Apple for whatever reason (probably so as to retain the name OS TEN) has been incrementing it’s paid system upgrades by point increments rather than full integers. The version number is just part of the name. They could have called it anything. What matters is what features they include. Each “point” release of OS X has had significant features and enhancements. They are a hell of a lot more comprehensive than WIndows service packs.

In between point releases Apple provides numerous free downloadable software updates. OS X 10.4 (Tiger) has had ten so far and is currently at verson 10.4.10. In addition there have been other free security and compatibility updates that haven’t bumped the version.

Don’t expect radical changes with each Mac OS system release . The last big change occurred when Apple transitioned he Classic Mac OS to OS-X. Now its just deliberate incremental improvements. And that’s a good thing. Change for the sake of change is just confusing and a source of trouble.

The nice thing about Mac system upgrades is that they come every 18 months. The system is in good enough shape that if you don’t feel there are enough improvements this time, you can skip an upgrade cycle and wait for the next one.

Why thanks man! Did you see the mugs?

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Also why do you figure it should be free? There’s a whole lot in Leopard beyond bug fixes. http://arstechnica.com/reviews/os/mac-os-x-10-5.ars
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Well, I suppose that I figure a point release of a product should be a free upgrade, as it generally is with Windows Service Packs. OSX -> OSX.5 isnt as big of an update as XP->Vista, for example but the price for upgrading is about the same.

$170? You keep being SO MUCH documented. Do you know Google?

Also why do you figure it should be free? There’s a whole lot in Leopard beyond bug fixes. http://arstechnica.com/reviews/os/mac-os-x-10-5.ars

By the way, I do think the shirt is cool even if I don’t agree with the sentiment.