ROUND 1: PICTURE PERFECT
SNOW LEOPARD: In an online world where first impressions count, Snow Leopard captures the attention of North American teens and viewers who spend 7+ hours a week online. Apple released the latest Mac OS X in August and while it doesn’t look drastically different from its predecessor, Snow Leopard shines with polished icons and a streamlined interface that makes many eyes linger on the screen.
WINDOWS 7: The same cannot be said for Windows 7. Microsofts latest OS brings an improved interface, but it strives to mirror a Mac look without fully matching it. That approach creates a conflicted impression that leaves some users unsure which path to take.
Snow Leopards good looks shake Windows 7s confidence. Apple takes Round 1!
SCORE: SNOW LEOPARD – 1
WINDOWS 7- 0
ROUND 2: FEATURES FIGHT
SNOW LEOPARD: Snow Leopard emphasizes efficiency over flashy new features. It still carries the familiar Mac essentials like Spaces for switching between desktops, Stacks to fan out files for quick access, and Finder with Cover Flow that power users rely on for faster navigation. Canadian and American users appreciate these touches for smoother workflows and less clutter during busy days.
WINDOWS 7: Windows 7 brings a broader feature set, including the Aero Snap function that lets users compare two windows side by side by dragging to the edge of the screen. It also can turn a static wallpaper into a rotating slideshow and lets you pin apps to a refreshed taskbar for quick access throughout the day.
More features = more fun. Windows 7 takes a bite out of Apple to score its first point!
SCORE: SNOW LEOPARD – 1
WINDOWS 7 – 1
ROUND 3: NEED FOR SPEED
SNOW LEOPARD: Apple’s OS is not just named Snow Leopard; it runs like one too. Independent testing on capable hardware shows Snow Leopard handling routine tasks faster on a MacBook Pro, delivering quicker boot and shutdown times, and it generally consumes less battery compared with its Windows counterpart. This translates into longer laptop uptime for many users in North America.
WINDOWS 7: The speed of Windows 7 depends on hardware. With comparable graphics cards and processors, Windows 7 often trails Snow Leopard in boot times and everyday responsiveness. While benchmarks vary and testing environments differ, the edge in many scenarios still seems to favor Snow Leopard.
Snow Leopard gives “paws” to Windows 7. Leopard leaps ahead another point!
SCORE: SNOW LEOPARD – 2
WINDOWS 7- 1
ROUND 4: SALES SUCCESS
SNOW LEOPARD: In October 2009, months after its launch, Snow Leopard accounted for about 1.17% of global market share. The figure reflects a loyal yet modest footprint in the worldwide audience and a steady pace of adoption among Mac users who valued stability and performance improvements.
WINDOWS 7: By contrast, Windows 7 rapidly attracted attention. Within two weeks of release, about 2.15% of global computer users were on Windows 7, a clear early sign of strong demand and broad hardware compatibility that helped it surpass Snow Leopard in user reach.
Snow Leopard is still an endangered species. Windows wins Round 4 to tie the score!
SCORE: SNOW LEOPARD – 2
WINDOWS 7- 2
ROUND 5: PRICE POINT
SNOW LEOPARD: In a recovering economy, value matters. It costs Canadians CAD 34.99 to upgrade from Max OS X Leopard to Snow Leopard, a price that many consumers considered a sensible balance of performance gains and cost.
WINDOWS 7: The upgrade from Windows Vista to Windows 7 carried CAD 129.99. Given the number of glitches reported in its predecessor, some buyers wished the price reflected a better launch experience rather than a higher ticket.
At almost four times the cost of Snow Leopard, Windows 7 breaks the bank, losing the game and match.
SCORE: SNOW LEOPARD – 3
WINDOWS 7- 2
ROUND UP: If someone wants more out of their computer for less, there is an option, but it is not Windows 7. Microsofts master OS brings a long list of new features, yet Apples upgrade looks cooler, runs faster, and costs less. Snow Leopard remains an attractive choice for North American users who want reliable speed, efficiency, and value in one package.
Citations: Apple press materials and independent performance tests from industry outlets cited in historical comparisons.
Web Links:
apple/macosx
windows7