I have installed the new version of the Apple OS on my MacBook Pro and here and some initial impressions.
1. Installation is very slick. It takes a while to download the OS (even on Broadband) but it installs without issue – just leave it in the corner. Running programs for the first time will perform an update (ie Mail) or warn as if it is running for the first time. When I ran my copy of IDEA a message popped up to say that I needed to install Java and a set of menus to follow installed this. The new programs like FaceTime are loaded by default onto the Menu bar at the bottom so that you can try them at your leisure.
2. It looks very pretty. There are some subtle changes to the appearance. I think it looks sharper – you will either love it or loathe it.
3. Lots of improvements. I sometimes struggle to see the new features in an update, but they are everywhere in Lion. All the built-in applications have been improved. Mail is much slicker and even Terminal has been upgraded – there is a nice new remote connections option. The desktop is improved with tools like LaunchPad and Mission control and there are some new special areas.
4. Its a no-brainer. Apple clearly wants to move everyone onto Lion. It has an awful lot of new features (new apps, new functions, better UI, improved backup features, new fresh look) and it costs 20 quid. Upgrade today!
What do you think of the new OS X??
I installed Lion right away and have been pleased. The installation process listed a handful of applications that will no longer run (with the loss of Rosetta), but these were all older applications that I hadn’t used for months or years.
Not yet ready to do without an install DVD, I used Disk Utility to burn an install disk from the InstallESD.dmg disk image that is inside the Lion installation package. I don’t know if I’ll ever use it, but I feel better having it in my media storage. Note that if you want to do this, the installer program deletes these files as soon as installation is complete, so you have to quit the installer first, burn the DVD and then continue (or download a new copy from the AppStore if you’ve already run it the first time).
There are definitely features I’ll never use, but all in all, I’m enjoying my time with Lion.
Did you find any negative things with Lion?