The sixth major update to Mac OS X, 'Leopard', is scheduled to start shipping through Apple retail stores, Apple Authorized Resellers, and the Apple online store beginning 6pm on Friday, October 26th.

Besides, people can start pre-ordering 'Leopard' from Apple's online store at http://www.apple.com.

The company claims 'Leopard' boasts over 300 new features vis-a-vis its predecessor, 'Tiger'.

For starters, 'Leopard' introduces an all new desktop with a redesigned 3D Dock with Stacks, which is a new way to organize files for quicker and easier access.

An updated Finder includes Cover Flow plus a new sidebar that incorporates a greatly simplified way to search for, browse, and copy content from any PC/Mac on a local network.

There's a new way for users to look inside files without having to launch them called Quick Look.

With Spaces, users get a powerful new way to organize their work by creating customized desktops that would contain only those applications/documents that are needed for a particular project.

With Time Machine, users can easily back-up all of their data on their Macs, find lost files, and even restore all of their software on their Macs.

In 'Leopard', Mail is updated, and features over 30 stationary designs and layouts that look great on Windows PCs and Macs.

iChat is enhanced with iChat Theater, screen sharing, and Photo Booth.

The system includes other new features such as: improved parental controls, complete Boot Camp release that was previously available only as beta, Web Clip, enhanced Dictionary with Wikipedia, newly updated iCal with multi-user calendaring, and an updated version of Front Row, among others.

'Leopard' will be available beginning Oct 26th, and will cost $129 for a single-user license, and $199 for a five-user 'Family Pack' license.

For those who've bought a Mac anytime on or after Oct 1st, they will be entitled to get an upgrade for the cost of shipping, which is $9.95.