Release appearance
macOS 10.1 Public
Recorded context
About this appearance
The catalog anchors Mac OS X 10.1 to Apple's September 25, 2001 announcement and limited conference-week distribution; broad retail and free store pickup began September 29, bringing major performance, interface, media, networking, peripheral, scripting, and security changes.
- Date
- Sep 25, 2001
- Availability
- available
- Revision
- No
Release notes
What changed
Original editorial synthesis. Linked references appear with the claims they support and in the source ledger.
Public appearance and retail availability
Apple announced the finished 10.1 client upgrade on September 25 at Seybold and dated its companion application announcement the same day. The release announcement says stores would begin broad distribution on September 29; TidBITS reported that Seybold attendees could obtain the free upgrade at Apple's booth during the conference. The existing September 25 Public route is retained with this availability split disclosed.[1][2][3]
What this page records
The 29 structured changes cover performance, Aqua, digital media, cameras, bundled applications, network protocols, printing, graphics, color, audio, scripting, distribution, hardware, and the security corrections Apple places under the initial 10.1 heading.[4][5]
From preview to release
Apple's July preview supplied early interaction detail, but no separate prerelease event is created because the seed contains only Public. Every preview-derived feature used here is independently named by the September shipping announcement.[6][7]
Upgrade distribution
The 10.1 upgrade was too large for Apple's ordinary Software Update delivery at the time and was distributed on CD. Existing owners had paid mail-order and temporary free pickup options; new customers could buy the full retail package.[8][9]
Security boundary
The security inventory is limited to entries Apple lists under Mac OS X 10.1 itself. The October 19 privilege update, Internet Explorer 5.1.1, and 10.1.3 through 10.1.5 belong to later packages and are not inherited.[10]
Client and server boundary
This page covers the desktop client. Apple's separately announced Mac OS X Server 10.1 included server-specific storage, NetBoot, directory, database, web, and streaming changes that do not belong on this route.[11][12]
Naming boundary
The local record carries the retrospective version note “Puma,” but the retained public Apple material calls the product Mac OS X version 10.1. Reader-facing copy uses that period name and does not present the catalog note as launch branding.[13]
Evidence boundary
Source ledger
References
Sources are linked to the claims they support. Publication and access dates are shown when available.
- First Major Upgrade to Mac OS X Hits Stores This Weekend
Apple Newsroom · Apple · 2001-09-25T00:00:00.000Z · September 25 announcement and September 29 availability
- More than 1,400 Third-Party Applications Now Available for Mac OS X v10.1
Apple Newsroom · Apple · 2001-09-25T00:00:00.000Z · September 25 finished-release context
- Free Mac OS X 10.1 Upgrade Available 29-Sep-01
TidBITS · TidBITS Staff · 2001-09-26T00:00:00.000Z · Seybold booth distribution and September 29
- Apple security updates (August, 2003 and earlier)
Apple Support · Apple · 2026-07-30 · Mac OS X 10.1 security entry
- First Major Upgrade to Mac OS X Hits Stores This Weekend
Apple Newsroom · Apple · 2001-09-25T00:00:00.000Z · Public release feature inventory
- Apple Previews Next Version of Mac OS X
Apple Newsroom · Apple · 2001-07-18T00:00:00.000Z · July preview
- First Major Upgrade to Mac OS X Hits Stores This Weekend
Apple Newsroom · Apple · 2001-09-25T00:00:00.000Z · September final feature confirmation
- Free Mac OS X 10.1 Upgrade Available 29-Sep-01
TidBITS · TidBITS Staff · 2001-09-26T00:00:00.000Z · CD-only distribution explanation
- First Major Upgrade to Mac OS X Hits Stores This Weekend
