Rumor: Leopard delay, iMac revamp, Parallels
updated 09:25 am EDT, Fri March 23, 2007
Leopard delay rumors
With the delayed launch of Apple TV finally here, Apple's rumor mill has turned to Mac OS X Leopard, iMacs, and possibly new server-oriented software from Parallels. A new rumor from Digitimes says the release of the Mac OS X Leopard operating system "will be postponed to October to allow Apple to make Leopard support Windows Vista through an integrated version of its Boot Camp software." According to that rumor, the company hopes that Macs with support for Vista can grab more market share, the report claims. SWsoft -- the makers of Parallels Desktop -- is reportedly working on a similar server-based virtualization application for Apple servers that "could provide customers with an innovative solution for running Windows, Mac OS and Linux side by side on a departmental or small business server."
The rumored software would be an encore to the very successful Parallels Desktop for Mac and could boost lagging Apple server sales, The Var Guy writes.
"Apple servers have several niches, managing such tasks as multimedia storage and running open source email systems. But SWsoft could make Mac OS X a more attractive option within organizations that are seeking to standardize and maximize their hardware with virtualization software. Watch for SWsoft to target departmental Apple servers before year's end."
New iMacs may showcase new industrial design
Finally, AppleInsider earlier this week reported on forthcoming "substantial facelift" to Apple's consumer desktop iMac line that will showcase striking new industrial design, but may leave the future of the low-end 17-inch iMac up-in-the-air.
"People familiar with the matter say the Cupertino-based Mac maker has called upon its award-winning design chief Jonathan Ive and his team to cut the fat from the the current iMac line and outfit a pair of new Core 2 Duo-based models in a form factor that will be both slimmer and sleeker than today's offerings," the report claimed.
What a disaster.
03/23, 09:47am reply
We just purchased a new $9000 Xserve. Our sales rep LIED to us and said that we would be able to move our accounts, etc. over from our old G4 Xserve easily. Turns out that its not that easy afterall, largely because there is no universal OS. The only easy way is to use Leopard Server. If I have to wait till October I swear heads are going to roll at Apple!!!!!!!!!
ronjamin
Baninated
Joined: May 2002
Nah, I doubt it
03/23, 10:07am reply
With all the bad press M$ received by delaying Vista, I highly doubt Apple would follow suit and delay 10.5 purely because they can't get Vista to work properly. I would have thought that getting someone else's OS to run on a Mac is of no concern to Apple.
Apart from anything else, Vista already runs on my Intel Mac Mini so I don't imagine how having 10.5 on there instead of 10.4 would alter that fact.
Geobunny
Grizzled Veteran
Joined: Oct 2000
No way
03/23, 10:09am reply
There is no way Apple is going to delay Leopard just for Vista integration. Apple will release it this Spring because that is when purchasing decisions are made for schools. Apple Education reps are already showing Leopard to educators.
boris_cleto
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Sep 2002
Delayed Leopard release
03/23, 10:10am reply
The rumor that Leopard will be delayed until October seems ill-founded. Apple is likely to release upgraded MacPros and new - - perhaps 64bit - - versions of Final Cut and possibly Logic at NAB in April. There is a significant amount of pent up demand for these products. It seems unlikely that Apple would want to delay the profits from sales into this market. It seems far more likely that full Vista compatibility will be part of a later OS update.
Stevesong
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Feb 2006
crazy rumour
03/23, 10:51am reply
Agree with others, a six month delay for alternative OS support is a crazy notion. Most sales will come from existing Mac OS users.
@ ronjamin: the sales rep didn't lie -- migrating accounts to your new xserve does not require Leopard, isn't that hard, and doesn't matter about the Universal OS.
nostrademas
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Feb 2006
maybe not october...
03/23, 10:52am reply
... and definitely not for vista, but i wouldn't be surprised to see leopard slip past june. i mean it's already late march. apple basically has 6 weeks to wrap development on leopard to see it released in time for WWDC.
personally i'd prefer a delayed release that worked, than a rushed release with critical bugs.
dashiel
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Sep 2001
NFW
03/23, 11:03am reply
No way Apple will delay Leopard on account of Vista or Boot Camp. OS first, third-party support follows.
Jobs is already off his commitment to have Leopard on the street before Vista (altho he didn't say which flavor of Vista). He's not going to let the developers fall further behind.
jcatma61
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Nov 2006
6 weeks?
03/23, 11:06am reply
dashiel, I'm not sure what kind of math you are using? 6 weeks to June? How about 10 weeks to the first week of June.
I don't believe this rumor for a second. It sounds like something straight from Microsoft's PR dept. I believe that Apple will be announcing Leopard as ready to go GM sometime in April - maybe for NAB.
shmoolie
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: May 2002
NOT GOING TO HAPPEN
03/23, 11:27am reply
Not going to happen, not for Vista compatability. Leopard will ship on time in June most likely NOT OCTOBER! Vista compatability can be added anytime with a patch update. It makes no sense except for PC FUD spreaders who want hits for there sites.
horvatic
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Apr 2002
Silliest rumor ever
03/23, 11:54am reply
People have been booting Vista in Boot Camp for almost a year now. And the whole point of Boot Camp is that you are booting an entirely different OS - there is no "integration" between the two OSes (unlike Parallels, where they run side-by-side).
The idea that Apple would delay their flagship product to add functionality to Boot Camp that already exists is completely absurd. Fortunately, Digitimes has a historical track record of 0% accuracy. You might as well quote something Mac OS Rumors - it's that unreliable.
bigmig
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jan 2004