Take ten: Mac OS X ready for prime time

Mac OS X, the new operating system for Mac users, recently underwent a speed and performance upgrade. Titled OS X (ten) version 10.1, the upgrade is faster, more dynamic and stable than the initial version that was released six months ago.

The new operating system is the result of years of rebuilding and refining the Macintosh operating system. Integrating a stunning visual user interface called Aqua with a solid UNIX kernel for stability, connectivity and better management of system resources, OS X is geared to be one of the most advanced systems available to users. It is expected to set the pace for the Macintosh platform for at least the next decade.

Update 10.1 adds CD burning and improved DVD support as well as integration into a number of digital devices such as MP3 players, digital cameras, video cameras and PDAs.

OS X also boasts of easy connectivity with UNIX and Windows NT servers as well as support for Apple’s AirPort wireless connectivity LAN standard. The integration of Java 2 also works well with Web browsers and Web-based applications.

Apple claims that the OS X version 10.1 update is up to five times faster than its predecessor and efficiently maximizes the Mac machines’ resources with advanced multitasking.

OS X native applications will also be able to take advantage of the more advanced Mac dual-processor models and see improved performance in their systems.

Many users are expected to move from Mac’s classic OS 9 system to OS X due to increasing availability of OS X compatible applications and programs in the coming months.

On the list are Adobe’s Illustrator 10 vector drawing application, Macromedia’s Freehand application and Microsoft’s upcoming Office X that integrates Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Entourage e-mail client. These are some of the most widely used programs in the Macintosh platform.

Adobe has yet to announce its popular Photoshop for OS X, although it is certain that an OS X compatible version of Photoshop will spur another odyssey to the new system. There are currently 1,400 OS X native applications available with more expected before the year ends.

Mac OS X v10.1 requires OS 9.2.1 to run in the background and a minimum of 128MB of memory. It is designed to run on the following Apple products: iMac, iBook, Power Macintosh G3, Power Mac G4, Power Mac G4 Cube and any PowerBook introduced after May 1998.