Snow Leopard pre-orders top Amazon software chart

by Stevie Smith - Aug 4 2009, 16:00

Expected to hit retail outlets ahead of Microsoft’s upcoming Windows 7 operating system, Apple’s new and speedy 64-bit Mac platform is generating plenty of expectant buzz of its own after securing the top two spots on Amazon’s software chart.

More pointedly, Mac OS X 10.6 (which is also known as ‘Snow Leopard’) was this week handed twin positions of prominence on Amazon’s chart as surging pre-orders placed the single-user version on top spot with the family oriented five-user version following close behind in second.

The arrival of Mac OS X 10.6 isn’t likely to upset Microsoft’s pre-installed PC dominance where Windows is concerned, but consumer interest in Apple’s revamped OS is being bolstered by a single-user price of just $29 USD and a paltry multi-user price of $49 USD. Apple’s prior operating systems have been priced at around $129 USD.

Although the single and multi-license editions are presently hogging the heights of Amazon’s software chart, Apple is also offering a Mac OS X 10.6 bundle package including iWork and iLife ($169 USD for a single user, $229 USD for five users), and also a server edition that will be priced at around $499 USD.

Mac OS X 10.6 is expected to receive its official launch this coming September, which will give it around a four-week jump on Windows 7. Those Mac owners keen to make the OS transition should be aware that Mac OS X 10.6 will only function on systems supported by compatible Intel processors.

Other software heavyweights presently riding high on Amazon’s chart include Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007 in third, Microsoft Office 2008 for Mac Home & Student Edition in fourth, and Norton 360 3.0 (1 User/3 PCs) in fifth.

The ten top performers are rounded out (in order) by Adobe Photoshop Elements 7, QuickBooks Pro 2009, Norton Internet Security 2009 (1 User/3 PCs), Adobe Photoshop Elements 6 (Mac), and Norton Antivirus 2009.

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