Apple's latest operating system, OSX Leopard, has just launched amidst a fanfare of publicity. Like Windows Vista, it's a major upgrade to a well loved operating system - but does it have any significant new advantages over the latest Windows? A look at the Apple website's list of key new features suggests that the two systems are more alike than many would like to admit.

• The new version of Finder and Quick Look allow users to quickly preview files before opening them. So far, so useful, but Vista users will know that it, too, includes new and much improved preview tools. None are quite as, well, shiny as Quick Look, but they work well enough.
• Leopard's Time Machine is a system backup tool. Windows XP included System Restore, and Vista includes a plethora of backup tools, including image-based backup in some versions.
• Leopard Mail has a new range of email stationary. Whether you like or loathe HTML email it's been around for some time, and is present in Vista's Windows Mail.
• Leopard's iChat video chat software allows video conferencing and AIM integration, rather like older versions. There is no real equivalent in Vista - to get something similar users need to install Live! Messenger.
• Leopard's Spaces multi-desktop system is a similar story - Linux users will know that it's hardly a new or unique feature, but there's nothing equivalent in Vista.
• The Safari web browser is also available for Windows. Vista users get IE7 by default, and like Mac users can choose to install Firefox if they wish.
• Parental Controls are also a key new feature in Vista.
• And finally - Bootcamp. Vista users will be reassured to know that they, too, can choose to run Windows.

So - nice video chat application and multi-desktop interface aside, the new features in Leopard aren't a million miles from those in Vista. Of course, having a feature is not the same as making a feature worth using, or easier to use than similar rivals - look out for Computeractive's verdict on Leopard any day now - but it's interesting to see two of the largest operating systems clearly moving in the same direction, and towards a number of features (parental controls, previews, backup) that are obviously useful for many people.

Personally I'm equally happy using OSX as I am with Windows, and I can't see the latest products from either Microsoft or Apple dragging me off the fence and into either camp of fans - but what do you think? Is Leopard tempting you away from Windows, or do you think it's simply (horrible, tortured metaphor warning) an attempt to teach an old cat new tricks?