Mac OS X 10.1 [Old Version]

Product Description:

Mac OS X, Apple's next-generation operating system, debuted to great enthusiasm, but ultimately left users wanting more: more speed, more applications, more usefulness. Sure, it looked pretty, but you had to boot up into OS 9 when it came time to do some real work. That has all changed with the recent release of Mac OS X 10.1.

Improvements across the board within the operating system and support from numerous vendors have made OS X a viable upgrade. Internal improvements have brought the performance and reliability up to professional levels, while software from such vendors as Canon, Epson, and Hewlett-Packard make compatible a wide variety of printers and scanners. As soon as 10.1 was released, we upgraded our Dual G4/450 with nothing but positive results. With multiple hard drives on our system, we're able to dedicate drives for booting into either OS 9 or OS X, thus ensuring backward compatibility.

However, since upgrading over a month ago, the only times we've needed to boot into OS 9 was for using a FireWire card reader (for reading compact flash cards from a digital camera) and only because the drivers aren't yet available. But you don't need a high-speed G4 to use 10.1. It's now become the default OS on our PowerBook G3/400 (FireWire model), responding quickly and running reliably. Airport networking works flawlessly, and Internet and intranet access is rock solid.

In addition to performance improvements, Apple has added DVD-video playback. Since OS X is a true multitasking operating system, you haven't really watched a DVD until you've made it a half-size window in the background while checking e-mail, shopping at Amazon.com, and copying files at the same time--without skipping a frame. iTunes for OS X will play and encode music, as well as burn audio CDs using an internal or external CD-R/RW drive. If you need to burn data CDs, simply insert a blank disc. OS X will detect it, and ask how you'd like to format it: Mac/PC data or audio CD?

Additional improvements in AppleScripting, a customizable dock, video card and printer drivers, and networking add to the appeal. One important missing feature is the ability to print to a remote USB printer. With OS 9, Apple included the USB Printer Sharing control panel, which allowed remote Macs to print to any USB-connected printer on a local Mac. This worked flawlessly for us when printing from our PowerBook to an Epson 1280 connected to our G4. However, there seems to be no such facility for printing to remote USB printers under OS X. Aside from that, OS X 10.1 on a contemporary Mac is a solid performer and a glimpse of how things ought to work. --Mike Caputo

Product Details
  • Binding: CD-ROM
  • Brand: Apple
  • Color: Mac OS X 10.1
  • Edition: Full
  • Format: CD-ROM
  • HardwarePlatform: Mac
  • Label: Apple
  • Manufacturer: Apple
  • OperatingSystem: Macintosh
  • PackageQuantity: 1
  • Platform: Macintosh
  • ProductGroup: Software
  • ProductTypeName: SOFTWARE
  • Publisher: Apple
  • ReleaseDate: 2001-09-28
  • Studio: Apple

Customer Reviews

Watch out for USB driver problems and kernel panics2004-02-03
Six months into using OS -X started having Kernel panics (Apple's blue secreen of death). Not running non-Apple programs, multi-tasking, or running peculiar non-standard hardware (Logitech tracball, HP printer/scanner). 5 trips to the repair shop - new hard drive, new RAM, new system board, upgrade to 10.2.8; 4 phone calls to Apple "Support." Kernel panics returned. Lots of web searches - found lots of boards where people have the same experience, and found the only permanent solution was downgrading to OS9 or upgrading to OS 10.3. "Support" denies it's poor USB software.
OS X best ever2003-01-29
Hands down the best OS right now! This update is crucial before you upgrade to Jaguar. It's simple, doesn't crash, easy to use even supports right clicking!

buy it and never be disappointed!

Stable but Often Slow2002-11-14
Mac OS 10.1, the long-awaited gift from Apple, is impressively stable. The stability of this OS gives it an edge over the older build of Mac OS 9 (and older systems). Dynamic memory allocation and preemptive multitasking are positive aspects too.

However, I would not suggest OS X on a G3 unless you are ready for slow resizing and tediously long launch times.

Indeed, even though it is slower, I feel that I am obliged to use OS X on my 600 MHz iBook - not because Apple is phasing out "classic" support. The only thing that truly binds me to OS X is that it is much more stable than OS 9. However, seeing how good things are coming with the new ideas from Apple as they update the system, I would suggest keeping an eye open. Perhaps OS X will speed up soon.

good... needs improvement in speed2002-10-02
It's definitely an improvement on MacOS 10.0, which was really a beta. I have been using it for 6 months, and have been overall impressed with its stability. Speed and usability are two areas that need improvement. Go for 10.2 Jaguar...
X marks the spot!!2002-08-28
OS 10.1 is a vast improvement over OS 10.0 and the subsequent updates which eventually will have you at 10.1.5 are worth the investment. It does take some adjustments due to the changes in permissions allowed as opposed to those in OS 9 and lower. Once you have made the transiton, I doubt OS 9 will be on your mind except to run those programs not yet carbonized for the new UNIX innerface.

Once you've been hooked, try OS 10.2, which is known as Jaguar. Too many great advancements to list, but you won't be sorry!

See all 51 customer reviews...