Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard
Upgrade from Mac OS X Leopard with Snow Leopard, a simpler, more powerful, and more refined version of Mac OS X. It delivers a wide range of enhancements, next-generation technologies, out-of-the-box support for Microsoft Exchange Server, and new accessibility features. It's the world's most advanced operating system, finely tuned from installation to shutdown.
Snow Leopard is an upgrade for Leopard users and requires a Mac with an Intel processor.
Upgrade your Mac experience.
With Snow Leopard, iLife ’09, and iWork ’09 all in one box, the Mac Box Set is the best way to upgrade your Mac experience, especially if you’re still using Mac OS X Tiger.
Overview
Better, faster, easier 
Snow Leopard enhances your entire Mac experience. In ways big and small, it gets faster, more reliable, and easier to use.
- Activate Exposé right from the Dock.
- Wake from sleep and shut down your Mac faster than before.
- Install it more quickly and get back 7GB of disk space.
- Enjoy dozens more refinements for everything from iChat to Preview and more.
Next-generation technologies 
New core technologies in Snow Leopard unleash the power of today’s advanced hardware and prepare Mac OS X for future innovation.
- 64-bit support, the next big step for the Mac. All key system applications are now 64-bit so they can take advantage of all the memory in your Mac.
- Grand Central Dispatch, a revolutionary new way for software to get the most from multicore processors.
- OpenCL, a new technology that unleashes the power of graphics processors to accelerate application performance.
QuickTime X
As the next generation of media players, it’s built on new core technologies and advances modern media and Internet standards.
- Watch your videos in a clean, uncluttered interface with the new QuickTime Player.
- Record audio or video using the built-in iSight camera and microphone in your Mac.
- Trim your media to the perfect length.
- Easily publish your media to MobileMe or YouTube.
Out-of-the-box
support for Microsoft Exchange
Mac OS X Snow Leopard delivers built-in support for the latest version of Microsoft Exchange Server, something even Windows PCs don’t have.
- Use your Mac at home and at work and have all your messages, meetings, and contacts in one place.
- Easily set it up using the Autodiscovery feature in Exchange.
- Use Mail, iCal, and Address Book to access your work email, calendars, and the Global Address List alongside your personal accounts.
- Take advantage of powerful Mac OS X features such as Spotlight, Quick Look, data detectors, and more.
Safari 4
The latest version of Apple’s blazing-fast web browser delivers up to 50 percent faster JavaScript performance and is more resistant to crashes than ever.
- Use Top Sites to view your favorite websites at a glance, see which ones have been updated, and visit them in a click.
- Complete search queries as you type with built-in Google Suggest.
- Flip through full-page previews of your browsing history in Cover Flow the same way you flip through album art in iTunes.
Universal Access
Every Mac comes with built-in technologies designed to help people with disabilities experience it. Innovations in Snow Leopard advance accessibility even further.
- Control your Mac using gestures on your Multi-Touch trackpad. And when you drag your finger across the trackpad, VoiceOver speaks the items you touch so you know how they’re arranged on the screen.
- Snow Leopard includes support for over 40 braille display models, including Bluetooth models.
- New accessibility features make web browsing easier, faster, and more enjoyable.
Most Useful Reviews
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Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard
Two steps forward, one step back
Written by ML from Montreal
Sep 30, 2009
The speed increases are significant, and probably worthwhile in the long run, but applications - Apple and non-Apple Intel applications included - crash fairly regularly. All the non-Apple applications have crashed several times since I started using Snow Leopard a few days ago, and Apple applications such as Mail, iPhoto, and Safari have also crashed. While the speed increase, and some of the layout improvements, make it overall a good product, the number of bugs means it's probably worth waiting for some updates before buying it. …More
901 of 988 people found this useful
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Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard
Too many issues to bother with now
Written by AK from Kansas City
Oct 1, 2009
Luckily I had only had my computer for two months before I attempted this, because it was utter ____. I've lost a couple of things because I had to revert back to leopard, and Firefox was one of the main ones. My office 2008 is buggy now and I've tried to fix it, but I think its even past my help. My advice is to wait a few months, and back up your computer first if you do attempt it. Luckily I did. …More
641 of 750 people found this useful
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Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard
Playing nice with other software
Written by EH from Minster
Oct 1, 2009
Beware. If you are using Adobe Products such as CS4 or Nikon products such as Capture NX2. Snow leopard does NOT play real well. locks up (Beach ball of death) alot. Also Snow Leopard will cause your legit copy of Lightroom 2.5 to expire.
