Apple Releases Update to Mac OS X 10.5.7

By Marcus Yam
published

We talk a lot around these parts about operating systems that aren’t officially released yet, but there’s still work being done on the OSes of today.

Just as Windows Vista has its second Service Pack (it’s gone gold and should release soon), those of the Mac camp have a brand new update to download to bring their OS X installations to a whole new number.

Apple today released an update to bring Leopard to 10.5.7 – what many believe to be the last major update before the release of Snow Leopard.

Apple lists the following as general fixes and improvements:

  • Includes latest security fixes.
  • Includes additional RAW image support for several third-party cameras.
  • Improves performance of video playback and cursor movements for recent Macs with NVIDIA graphics.
  • Resolves an issue with Dvorak keyboard layout in Mac OS X 10.5.6.
  • Improves the reliability and accuracy of Unit Converter, Stocks, Weather and Movies Dashboard widgets.
  • Addresses a situation that may cause issues when logging into Gmail.
  • Improves reliability when syncing contacts with Yahoo!.
  • Expansion Slot Utility for Mac Pro now reports the correct PCIe slot configuration.
  • Improves network performance when connected to certain Ethernet switches that have Flow Control enabled.
  • Improves stability for network home directories hosted by Mac OS X Server v10.4.
  • Improves Finder search results for network volumes that may not support Spotlight searching, such as Mac OS X Server v10.4, Time Capsule, and third-party AFP servers.
  • Includes several improvements to Directory Service and Client Management, which are described in the About Mac OS X Server 10.5.7 Update article.

There are also other fixes for iCal, Mail, Parental Controls and Printing. Check out the full list here.

If you have a Mac running 10.5, you can get the update from Software Update or you can download them separately from Apple’s Support Downloads. The base update from 10.5.6 will run 442 MB.

Marcus Yam
Marcus Yam
Marcus Yam served as Tom's Hardware News Director during 2008-2014. He entered tech media in the late 90s and fondly remembers the days when an overclocked Celeron 300A and Voodoo2 SLI comprised a gaming rig with the ultimate street cred.
25 Comments Comment from the forums
  • acecombat
    Marcus YamImproves performance of video playback and cursor movements for recent Macs with NVIDIA graphics.
    So Macs can finally render a mouse cursor smoothly?? Looks like everything is coming up apple
    Reply
  • cadder
    According to Apple commercials on TV, Apple computers do not require updates to their operating systems.
    Reply
  • norbs
    acecombatSo Macs can finally render a mouse cursor smoothly?? Looks like everything is coming up applelol tho whole OS looks more fluid then any MS os as it is, it's just making it better...
    Reply
  • norbs
    norbslol tho whole OS looks more fluid then any MS os as it is, it's just making it better...it's not required.
    Reply
  • cryogenic
    cadderAccording to Apple commercials on TV, Apple computers do not require updates to their operating systems.
    I also love the fact that while Microsoft when doing and update usually says something in the lines of:
    - Fixed a performance issue regarding mouse movement on X video cards ..

    The Apple version:
    - Improves performance of video playback and cursor movements for recent Macs with NVIDIA graphics.

    What is there to improve for mouse movement? It either works as expected or it doesn't work as expected (laggy, slow response) in which case it's an ISSUE they FIXED, not an "improvement" they made.

    After so many years since graphical interfaces were first developed I don't think there are still things to improve about mouse movement ...

    Yeah go ahead, flame me back (maybe I deserve it) but that improving the mouse movement got me started ...

    Reply
  • norbs
    cadderAccording to Apple commercials on TV, Apple computers do not require updates to their operating systems.^^^ quoted wrong thing earlier, but no it's not required.
    Reply
  • norbs
    CryogenicI also love the fact that while Microsoft when doing and update usually says something in the lines of: - Fixed a performance issue regarding mouse movement on X video cards ..The Apple version: - Improves performance of video playback and cursor movements for recent Macs with NVIDIA graphics.What is there to improve for mouse movement? It either works as expected or it doesn't work as expected (laggy, slow response) in which case it's an ISSUE they FIXED, not an "improvement" they made.After so many years since graphical interfaces were first developed I don't think there are still things to improve about mouse movement ... Yeah go ahead, flame me back (maybe I deserve it) but that improving the mouse movement got me started ...
    Yeah good mentality, if you figure out how to do something better then no point in doing it because it's just extra work.
    Reply
  • ag3nt smith
    Ok...

    Includes latest security fixes.
    > I thought they didn't need security fixes? I thought Macs were the PERFECT creation ever!
    Improves the reliability and accuracy of Unit Converter, Stocks, Weather and Movies Dashboard widgets.
    > What kind of OS can't do math or read stocks or maps?
    Improves reliability when syncing contacts with Yahoo!.
    > Reliability? So Macs crash?
    Expansion Slot Utility for Mac Pro now reports the correct PCIe slot configuration.
    > Sounds like a bad hardware issue to me.

    I'll stick with my W7 RC until Apple 'creates' the real 'perfect' creation.
    Reply
  • acecombat
    norbslol tho whole OS looks more fluid then any MS os as it is, it's just making it better...What's more fluid than fluid?!? (No that's not a brain teaser, it's pointing out another Mac
    Reply
  • warezme
    norbsit's not required.
    LOL, windows updates are not required either but if you want your sh*t fixed as in it fixes things that don't work like they are supposed to, then yea..., they are required.
    Reply