Brief Hands-On Report--Mac OS X 10.3.4 Update

Both client and server versions of Mac OS X 10.3.4 Update (Build 7H63) are available for download from the Software Update preference pane or as stand-alone updaters (10.3.3 to 10.3.4), client and server. There are also stand-alone combo (10.3.x to 10.3.4) updaters, client and server.

Here the key changes to the client version:

- improved file sharing and directory services for Mac (AFP), UNIX (NFS), PPTP, and wireless networks
- improved OpenGL technology and updated ATI and NVIDIA graphics drivers
- improved disc burning and recording functionality
- iPods connected via USB 2.0 are now recognized by iTunes and iSync
- additional FireWire audio and USB device compatibility
- updated Address Book, Mail, Safari, Stickies, and QuickTime applications
- improved compatibility for third party applications
- previous standalone security updates

and for the server version:

- improved reliability of AFP, SMB/CIFS and NFS file services, and network automounts
- enhanced Server Admin, Workgroup Manager and Network Image Utility applications
- improved Open Directory scalability and reliability, Active Directory integration and Kerberos support
- updated QuickTime streaming and broadcast services for compatibility with 3G phones
- added support for background rebuilding of RAID mirrors, and network VLAN tagging
- updated to Samba version 3.0.2 and MySQL version 4.0.18
- improved PostScript and USB printing
- additional support for FireWire and USB devices
- improved compatibility for third party applications and devices
- previous standalone security updates

We downloaded and installed the client version on a G4 Cube upgraded with a 1-GHz G4 CPU and a 17" 1-GHz PowerBook G4 with no problem. Address Book was updated to v3.1.2, Disk Utility to 10.4.2, Image Capture to v.2.1.0, Mail to v1.3.8, Safari to 1.2.2 and Stickies to v3.0. Our QuickTime was at v6.5.1 and was not updated further.

We've not run into any problems with Mail or Safari, the only two updated applications that we've used extensively. Nor have we run into any "under the hood" problems with sleep or using AirPort or built-in ethernet networking.

We'll run our speed tests on 10.3.4 this weekend and post the results no later than next Tuesday.