Other than that nice savings to the HD and noticeable speed increase. …More590 of 696 people found this useful
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Most Recent Reviews
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Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard
Best switch
Written by JM from Unity
Dec 2, 2009
I just switched from Windows to Mac and I decided to go all out and buy the 27" Quad-core iMac with Snow Leopard. This has been the best choice I have ever made. I do not see what the problems are with this, it is just simply perfect. I have had no problems doing anything, whether I am on youtube, itunes, making movies or making music. But in the end, it will be up to the user to decide whether they like it or not. …More
6 of 12 people found this useful
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Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard
Not compatible with Filemaker Pro!
Written by JR from Rockford
Dec 1, 2009
We just added a new Mac to our network, Using Filemaker pro. Snow leopard crashes the network. Had to go back to the old system. This created a hudge mess! …More
15 of 26 people found this useful
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Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard
Seriously Apple? Very disappointed in Snow Leopard
Written by JP from LOUISVILLE
Nov 30, 2009
I am constantly having issues with snow leopard. I don't understand. Leopard seemed so much better and more stable. Issues range from getting several kernel panics (mac crash requiring restart) due to USB hardware. Also, several apps are now struggling in the performance realm from Adobe Creative Suite to basic apps like Mail being non-responsive.
Ahhh.. Just overall really disappointed in this lousy $29 update. …More34 of 42 people found this useful
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Questions & Answers
Most Interesting
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My Mac is still with the Mac OS X Tiger, can I upgrade to the snow?
- Asked by FI
- Sep 30, 2009
Best Answer
As I said before - your processor - i.e. the age of your Mac is key to this. If you have an Intel processor (the newer Macs) - then yes you can install an upgrade to Snow Leopard 10.6, if not then no, you are stuck with Tiger 10.4.
Look on the Apple Store site for hardware requirements of Snow Leopard 10.6.
Apple stores do not sell older operating systems - such as Leopard 10.5 - you will have to get Leopard 10.5 if you want it from Ebay or somewhere similar. …More- Answered by JW from BEXLEYHEATH
- Oct 1, 2009
- 90 of 105 people found this useful
- 3 more answers
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My Imac is Mac OSX Version 10.5.8 Would I benefit by upgrading to Snow Leopard, or have I already got it.
- Asked by CW
- Sep 30, 2009
Best Answer
You have the most up-to-date release of Leopard, but not Snow Leopard. Snow Leopard is version 10.6 - you only have 10.5.8.
And to answer your second question, no, MS Word is not included with Snow Leopard - you have to buy it separately. It's about $150 US.
Hope this helped!
Daniel James …More- Answered by DD from Ohaupo
- Sep 30, 2009
- 28 of 32 people found this useful
- 10 more answers
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Lots of bad reviews. Should I wait to upgrade?
- Asked by AM from Hoffman Estates
- Oct 11, 2009
Best Answer
Reviews may say one thing and you might find out from your own experience another thing.
If you're speaking about upgrading to Snow Leopard, I suggest you look for an Apple store in your area and sign up for one of their free workshops on Snow Leopard.
While attending the workshop, you will find out more about Snow Leopard, and the person conducting the workshop will be able to answer some of your concerns about it.
Apple's workshops can be very helpful and informative. …More- Answered by CP from Golden Valley
- Oct 11, 2009
- 19 of 22 people found this useful
- 6 more answers
Most Recent
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i have a mac os x 10.4.11 can i install snow leopard right away?
- Asked by JL from west hills
- Dec 3, 2009
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which vm fusion version should I use for snow leopard? Will I stil be able to acces all of my present programs and data on my existing windows XP?
- Asked by JB from East Hills
- Dec 3, 2009
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I have mac osx10.5.8 on PowerMacG5 with Power PC 970 processor can I upgrade to snow leopard on this computer?
- Asked by RG from Madison
- Dec 3, 2009
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I have a MacBook Intel Core 2 Duo, running on a MAC OS X 10.4.11 can i upgrade to use snow leopard?
- Asked by MH from Liverpool
- Dec 3, 2009
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can I upgrade my G4 macbook OS X 10.2 to OS X 10.6 Snow leopard?
- Asked by AJ from Faversham
- Dec 2, 2009
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Where can I find a list of patches and upgrades that have been applied to snow leopard?
- Asked by DP from St. Catharines
- Dec 2, 2009
