By Seb Janacek, 24 January 2008 17:10
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4: Mac OS X
The OS X operating system took its time emerging from the wreckage of the Copland project. But the next generation OS has won a new set of fans for the company. Although it took until version 10.3, known as Panther, to really come of age, Apple's crown jewels have won it plaudits for usability, design élan, stability and interoperability. Now on Leopard, version 10.5, it's hard to think of a more complete, fully featured operating system on the market. OS X is now inside the iPhone, too, and it's likely to underpin everything Apple does over the coming years. A recent personal reversion back to OS9 showed how far the company has come in just a few short years.
Photo credit: Apple
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Comments
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1. anonymous
Do not underestimate the significance of the iPhone: it has changed the telecomms landscape for ever.
2. Janice
... and don't forget the eBook - a NewtonOS-based notepad-style touch-screen computer for the primary and secondary education market that pre-dated the PC offerings by years. Never formally released in the UK, it was a huge success in the 'States. Kids literally cried when Apple announced it was to be discontinued with no replacement product.
3. Karen Challinor
no iTazer ?
4. George
If you value form over function then any of these will do.
5. Janice
... that should have been "eMate" of course, not "eBook", although the iBook was pretty cool as well!
6. Richard Marshall
Re "If you value form over function then any of these will do"
Quite correct. They are all well designed. Thanks.
Similarly, if you value form as a function, then any of these will do admirably. Personally, I like to live and work with nice things that work well and look good.
These are all iconic products. Yes, early Newtons failed to deliver in terms of function but the criterion is "king of Apple cool" not "most bang for your buck"!
Next you'll be moaning that Sid Vicious doesn't count as a rock icon because a) he couldn't play the bass and b) he died too young to make an impact...