Mac OS X 10.3.4 released

[BFG]

Apple today released Mac OS X 10.3.4 via the Software Update preference pane. (Mac OS X Server 10.3.4 was also released.) According to the release notes, the 41MB update delivers enhanced functionality and improved reliability for Mac OS X 10.3 (Panther) and is recommended for all users.

Key enhancements include:

Improved file sharing and directory services for Mac (AFP), UNIX (NFS), PPTP, and wireless networks

Improved OpenGL technology and updated ATI and NVIDIA graphics drivers

Improved disc burning and recording functionality

iPods connected via USB 2.0 are now recognized by iTunes and iSync

Additional FireWire audio and USB device compatibility

Updated Address Book, Mail, Safari, Stickies, and QuickTime applications

Improved compatibility for third party applications

Previous standalone security updates



..... Excellent smithers

[Supernatural Pie]

Improved OpenGL technology and updated ATI and NVIDIA graphics drivers

Uh... is this the thing we were all waiting for so desperately in the last update that never happened?

 

If it is...

 

[Mr. Lothario]

     I have noticed a hefty slowdown in CoD since I installed the update, including occasional freezes during action. Beware.

[BFG]

What Graphics card loth??

Ive noticed very little change in anything so far... GhR dosn't seem different - i would test it with everything else but since the HD Died..   i think somebody upstairs is kicking me in the nuts for the fun of it

[Mr. Lothario]

     64MB GeForce 4 MX.

[BFG]

...exactly the same as me. hmm

with GL updates i usually use the iTunes Visualizer on fullscreen to see what inproment if any there is... just did it now and well... it wasn't great - certainly not better.

[KoS.Rebel]

They got our hopes up but yet again we were let down. Next time they say increased openGL they better mean "You will get constant 100 fps".  

[*DAMN Elandrion]

take a look at xlr8yourmac.com; some people seem to experience slowdowns in UT2k4 too...

maybe doing some benchs would help

Elandrion

[Mr.Mellow]

Hmm, on InsideMacGames.com, they said that it should increase performance in CoD. I've noticed a little bit of change, but maybe it only helps the lower end machines like mine. Hmm.

[BFG]

**
 10.3.4 includes a new OpenGL feature called "vertex buffer objects" or VBO for short. It's essentially a method of storing vertex data directly on the video card to eliminate CPU overhead. Apple had implemented a similar extension in the past, called "vertex array range" (VAR) that was essentially a reworking of the Nvidia extension of a similar name. The main difference between VBO and VAR (aside from the API looking fairly different) is that VBO is a cross-platform, ARB-approved way of achieving the same speed-up **

[Mr. Lothario]

     Mellow, I'm on a 733 G4 with 768 MB of RAM. In terms of games, it doesn't get much more low-end.

     Interesting, BFG. Where'd you find that?

[BTs_Lee.Harvey]

welll.. updated to 10.3.4 and now the g5 no longer can tell that my EZQuest 52x cd-rw drive is connected to the firewire.. all it thinks is that there is something connected but it cant tell what.. it worked last week in 10.3.3...... they do this to that drive everyother update

[BFG]

Loth its from xlr8yourmac. Very interesting.

Was in Uni thismorning, mate of mine who has a 15inch G4 powerbook updated last night... he's getting some pretty damn horrific screen shit - not sure if the drivers disagree with his Graphics card or what - but the screen isn't refreshing properly and its leaving artifacts accross 90% of the screen.

Hes had this probem before - but it was only about 5% and used to disapear after a few minutes...

On another note i have found after launching AA up post update - that well its fooked. textures are not showing properly - everything is blocky and im getting weird light artifacts not rendering at all...its horrible!

[Supernatural Pie]

    Mellow, I'm on a 733 G4 with 768 MB of RAM. In terms of games, it doesn't get much more low-end.

Ahem.

700 G4 with 640 MB or RAM.

[cO.gabe]

So here is the question:

Update now or wait for the next update?

(I don't want it to fuck up my CoD... I would be pissed)

[Mr.Grey]

i like panthers `expose sorting program dats badass.... if im watchin porn just hit F11 and bam it goes off screen gawd i luv it

[BFG]

Just tried CoD - Its running sweet as anything. No problems, no decrease in framerates that i can notice - i wouldn't worry about updating

(ps. 1Ghz G4 (x2) - 1GB ram Geforce4mx)

[[[EUR]] HoloGram]

Today I installed CoD Demo on my G5 1.8 with 1,5 Gig RAM and OSX 10.3.4.

The Demo runs like shit. Dunno why , maybe its the 10.3.4.
No matter what resolution is used. or waht Settings. It is not playble...
FPS like 10-20 in lowaction scenes.

[BFG]

Its weird how varied the feedback is - everything from people saying its sucked the life out of their computer, to people saying its as if someone gave their computer a kick up the ass!

[BTs_GhostSniper]

Its weird how varied the feedback is - everything from people saying its sucked the life out of their computer, to people saying its as if someone gave their computer a kick up the ass!

And then you have people like me who see no difference what so ever.

1.8GHz Single-G5, 2.5GB RAM, ATi Radeon 9600 Pro 64MB.