# Leopard (OS X 10.5) Compatability **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 24, 2007, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leopard-os-x-10-5-compatability/423775 "2007-10-24T01:11:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![xiix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/d6d6ee/32.png) [@xiix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xiix)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2007, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leopard-os-x-10-5-compatability/423775/1 "2007-10-24T01:11:13Z")
Does anyone know what level of compatibility can be expected from the new OS X in terms of 10.4 software? Should the majority of the 10.4 software be expected to work out of the box? Does 10.5 do anything drastically different that will cause problems with all the programs I know and love? I assume there will definitely be the odd program that doesn’t work perfectly at first, but by in large, what is to be expected? ---
**Author:** ![panamajack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/47e85d/32.png) [@panamajack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panamajack)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2007, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leopard-os-x-10-5-compatability/423775/2 "2007-10-24T01:33:48Z")
[QUOTE=xiix] Does anyone know what level of compatibility can be expected from the new OS X in terms of 10.4 software? Should the majority of the 10.4 software be expected to work out of the box? Does 10.5 do anything drastically different that will cause problems with all the programs I know and love? I assume there will definitely be the odd program that doesn’t work perfectly at first, but by in large, what is to be expected? [/QUOTE] I’m not an OS X developer, but I’m pretty certain that the vast majority of software will be compatible. It’s certainly nothing like 10.3 to 10.4. From my limited knowledge, 10.4 introduced a whole bunch of new APIs. Many developers liked it better than what came before, which is why there’s a bunch of stuff that’s 10.4 only. Leopard is meant to build on the APIs introduced in 10.4, so most of what was well-designed will still work. There will no doubt be a few things here and there that need tweaking. In these cases, the developer will be almost certainly be able to release a patch. However, apparently the final build of 10.5 wasn’t widely distributed, so some companies won’t know if something broke for a couple days. So you may want to hold off a week or so to see what the reports are if you’re worried. Most accounts indicate that the most drastic everyday changes will be in appearance (specifically, the Dock, which in every build so far looks hideously ugly IMNSHO). ---
**Author:** ![xiix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/d6d6ee/32.png) [@xiix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xiix)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2007, 7:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leopard-os-x-10-5-compatability/423775/3 "2007-10-24T07:25:13Z")
Update: I took the plunge and am happy to confirm that every single one of my programs works very well, in fact some apps seem snappier (multiple vlc windows come to mind). Go buy Leopard now, its perfect! ---
**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2007, 12:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leopard-os-x-10-5-compatability/423775/4 "2007-10-24T12:16:54Z")
[QUOTE=xiix] Update: I took the plunge and am happy to confirm that every single one of my programs works very well, in fact some apps seem snappier (multiple vlc windows come to mind). Go buy Leopard now, its perfect! [/QUOTE] Leopard’s not available now, and if you’ve taken the plunge, you must be a developer. Of something else. :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![xiix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/d6d6ee/32.png) [@xiix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xiix)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2007, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leopard-os-x-10-5-compatability/423775/5 "2007-10-24T17:17:43Z")
I’m in a drastically different timezone Balthisar, thats all. ---
**Author:** ![panamajack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/47e85d/32.png) [@panamajack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panamajack)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2007, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leopard-os-x-10-5-compatability/423775/6 "2007-10-24T17:53:49Z")
Oh, you must be using _Time Machine_, one of those “new features”. Seriously, asking for support on software you aren’t authorized to use is rather galling, don’t you think? ---
**Author:** ![xiix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/d6d6ee/32.png) [@xiix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xiix)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2007, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leopard-os-x-10-5-compatability/423775/7 "2007-10-24T18:12:32Z")
Subsequent to installing the upgrade I’ve already been able to provide advice to a number of colleagues about compatibility and functionality. I have pre-ordered my hard-copy of the disk which will be shipped on Friday but it was more convenient for me to install last night when I had a bit of extra time on my hands. ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2007, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leopard-os-x-10-5-compatability/423775/8 "2007-10-24T18:56:57Z")
[QUOTE=xiix] I’m in a drastically different timezone Balthisar, thats all. [/QUOTE] You’re in Toronto? _I’m_ in Toronto, and it’s still two days to go to the release date. You must have a developers’ pre-release. ---
