Snow Leopard Intel only

Apple on Monday confirmed that 10.6 Snow Leopard would be the next major incarnation of Mac OS X, with little details revealed, but individuals who obtained a developer's preview of the OS noted that it requires an Intel processor, confirming earlier suspicions. LogicielMac reveals that while still over a year away from store shelves, its current incarnation states that it requires 9GB of disk space – 12GB for developer tools – 512MB of RAM, and an internal, external, or shared DVD drive.

The system requirements listed in the Read Me also notes that it requires a built-in display or a display connected to an Apple-supplied video card, which could call into question whether the preview or final release will function on clones, such as computers from Psystar.

Banners touting "OS X Leopard" – notably without the Mac prefix – were seen in Moscone West before WWDC. Apple, a company famous for its consistency in brand identities, did not clarify whether the omission was intentional. When combined with Apple's silence on clone manufacturer Psystar, it raises questions as to Apple's long-term OS strategy, potentially indicating it could open up its platform to other companies/

by MacNN Staff