Customer Reviews

Apple Mac OS X Version 10.5 Leopard Server [10-Client License]

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

When Leopard Server was first released, it certainly had some bugs. But any IT person worth their pay knows that you never install the first version of an Server OS after release.

Now that we are up to version 10.5.2, I feel like it's ready to shine.

The new Basic Install is great for those who are not really the IT person, but was put in charge of managing the server. The "On/Off" switches really make it easy to get services up and running.

My favorite thing about Advanced is the ability to see so many stats on how the server is doing under heavy loads.

And of course the best thing about a Mac OS X Server is the licensing. When compared to the costs of Windows server software, it's no comparison.

Not sure about some of the negative reviews of this product... I hate to say it, but I feel like the bad reviews are coming from people that do not know what they are doing in regards to setting up a server. This is a much improved implementation of server software over 10.4. Clean interface and very easy to use assuming you understand DNS, OD, WGM, and so on. As a Macintosh Consultant I have installed and setup several servers running 10.5 and they have all ran very smooth with very minimal downtime.

I admit I was duped into thinking this would be like Leopard desktop. The cold reality is that, from a server point of view, it's just Unix (FreeBSD) and other open source underneath. This is a good thing. The problem is that the pretty GUI tools just don't work. And when they don't, or if you just want to configure something a little more or a little different than what Apple gives you, you are up a creek. That is because Apple "extends" all the pieces, and they fight each other if you try to do something "under the table". In fact, I found it takes much longer to isolate/fix/configure something than if it was just straight Unix. It's pretty, but it's not worth it. Apple makes great hardware and a great desktop OS, but pass on this server version. The pretty tools are just aggravating.

I love apple. I love Leopard as a desktop OS. I love Apple's server software.

I HATE Leopard Server 10.5 - at least as it stands now. IT IS BUGGY AND UNSTABLE. YOU WILL REGRET IT!!!

I have a Quad Xeon Xserve that was running a stable install of 10.4.11 server. I upgraded to 10.5 and that's when the nightmare began. My first two installs failed and destroyed my HD data in the process (ALWAYS WORK ON A CLONE COPY OF YOUR PRIMARY DRIVE). The next one "worked" but the resultant server was all but unusable, sites didn't migrate, MySQL wouldn't run, etc.

After hours spent combing Apple's tech support forums I wiped the disk clean and reinstalled based on what I'd learned. It seemed to work about 90%. MySQL was running, I had to migrate my sites by hand, iCal server & Wiki's did NOT work, but it seemed like a decent start. Then 48 hours in the whole thing went haywire, SMTP failed and could not be revived, the system logs kept rolling over every 5 minutes, etc. I was dead in the water for no apparent reason.

I rebooted into 10.4.11 and consulted a Unix Guru (Pterobyte, for those that know him) and he told me he'd worked on several Leopard installs - they typically needed 2-4 hours of work (at $225/hr) and even then he recommended against using Leopard because it was too buggy & unstable.

So I am running 10.4.11 Server, have lost about three solid days of time, gave up a bunch of sleep, and ended up returning the software to Amazon for a refund.

SAVE YOURSELF THE TROUBLE. STICK WITH TIGER (10.4) SERVER UNTIL THE BUGS IN LEOPARD (10.5) ARE FIXED. THE APPLE FORUMS ARE FILLED WITH ISSUES, BUGS AND UNHAPPY USERS.

You're warned, be smart. If you business depends on your server (like mine) don't run the risk. At a minimum do NOT "upgrade" from 10.4 to 10.5 - do a clean install & migrate your data over. Or better yet, wait a few months until 10.5.2 is released.

The seller has amazing customer service and was very helpful with my order. Thank you soooo much!!!! =)
I recommend him 100%!

This is a server version that seems to be plagued with problems. After my third install, following instructions and the Apple forums to the letter, I'm still having countless issues. My AFP shares vanish, often several times a day. My calendar sharing doesn't work at all how it's supposed to. I have trouble believing Apple sold me this piece of crap for $500! I'm almost always 100% satisfied with Apple, and now this.

It really is the worst part of my day. I don't want to be an I.T. guy or I would have just gotten Linux. For free. On much cheaper hardware. But here I am, stuck with this lemon of a purchase. Very, very disappointed.

The only positive review on this product isn't FOR THIS product. No one installs server software on a laptop..... I've only talked to one person running 10.5 server with something positive to say. Any one else want to pipe up?

This OS comes loaded with new features. It made my old Powerbook G4 run slightly slower, but I am yet to install it on my Macbook Pro. The only problem I've had is my documents got moved from my documents folder to my applications folder, but that took all but 5 minutes to correct. This is an excellent operating system. WELL WORTH THE MONEY!!!

Best mac os to date. Installed flawlessly and I have had no issues to date. MacBook Pro intel initial version.