**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2007, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leopard-os-x-10-5-compatability/423775/9 "2007-10-24T19:06:32Z")
**xiix** , you may want to keep an eye on the build number. There are a _lot_ of developers that are upset that there aren’t any GM versions available for them prior to the public release. You may end up having to do a new install, since the pre-GM’s won’t generally receive software updates. Of course it could be a leaked GM, but I didn’t see any authentic ones at the usual places. (Wish I had a tracking number; if it arrives early enough Friday, I might decide to leave work early :)). ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2007, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leopard-os-x-10-5-compatability/423775/10 "2007-10-24T23:20:25Z")
I’m about to take the plunge and buy a Macbook after only ever owning PCs and am only waiting at this point to ensure that I get the new OS. I would have ordered it already if I knew they could guarantee the new OS. I asked someone on the Apple sales chat thing and got the impression that I had to wait until Friday. So how does that work with the systems in inventory at the stores? Do employees pull them out of the boxes, update the OS and then rebox them? ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2007, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leopard-os-x-10-5-compatability/423775/11 "2007-10-25T01:22:57Z")
[QUOTE=Dewey Finn] Do employees pull them out of the boxes, update the OS and then rebox them? [/QUOTE] I read that as of Friday, units in stock with 10.4 on them get a 10.5 upgrade disc, and the buyer does the update emself. True? I don’t know, but it sounds plausible. ---
**Author:** ![xiix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/d6d6ee/32.png) [@xiix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xiix)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2007, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leopard-os-x-10-5-compatability/423775/12 "2007-10-25T01:50:04Z")
Can’t seem to find the cite but my understanding is any new macs purchased in October will get a free upgrade as per an apple press release earlier this week. Dunno the logistics of how the new OS gets installed, but the upgrade disk sounds likely rather than the machines being opened up pre-sale. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2007, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leopard-os-x-10-5-compatability/423775/13 "2007-10-25T01:55:10Z")
The upgrade isn’t free for recent purchases but instead costs ten bucks: “The standard Mac OS Up-To-Date upgrade package is available to all customers who purchased a qualifying new Mac system from Apple or an Apple Authorized Reseller on or after October 1, 2007 for a shipping and handling fee of $9.95 (US).” ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2007, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leopard-os-x-10-5-compatability/423775/14 "2007-10-25T02:00:20Z")
[QUOTE=Dewey Finn] The upgrade isn’t free for recent purchases but instead costs ten bucks: “The standard Mac OS Up-To-Date upgrade package is available to all customers who purchased a qualifying new Mac system from Apple or an Apple Authorized Reseller on or after October 1, 2007 for a shipping and handling fee of $9.95 (US).” [/QUOTE] But that’s only if you already have the machine. Would it hold for new machines purchased on or after 26 October, which don’t have 10.5 on them? ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2007, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leopard-os-x-10-5-compatability/423775/15 "2007-10-25T02:36:11Z")
I’ll know next week, as I plan to order a system from the website on Friday, but I’d expect to receive the new OS. ---
**Author:** ![Sleel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/73ab20/32.png) [@Sleel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sleel)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2007, 7:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leopard-os-x-10-5-compatability/423775/16 "2007-10-25T07:48:27Z")
Computers bought or shipped on Friday are expected to have Leopard installed. If you’ve bought your computer recently, you can get it through the usual [Up to Date](http://www.apple.com/macosx/uptodate/) upgrade program. One of the first links there is a list of qualifying systems. You pay them $10, which is basically for the shipping and handling, and media, and they send you Leopard disks. Your purchase window is stated pretty clearly in one of the first terms and conditions points: “This program entitles the purchaser of a qualifying Macintosh computer purchased between October 1, 2007, and December 29, 2007, to upgrade to Mac OS X v10.5 Leopard.” So, if you’ve bought your Mac in the last two or three weeks, you probably qualify for a free upgrade to Leopard. ETA: If you ordered through the online store, or have an account registered with the Apple store already, the application and purchase of the upgrade should be really fast. Couple of clicks, and you’re done kind of thing. ---
**Author:** ![Stan\_Doubt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/53a042/32.png) [@Stan\_Doubt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stan_Doubt)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2007, 9:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leopard-os-x-10-5-compatability/423775/17 "2007-10-25T09:18:08Z")
What about system requirements for people thinking of the upgrade? Apple says 867mhz G4, but they tend to be pretty conservative in their recommendations. IME Tiger runs OK on pre-DVD/firewire G3s given enough RAM, will it be comparable if I try installing Leopard on a 450mhz G4? I’m sure it’ll be no speed demon and I’ll have to turn some of the eye candy off, but I’m worried whether It’ll even _run_. ---
**Author:** ![Desert\_Nomad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desert_nomad/32/177_2.png) [@Desert\_Nomad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Desert_Nomad)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2007, 10:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leopard-os-x-10-5-compatability/423775/18 "2007-10-25T10:51:48Z")
I am an Apple Developer and we are unable to get access to the GM until after some of our customers have it. In fact the last build we have access to is more than a month old. So, yes, I hope our apps work on the GM, but we have no way to be sure yet. It was the same for Tiger. I was just at the Apple store here in Dubai an hour ago and it will be a few weeks it seems to get the GM here. I don’t understand Apple here… we gett seeds for months before the public and then it dries up and our customers get GM before us.