Snow Leopard vs Windows 7: How the Apple has fallen

Traditionally, Mac operating systems have had no business in the workplace. Apple has gone some way to turning this around however, by allowing Snow Leopard to connect directly with Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 -- a feature not present in Windows PCs that lack Microsoft Office. 

As a result, Mac users can use Mail, iCal and Address Book as credible alternatives to Microsoft Outlook. Within these applications, it's possible to send and receive email using your enterprise server, create meetings and appointments, and do all the 'serious' stuff Windows users take for granted.

There are problems, however. Snow Leopard machines will not synchronise with older 2000 and 2003 versions of Exchange Server, which despite sounding elderly are still being used by many large companies. Before taking the plunge, you'll need to check with your company whether your newfangled Apple OS will function on the network.

Even if your company is running the correct version of Exchange, that's no guarantee of plain sailing. Your IT support team may balk at your request to use a Mac, because Microsoft is still the de facto standard. Most businesses will have standardised their operation around Windows, Office and Sharepoint, and will have an array of Microsoft-flavoured IT and management tools for deploying updates to hardware and software.

The bottom line is if your IT dude wants to roll out a new piece of software that allows him to better monitor network traffic or spy on your IM conversations more effectively, he won't be too happy to find out you're using Snow Leopard.

Mac or PC: Now, when you see someone using a Mac in the office, there's a good chance they're doing some real work, instead of some artsy, creative nonsense. But that's nowhere near enough to topple Windows 7 in this area.