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Apple (Nasdaq: AAPL) has released its latest update for Mac OS X, bringing the version numbers up to 10.5.6. Depending on a user's destination Mac, the update ranges from 190 MB or so up to a staggering 668 MB "combo" update, which tends to be used in organizations that plan to update multiple different Macs.
The update includes dozens of general operating system fixes that enhance stability, compatibility and security.
With the update, Apple is warning that users should back up their Mac before proceeding.
"You may experience unexpected results if you have third-party system software modifications installed, or if you have modified the operating system through other means, or if you have moved Apple applications from their default locations (the /Applications or /Applications/Utilities folders)," notes Apple on its support document for the 10.5.6 update.
Don't Leave Me Hanging
Sven Rafferty, founder of hyperSven and SvenOnTech blogger, updated his Mac Pro last night.
"Software Update failed to install after the long download," Rafferty told MacNewsWorld.
"I then went and just got the big ol' 372 MB version from Apple's site and it worked like a charm," he added.
For most, Apple's built-in Software Update application usually works just fine, but when it doesn't, a standalone update downloaded from Apple's Web site often does the trick, as it did in Rafferty's case.
In fact, message boards on Apple-focused blogs and Web sites seem to be reporting an increased number of Software Update-based hangs during the install process, though at this point it's hard to say whether 10.5.6 is any better or worse than previous updates. However, prudent Mac users may want to download the combo update and install directly from it. It can be found on Apple's downloads site.
Lots of Fixes
The 10.5.6 update includes dozens of fixes, some of which are rather esoteric, like the fix that improves the performance and reliability of the Chess game. Others tackle bigger issues like MobileMe.
"Finally, finally! MobileMe does push from the desktop now!" Rafferty gushed. "I did lots of testing -- at midnight, no doubt -- and confirmed any changes in iCal or Address Book were immediately pushed to my iPhone. The longest push took 20 seconds," he said.
Some of the more notable fixes include:
- improved reliability for Address Book syncing with iPhone and other devices and applications
- improved reliability of AirPort connections
- improved reliability of synchronizing files on a portable home directory
- fixes an issue that could cause an encryption alert to appear in an iChat window
- includes general improvements to gaming performance
- includes graphics improvements for iChat, Cover Flow, Aperture, and iTunes
- includes fixes for possible graphics distortion issues with certain ATI (Nasdaq: ATYT) graphics cards
- includes overall performance and reliability fixes in Mail
- MobileMe contacts, calendars and bookmarks on a Mac automatically sync within a minute of the change being made on the computer, another device, or the Web at me.com
- improves the performance and reliability of TCP connections
- improves reliability and performance for AT&T (NYSE: T) 3G cards
- improves printing for the Adobe (Nasdaq: ADBE) CS3 application suite, as well as printing on Brother and Canon (NYSE: CAJ) printers
- fixes issues that could cause Time Machine to state the backup volume could not be found, and improves Time Machine reliability with Time Capsule
- includes Mac OS X security improvements
- includes performance improvements for iCal
- adds a Trackpad System Preference pane for portable Macs
For the full range of fixes and additions, check out Apple's support document HT3194. For details on the security fixes, check out HT3338.
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