgrade will cost, but if history is any indication, it will be around $129 for one machine, and $199 for a five-pack for "personal use", with no discounts for loyal "I've had every version since OS X came out" users. My guess is that for an XServe that will be a $1000 pop (comes preinstalled with MacOS Server 10.4.9; Mac OS Server 10.4.9 costs $999; assume Leopard Server will cost around the same). Besides the additional cost, installing an upgrade OS is just NEVER the same as starting fresh and clean with the new OS.
I am happy I will be able to get a fully functional iPhone in June, but I am sad I need to wait on those other machines.

[larsonst]

Perhaps Apple could offer a no charge upgrade to 10.5 for customers who buy systems between June and the release date. Wouldn't cost much, few would upgrade to 10.5 that soon anyway. Although there may be a downstream cost, but it would go a long way towards Apple saying you can trust our promises or we will make it up to you. This way nobody feels the need to delay purchasing between June and October.

[sebastian920]

Quote:

---

The fact of the matter is, the OS update is being delayed, which isn't a good sign. No, it's not the same as Vista being delayed for several years and being the worst MS OS since WinME, but it is the second delay of a major product this year. AppleTV came out late, and is being criticized for its ho-hum output quality. It could be a sign that Apple is being stretched a bit thin. iPod will need a new generation soon, and so will some of its Mac lines. The new OS is often released to coincide with new hardware, so does this mean that new hardware will also be delayed?

---

I am just bummed out... I use MACs at work and will be going back to school this fall. I had wanted to buy a new laptop for myself while in school and if I was going to spend $2000-$3000 on a computer that I would use for the next 3-4 years, I wanted to newest thing. Would suck to spend all that money and have something NEW and IMPROVED out just weeks later. TRUE, I could buy a MAC now and upgrade software later, but normally with a new release, upgraded hardware isnt too far behind. as a consumer (and soon to be an 'income limited' full time student again) I want not only the biggest bang for my buck, but the confidence that what I buy wont become 'second rate' within months (like most MS PCs).

[FloridaFlash]

1. The likelihood of Apple comping CPU purchasers with Leopard if they buy between June and October is so small as to be unmeasurable. They know that their installed based is not switching to Vista, and the switchers are fleeing Windows, not seeking the latest Mac OS.
2. Even if Apple did that, the upgrade installation just is not the same as the initial installation.
I will wait to buy the machines, and wait to buy Adobe CS3, and Microsoft Office (latest version) as I chat away 19 and a dozen on my iPhone.

[mwheeler]

I want Leopard to be top notch. I especially want it to be very smart and efficient in terms of using multiple core processors since that seems to be the future of development.