The world is abuzz with the impending release – two days and counting – of Apple’s new operating system, Leopard, which will cap off a mega-year for Apple that has been highlighted by the launch of the iPhone, a refresh of the iPod line-up, and stellar financial results.
Not surprisingly, Apple shares have soared to a record high and the Steve Jobs Aura (SJA) continues to grow.
Amid all this excitement, I’m still puzzled by one thing: why Leopard is seen as the be-all-and-end-all of operating systems while Vista was pretty much dead in the water even before it got out of the gate. I’ve read a bunch of Leopard stories – most of them bubbling with glee about the 300 news features, including Quick Look and Time Machine.
But where’s the objectivity that Leopard may simply be a nice upgrade as update? It seems the media and blogosphere has bought into Apple’s marketing campaign that Leopard is “the biggest update in Mac history” and “one OS so innovative, it will completely transform your Mac”.
Without upsetting the Mac Nation, why will Leopard will such a smash-hit while Vista has been such a disappointment. Maybe expectations are different; maybe Microsoft can do no right while Apple can do no wrong; maybe Apple has done a better job developing its OS upgrade while Microsoft made a strategic mistake by rushing Vista out the door before it was really ready.
At the end of the day, Apple’s biggest asset – at least right now – is the love affair consumers and investors have with the brand. Everyone loves Apple while Microsoft struggles do convince people it can do things right as well. Steve Jobs is seen as a superstar while Steve Ballmer, who’s a very smart guy, is regarded with far less esteem.
Like sports, momentum is everything. Apple’s on a huge roll during which it has rarely stumbled other than perhaps the decision to reduce iPhone prices by $200. Sooner or later, however, momentum has a funny way of changing. At some point, the shine will come off Apple. The challenge facing is figuring out when that’s going to happen.
For a take on how Apple is going to keep its value, check out the New York Times’ Bits.
Update: The Wall St. Journal’s Walter Mossberg has an extensive review on Leopard with this conclusion: “Leopard isn’t a must-have for current Mac owners, but it adds a lot of value. For new Mac buyers, it makes switching even more attractive.”
11 Comments
I think Apple’s biggest asset is Steve Jobs, and once he is gone, it’s going to be a slow but steady death for the company.
Would love it if they proved me wrong.
http://socialwrite.com/2006/01/16/buying-apple/
You called for perspective, but you started on the wrong foot. Replace “The world” with “Mac geeks” and that first sentence reads better.
Excellent point! It will be interesting to see the reaction to Leopard once all those Mac geeks finally get the opportunity to use it.
Some people seem to think that this is the operating system that Jesus would use (not unlike the iPhone.)
Personally, I of course welcome this new upgrade since I’m a Mac user myself. The reason that I think that this new upgrade has captured everyone’s love is because of how simple Apple manages to make tasks that were once complex. People bash things like Time Machine and Spaces, saying that they were technologies that existed before (which is true), but in Leopard, it’s so easy that anyone can do it. That’s the easiest way to put it.
Well, look at the Mossberg review. He compares Vista and Leopard on a number of measurements and Leopard comes up ahead each time. That seems like a pretty good reason for a reviewer to describe Leopard in more favorable terms than Vista, doesn’t it?
Also, given the market share Microsoft has, the amount it charges for the OS (as much as $350), and the amount of time between new versions, there is probably an expectation out there that each new Windows release will be more revolutionary than evolutionary and will resolve long-standing problems, weaknesses and complaints. By those standards, Vista comes up short.
Mac is the choice OS for most newsrooms and publications. Given that people are more biased to what they are used to, it make sense that Mac would receive better reviews.
Michael: Not sure I agree but interesting premise.
OSX is good but really it’s neither here nor there.
The real story is that Vista is just a big steaming turd.
marketing and Jobs have little to do with the millions of corporate, business and even regular consumers who’ve insisted on “XP” inside in the year since Vista came out.
XP is flying off the shelves, and selling more than OSX.
I’d never heard of Leopard (I’m a MS Windows user). I watched the demo and for the first time I think I might have Mac envy. They certainly seem to know how to make things usable.
When Vista first came out, there were the usual glowing reports in the press. That faded quickly. I think the difference is that it was obvious from day one, that the purpose of Vista was to please Hollywood, the RIAA etc. and Microsoft, by restricting users, — making it harder for them to do what MS felt they should not be doing etc.
The purpose of Leopard seems to be to make it easier for users to do the things they want to do.
And then there is the price.
Nothing in Vista in its months since its release has changed that. Look at all the fuss over WGA, auto update, not being able to play DVD’s that used to work in XP etc.
I have a PC (Microsoft Vista) and a laptop (Fujitsu. Now for a dumb question but like math, I learn very little and very slowly. So here goes: Can I order thte new Mac Leopard for the above named computers or do I have to now buy a Mac?
Please – just tell me what I need to do.
Thank you…thank you…thank you.
Kate