Mac OS X 10.1 “PUMA”

Part of the Mac OS X family

Jullibee Fortunado

Developer: Apple ComputerReleases: Release date September 25,

2001 Current version 10.1.5 (June 6,

2002) License APSL and Apple EULA Kernel type Hybrid kernel Platform support PowerPC

Mac OS X version 10.1, code named “Puma”, is the second major release of Mac OS X, Apple’s desktop and server operating system. It superseded Mac OS X v10.0 and preceded Mac OS X v10.2. Version 10.1 was released on September 25, 2001 as a 'free update' to version 10.0. Starting with version 10.1.2, Apple made Mac OS X the default operating system on new Macs.

The operating system was handed out for no charge by Apple employees after Steve Jobs' keynote speech at the Seybold publishing conference in San Francisco. It was subsequently distributed to Macintosh users on October 25, 2001 at Apple Store and other retail stores that carried Apple products. The operating system was better received than Mac OS X version 10.0, although critics claimed that the operating system was still lacking features and was plagued with bugs.

System requirements

Supported computers — Power Mac G3, G4, G4 Cube, iMac G3, DV, eMac, PowerBook, or iBook

RAM required — 128 megabytes(unofficially 64 megabytes minimum)

Free hard drive space — 1.5 gigabytes

Features:

Apple introduced many features that were missing from the last version, as well as improving overall system performance.

This system release brought some major new features to the Mac OS X platform:

Performance enhancements — Mac OS X v10.1 introduced large performance increases throughout the system.

Easier CD and DVD burning — better support in Finder as well as iTunes

DVD playback support— DVDs can be played in Apple DVD Player

More printer support (200 printers supported out of the box) — One of the main complaints of version 10.0 users was the lack of printer drivers, and Apple attempted to remedy the situation by including more drivers, although many critics complained that there were still not enough.

Faster 3D (OpenGL performs 20% faster) — The OpenGL drivers, and handling were vastly improved in this version of Mac OS X, which created a large performance gap for 3D elements in the interface, and 3D applications.

Improved AppleScript — The scripting interface now allows scripting access to many more system components, such as the Printer Center, and Terminal, thus improving the customizability of the interface. As well, Apple introduced AppleScript Studio, which allows a user to create full AppleScript applications in a simple graphical interface.

ColorSync 4.0, the color management system and API.

Image Capture, for acquiring images from digital cameras and scanners.

Criticisms:

Although version 10.1 was a much better operating system than its predecessor, it still received its share of criticism.

System performance — Although system performance in version 10.1 was greatly improved, it was still deemed 'not enough' for many to adopt Mac OS X as their main operating system.Minor upgrade — While version 10.1 made some significant headway, many users criticized the step between versions 10.0 and 10.1 as not large enough. The user interface was said to have barely changed at all, and significant bugs still existed, some that caused entire system crashes.

Mac OS X v10.1 as a main operating systemCritics claimed that Mac OS X was still

not fully developed in terms of reliability or functionality, and as such could not be used as a main operating system under normal conditions. They believed that Apple’s use of Mac OS 9 as the default booting operating system on new computers illustrated their point. Apple switched to using Mac OS X as the default with the 10.1.2 release.

Version history

Mac OS X version10.1.1Released on November 13, 2001, on the same

day that AirPort Software 2.0 was made available for download, Mac OS X version 10.1.1 was the first update to Mac OS X 10.1 "Puma". The build number was 5M28, although this was 5M45 for PowerBooks that shipped with the new OS.

10.1.2 On December 20, 2001, Apple Computer

released Mac OS X 10.1.2, the second update to Mac OS X 10.1 "Puma". The build number is 5P48 (5P63 for summer 2001 and flat-panel iMacs, as well as "QuickSilver" (2002) Power Macintosh G4s, and PowerBook G4s with Gigabit Ethernet.) The main enhancements in this update include improvements, new functionality, and expanded peripheral support for Mac OS X. Updated and new USB and FireWire device support, including FireWire-based digital cameras, were included with this update. PCMCIA (PC Card) storage devices and media readers got a functionality enhancement as well. For PowerBooks with FireWire ports, this update finally restored IrDA modem support.

10.1.3 Mac OS X 10.1.3 is the third update for

Mac OS X 10.1 "Puma". It is an update that improves the reliability of Mac OS X application programmes, includes important security features, and adds new and updated support for Digital Hub peripherals. Its build number is 5Q45 (5Q83 if you bought a new iMac G3 or iMac G4 with the OS already installed) .

For Image Capture and iPhoto, support was improved for several digital cameras from Canon, Kodak and Sony.

10.1.4Mac OS X 10.1.4, the fourth update to

Mac OS X 10.1 "Puma", was released on April 17, 2002. It mainly has a build number of 5Q125, although its build number as a Mac OS preinstalled on new Macs can vary: for iMac G4s, it's either 5R48 or 5T91; DVI PowerBook G4s have build 5R60; and eMacs get 5R106.

Numerous changes in the update deal with network, security and more disc recording device support.

10.1.5Apple Computer, on June 4, 2002, released

the fifth update to Mac OS X 10.1.x "Puma", Mac OS X 10.1.5. The build numbers vary: 5S60 is the build number for the original 10.1.5 update, whereas 5S66 is the build number following the installation of Networking Update 1.0, and 5T91 was a build released for certain Macs, noticeably iMac G4s.

A Visual Tour of Mac OS X 10.1

Screen shots

Screenshot of Mac OS X v10.1 with a background of Nantucket Island

The Dock

AirPort

Dock Preferences

The Dock Itself

Desktop

General Preferences

Keyboard Prefs

Log In

Sound Prefs

Universal Access Users

Prefs