Does anybody know when the next operating system is due out?

[Dimwhit]

I've heard rumors that Longhorn had been pushed back to 2007, but maybe I didn't get that right. Regardless, I would never delay anything based on a new OS release date.

 

[Mercule]

Ah, thanks for that, Mercule. I *think* what you're saying is to upgrade in September to WinXP, yes?

If you're asking for my advice, yes. Unless the new OS is within about 3 months of release, I'd not let it be a factor. If you need a new computer, the hardware is the (more) expensive part. It may not be a casual thing to go out and pick up a full version of Win 2007, when it comes out, but it's cheaper than the computer itself.

Also, think of the amount of benefit you'll get between September 2005 and ~May 2007, then ask yourself whether it's worth the optional $300 to get all the bells and whistles of Longhorn (none of which will actually be necessary for a while because you won't be the only customer not upgrading).

 

[Aeolius]

OK, I don't know what you just said, but it's reminiscent of "Mac-speak". lol

In this case, I was referring to the Mac mini, Apple's new $499 computer. You could, most likely, use your existing monitor, keyboard, and mouse with the Mac mini. OS X 10.3 is also known as "Panther", Apple's current OS for the Macintosh. 10.4 ("Tiger") is the next update to the OS and is due out in the next few months.

iLife '05 is a bundle of software including iPhoto (manages your digital photos), iMovie (for editing movies), iDVD (creates DVDs, if you have a Macintosh with a DVD-R), iTunes (manages your digital music library), and Garage Band (plug in a MIDI or USB-based keyboard and jam).

 

[schporto]

I would also recommend going towards WinXP and not waiting for longhorn. My understanding is Longhorn will be a lot of eyecandy. And to get that eyecandy you're gonna need a beast of a system. The rumors around it are just nutty. http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20040506-3741.html

 

[drothgery]

I would also recommend going towards WinXP and not waiting for longhorn. My understanding is Longhorn will be a lot of eyecandy. And to get that eyecandy you're gonna need a beast of a system. The rumors around it are just nutty. http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20040506-3741.html

Eh. The "system requirements" list is a bit silly, but remember that it was probably written when CPU speeds were skyrocketing, and it looked very likely that we'd see 4 GHz CPUs from Intel in 2003, if not 2004. Figuring that they'd make it into midrange boxes by 2005/2006 seemed very realistic once. As things currently stand, Intel's launching dual-core CPUs in the next couple of months, and AMD by the end of summer. They should hit midrange systems by mid-2006, if not earlier.

Nearly everything I've read suggests that pretty much any DirectX 9 video card -- even 915G integrated video, a GeForce 6200, or a Radeon X300 [but not a 9200; ATi's low-end AGP part isn't DirectX 9 yet] -- will do to get the top-end Longhorn UI.

A new UI will probably be the most visible feature of Longhorn, but it was the most visible feature of XP, too. Our resident Mac advocate would probably note that Apple's been doing a 3D-accellerated UI with OS X for quite some time.

 

[jaerdaph]

Struggling student, you see.

If you're a student, you should check into special software license pricing through your school. Same with a new computer purchase.

Most new computers come with the OS installed and the license, if you buy off the shelf (like a Dell or an HP/Compaq).

 

[Enforcer]

In that case, I'd say go with the Mac mini running OS X 10.3 (includes iLife '05 ) . Granted, 10.4 will be out by Q2, with luck.

Seconded! I'm a recent switcher, so I'm familiar with both Windows XP and with Mac OS 10.3. The Mac OS is just plain better...I can't think of a single Windows feature that I miss now that I have my iBook.

Not to mention that Apple's Mail (e-mail client), Address Book, iCal (calendar program), Safari (web browser), and iTunes are much better programs than MS Outlook, Internet Explorer, and Media Player.

All in my humble opinion, of course...but I'm NEVER going back to Windows.

 

[Maraxle]

Seconded! I'm a recent switcher, so I'm familiar with both Windows XP and with Mac OS 10.3. The Mac OS is just plain better...I can't think of a single Windows feature that I miss now that I have my iBook.

Not to mention that Apple's Mail (e-mail client), Address Book, iCal (calendar program), Safari (web browser), and iTunes are much better programs than MS Outlook, Internet Explorer, and Media Player.

All in my humble opinion, of course...but I'm NEVER going back to Windows.

Blech. I have to use OS X at work sometimes, and I hate it. You can't turn off any of the annoying eye candy without 3rd party programs or hacks. It also feels slow because everything has to spin, sparkle, and bake a cake before it will start doing anything. Maybe they'll fix it in Tiger, but half of the command line commands don't recognize one of the resource forks that the OS uses, so you can't use them for everything. Top it off with the paltry selection of recent games, and it's useless to me.

Oh, and Doom 3 won't run on that mini either, as Doom 3 for the Mac is going to require a G5.

 

[drothgery]

My only experience with OSX is via an ancient iMac (which can't run OS X.2, let alone X.3) which we use as a test box at work (I've been trying to get a new one for a few years now, even though I'm a shameless Windows partisan, because a major customer is an all-Mac shop).

Still, anything that doesn't run Visual Studio is useless to me except as a test box...

 

[Thanee]

WinXP Pro is quite good at least.

Bye
Thanee