Once developers start using GCD for their applications, you'll start noticing significant improvements in performance.
Shoot, I already noticed the difference on my 2.5 yr old Mac Pro (1.1). First boot on 10.6 and I was like "wow, feels like a new machine again". All of the bundled apps have been recompiled (64 bit) and cleaned up (and apparently take advantage of GCD everywhere possible). I really didn't think I would see that much of a difference with 10.6 and really only upgraded because I could for $29 (I mean at that price, why not right?) I am very happy with my $29 purchase thus far. I've only had to work through a couple app incompatibilities (and as I have been able to work around them just fine, I am happy.) This is of course just my experience thus far with 10.6. I have no hard benchmark numbers for you. But I noticed right away the smoothness it brought to my older Mac Pro. And it was an easier upgrade than going from 10.4 --> 10.5.
So far I've only had an issue with one program (or rather, a couple versions of the same program) in Snow Leopard. I do 3D renders in DAZ 3D's Carrara Pro 7. The first time I launched it, I had no text in the application. And I mean everywhere. No text on the menus, tabs... you name it. I also had Carrara 6 still on my system, so I launched it - same deal. Appears to be a font issue. So I went searching the DAZ 3D forums for topics about this issue and found a workaround.
Wow... honestly I can't believe the speed boost in everyday things that Snow Leopard gave to my 2.5 yr old Mac Pro today. Seriously, it feels like a new machine again. I bought the upgrade only because it was so cheap pre-ordering it for $29... I really wasn't expecting much of a difference. All of the re-written apps leap on screen the moment I've clicked on the dock I swear. Of course, they did not re-write iTunes, so it's still slow to load up (ok slow for this machine... not really that s
If A = B and B = C, then A = C, except where void or prohibited by law. -- Roy Santoro