is Lion worth it for a Mac Pro desktop?

[Thessman]

Hi everybody.
I too have been using Macs for a long time ( since '85 ) and I feel like I should be quoting a lot of what people have already said in this thread, but I'll try to add something, here goes: I think that Lion is the sorriest update to the OS ever, even worse than 7.5.1! . If Apple continues with the next version ( sub-version ) i.e. 10.8 this trend that started with 10.7 then I will have to look to alternatives. Apple shouldn't tread away from its OS. After all it is the OS that propelled it to where it stands. At least it should split up into two companies, one for computers and OS's and one for gadgets and iOS.

 

[VanneDC]

wow, you cant turn autosave off? i dint know that...

anyone know if wacom drivers run on lion without issues?

 

[scottsjack]

Who freaking cares?

I care in that it's indicative of the direction that Apple is steering OS X in. Also a user shouldn't have to spend time with a new OS learning how to turn stuff off and undo the goofs.

I'm running Lion and Windows 8 on my mini. Even though W8 is a pre-beta developers preview it still runs smoother than Lion in desktop mode.

 

[disconap]

Is it "normal" for Lion that a raid0 boot drive is not visible in the left column of Finder?

In finder, top menu:
Finder-->Preferences, click the "general" tab.

I care in that it's indicative of the direction that Apple is steering OS X in. Also a user shouldn't have to spend time with a new OS learning how to turn stuff off and undo the goofs.

I'm running Lion and Windows 8 on my mini. Even though W8 is a pre-beta developers preview it still runs smoother than Lion in desktop mode.

This isn't a new direction, every iteration of the MacOS has removed, replaced, or introduced very useful things and very annoying things. I've found that every new version since OS5 has required a few days of tweaking and learning what works best for me, as it is generally set to be the most user "friendly" possible (i.e., idiot proof) and/or aligned to whatever their most popular item is at the time (OSX was universally tailored to the iMac style, Lion seems to be tailored towards the iPhone/iPad iOS crowd). Take the little bit of time to set things how you want them and all is good.

 

[sarahanwrapped]

If you have more than one monitor, Lion is a big no no.

Lion came pre-installed with my new MacPro, Apples said running three monitors = no problem. Since I'm in the process of setting up the machine, currently using only one monitor. What specifically did you encounter with more than one?

 

[goMac]

Lion came pre-installed with my new MacPro, Apples said running three monitors = no problem. Since I'm in the process of setting up the machine, currently using only one monitor. What specifically did you encounter with more than one?

Full screen mode disables the other monitors when in use.

Besides that, there are no issues. I don't think it's a no no.

 

[G4DP]

For a desktop machine I would say no.

The added "iOS" features work great on the wifes MacBook Pro, but it has had no improvement on the MacPro. If anything it causes more problems. Mail is constantly hanging, doesn't quit. When an iPod is attactched iTunes constantly launches itself. After 10 minutes use or so I start to have the screen flickering proplems. It doesn't matter which GPU is used. I know it's Lion as the problem doesn't occure under Leopard, Snow Leopard, Windowx XP or 7.

If productivity is your main use, I would give it a while. Wait for another couple of updates and see what problems people are still having here.

 

[Winni]

What do you guys think? What Lion features are useful for a mac pro user with three monitors?

None. Rather the opposite is true, actually: Almost all features in Lion were designed for single display systems.

But that is not the point, isn't it? You are talking about an Apple product, and if you want to keep your software up to date, you will soon have no other choice than upgrading to Lion because Apple doesn't deem it necessary to support older versions of its platforms and applications.

 

[whyrichard]

for my desktop, lion seems to have almost no value. it is interesting that windows is moving their desktop software in the direction of their mobile software as well...

for serious applications, there needs to be a platform which remains configurable, reliable, upgradable, etc.... something perhaps not made by apple or windows.

go on... tell me it already exists...

r.

 

[derbothaus]

It exists. There just aren't drivers for it.

 

[Parkin Pig]

anyone know if wacom drivers run on lion without issues?

If you've got an Intuos 4, you will not be able to configure any of the pen buttons as a 'double-click', and you cannot drag tunes into playlists in the latest version of iTunes. Highly infuriating.

 

[Hey Jude]

Lion came pre-installed with my new MacPro*, Apples said running three monitors = no problem. Since I'm in the process of setting up the machine, currently using only one monitor. What specifically did you encounter with more than one?

I thanked my lucky stars that my MP, purchased on 9-15, came without Lion, as I get to choose when to make the switch to Lion. The free DL code was nice, but I much preferred the os autonomy that SL preloaded gave me.

For me, my Internet connection is inconsistent under lion, and I just prefer the user experience under SL, so I going to wait until all of the bugs are fixed.



*emphasis is mine.

 

[linuxcooldude]

While I'm not super excited over Lion, it has its uses.

If you think its too dumbed down, terminal program can still be used. What? You don't know how to use terminal? Perhaps you use dumbed down operating systems more then you think.

Launch pad is the only iOS like addition. Its just another way of accessing your programs which you don't have to use.

I see gestures more for single screen laptops. Which you can use on the desktop with the use of a touchpad. Which is also optional.

 

[reel2reel]

If you think its too dumbed down, terminal program can still be used. What? You don't know how to use terminal? Perhaps you use dumbed down operating systems more then you think.

That's a pretty lame defense for a poorly-designed UI.

 

[linuxcooldude]

That's a pretty lame defense for a poorly-designed UI.

The idea I'm trying to make is most modern OSes have their interface dumbed down a long time ago and its rather pointless to bring it up now. Especially for Macs that have been designed to be easy to use in the first place.

 

[HHarm]

How long did Apple support Leopard with security updates? Currenly the only reason to keep Lion on my MP is that it will have support/updates.

 

[CaptainChunk]

How long did Apple support Leopard with security updates? Currenly the only reason to keep Lion on my MP is that it will have support/updates.

A little over two years ago, they stopped. But many still continue to use 10.5.8 with no issues. And I would imagine a lot of us will continue to use Snow Leopard until its wheels fall off.

Right now, the only way you're gonna shove Lion in my lap is if I was forced into it with a brand new Mac. But I'm not in any hurry to buy another Mac right now, anyway.