Mac OS X 10.6.8 Snow Leopard is an upgrade to the previous version of OS X Leopard. This update does not have stacks of new features, rather overall improvements and efficiency upgrades. This version of Apple's OS also has a reduced footprint.
Key features include:
Immediately after updating to Mac OS X 10.6.8, a number of users reporting getting no audio for stereo digital optical output. Other audio formats, such as DTS, work—but not standard stereo. The latest Skype version does say on the download page, that it should be compatible with OS X 10.6.8 But on trying to install Skype message says I need OS X 10.9 minimum, so the download page is incorrect. Expert news, reviews and videos of the latest digital cameras, lenses, accessories, and phones. However, I do see that their website says 10.6.8 is OK. Their Web site now says 'Mac OS X v10.7 or v10.8'. Lightroom on Mac OSX 10.6.8 In reply to.
- Slimmer QuickTime Player: QuickTime X features a simplified GUI with a greater focus on codec support.
- Cocoa Based Finder: Finder has a new Cocoa Desktop Window and Contextual Menu.
- Safari Beta 4 Default Browser: Apple included a beta version of Safari 4 with Snow Leopard.
- Microsoft Exchange Server Support: Mac users can now connect to Microsoft Exchange 2007 servers via Mail, Address Book, and iCal.
- Faster Installation Time: Installing Snow Leopard on multiple machines takes approx 15 minutes in comparison to around an hour for Leopard.
If your Mac is operating at a slow pace, then for that reason alone it is worth the upgrade to OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard. As far as developers are concerned, the integration of Grand Central, OpenCL and a 64 bit kernel will allow you to take full advantage of the dual processing power of Intel Macs.
Updating your system
You should back up your system before installation; you can use Time Machine.
Do not interrupt the installation process once you have started to update your system. You may experience unexpected results if you have third-party system software modifications installed, or if you've modified the operating system through other means.
Choose Software Update from the Apple () menu to check for the latest Apple software via the Internet, including this update.
If your computer is not up-to-date, other software updates available for your computer may appear, which you should install. When Software Updates states 'Your software is up to date,' you can be sure that all available updates have been installed.
Note that an update's size may vary from computer-to-computer when installed using Software Update. Also, some updates must be installed prior to others, so you should run Software Update more than once to make sure you have all available updates.
You can manually download the update installer. This is a useful option when you need to update multiple computers but only want to download the update once. These versions of the standalone installers are available from Apple Support Downloads.
What's included?
- Enhancements to the Mac App Store to get your Mac ready to upgrade to Mac OS X Lion.
- Resolves an issue that may cause Preview to unexpectedly quit.
- Improves support for IPv6.
- Improves VPN reliability.
- Identifies and removes known variants of MacDefender malware.
- Corrects timezone data in iCal for Lisbon-Portugal.
- Adds the ability to use Kerberos authentication to a web proxy server.
- Fixes an issue when saving documents from Xcode or TextEdit when using an NFS home directory.
- Fixes an issue when importing certain media files into Final Cut Pro.
- Includes RAW image compatibility for additional digital cameras.
- Certain network printers that pause print jobs immediately, and do not complete (Mac OS X v10.6.8 Supplemental Update)
- System audio that stops working when using HDMI or optical audio out (Mac OS X v10.6.8 Supplemental Update)
Mac OS X v10.6.8 also includes fixes provided in the Mac OS X v10.6.7 Snow Leopard Font Update:
- Addresses an issue in which some OpenType fonts don't display correctly in certain applications.
- Resolves issues printing from Preview.
- Addresses an issue with PDF files not opening in third-party PDF viewing applications.
- Resolves invalid font errors when printing to PostScript printers.
Learn more
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For information about the security content of this update, please visit article HT1222.