1. Apple’s track record for OS X Golden Masters

    With OS X, Apple has set precedent to make the case that the Golden Master is almost always, the shipping ‘retail’ build. Here’s proof.

    • OS X Leopard (10.5)

    GM Build: 9A581 (16/10/2007) MacRumors

    Retail Build: 9A581 (26/10/2007) Wikipedia

    • OS X Snow Leopard (10.6)

    GM Build: 10A432 (12/08/2009) AppleInsider

    Retail Build: 10A432 (28/08/2009) ZDNet

    • OS X Lion (10.7)

    GM Build: 11A511 (01/07/2011) MacRumors

    Retail Build: 11A511 (20/07/2011) Wikipedia

    iOS is a different story (4.2 GM famously became 4.2.1 GM after just a few days).