Apple Newsroom · Apple · 2001-09-25T00:00:00.000Z · Upgrade package contents and pricing
- Apple security updates (August, 2003 and earlier)
Apple Support · Apple · 2026-07-30 · Mac OS X 10.1 and adjacent later security headings
- First Major Upgrade to Mac OS X Hits Stores This Weekend
Apple Newsroom · Apple · 2001-09-25T00:00:00.000Z · Client product scope
- Major Mac OS X Server v10.1 Update Now Available
Apple Newsroom · Apple · 2001-09-25T00:00:00.000Z · Separate Server 10.1 availability and server-only feature inventory
- First Major Upgrade to Mac OS X Hits Stores This Weekend
Apple Newsroom · Apple · 2001-09-25T00:00:00.000Z · Period product naming
- First Major Upgrade to Mac OS X Hits Stores This Weekend
Apple Newsroom · Apple · 2001-09-25T00:00:00.000Z · Apple performance testing
- More than 1,400 Third-Party Applications Now Available for Mac OS X v10.1
Apple Newsroom · Apple · 2001-09-25T00:00:00.000Z · Application and partner statements
- Apple Previews Next Version of Mac OS X
Apple Newsroom · Apple · 2001-07-18T00:00:00.000Z · 3D graphics feature
- First Major Upgrade to Mac OS X Hits Stores This Weekend
Apple Newsroom · Apple · 2001-09-25T00:00:00.000Z · Additional features; AppleScript and internet scripting
- First Major Upgrade to Mac OS X Hits Stores This Weekend
Apple Newsroom · Apple · 2001-09-25T00:00:00.000Z · Additional features; audio architecture
- First Major Upgrade to Mac OS X Hits Stores This Weekend
Apple Newsroom · Apple · 2001-09-25T00:00:00.000Z · Additional features; ColorSync 4.0
- First Major Upgrade to Mac OS X Hits Stores This Weekend
Apple Newsroom · Apple · 2001-09-25T00:00:00.000Z · Additional features; iDisk
- First Major Upgrade to Mac OS X Hits Stores This Weekend
Apple Newsroom · Apple · 2001-09-25T00:00:00.000Z · Additional features; OpenGL
- First Major Upgrade to Mac OS X Hits Stores This Weekend
Apple Newsroom · Apple · 2001-09-25T00:00:00.000Z · Additional features; printing
- Apple Previews Next Version of Mac OS X
Apple Newsroom · Apple · 2001-07-18T00:00:00.000Z · AppleScript, SOAP, and XML feature
- First Major Upgrade to Mac OS X Hits Stores This Weekend
Apple Newsroom · Apple · 2001-09-25T00:00:00.000Z · Aqua interface paragraph
- Apple Previews Next Version of Mac OS X
Apple Newsroom · Apple · 2001-07-18T00:00:00.000Z · Availability & Requirements
- Free Mac OS X 10.1 Upgrade Available 29-Sep-01
TidBITS · TidBITS Staff · 2001-09-26T00:00:00.000Z · Contemporaneous distribution detail
- Apple Previews Next Version of Mac OS X
Apple Newsroom · Apple · 2001-07-18T00:00:00.000Z · Digital Hub and Finder burning descriptions
- First Major Upgrade to Mac OS X Hits Stores This Weekend
Apple Newsroom · Apple · 2001-09-25T00:00:00.000Z · Digital Hub paragraph and DVD-R feature
- First Major Upgrade to Mac OS X Hits Stores This Weekend
Apple Newsroom · Apple · 2001-09-25T00:00:00.000Z · DVD Player feature and Digital Hub paragraph
- Apple Previews Next Version of Mac OS X
Apple Newsroom · Apple · 2001-07-18T00:00:00.000Z · Enhanced Aqua interface paragraph
- Apple Previews Next Version of Mac OS X
Apple Newsroom · Apple · 2001-07-18T00:00:00.000Z · iDisk feature
- First Major Upgrade to Mac OS X Hits Stores This Weekend
Apple Newsroom · Apple · 2001-09-25T00:00:00.000Z · Image Capture and bundled applications paragraph
- First Major Upgrade to Mac OS X Hits Stores This Weekend
Apple Newsroom · Apple · 2001-09-25T00:00:00.000Z · Image Capture paragraph
- Apple security updates (August, 2003 and earlier)
Apple Support · Apple · 2026-07-30 · Initial 10.1 security content
- Apple security updates (August, 2003 and earlier)
Apple Support · Apple · 2026-07-30 · Mac OS X 10.1; crontab
- Apple security updates (August, 2003 and earlier)
Apple Support · Apple · 2026-07-30 · Mac OS X 10.1; fetchmail
- Apple security updates (August, 2003 and earlier)
Apple Support · Apple · 2026-07-30 · Mac OS X 10.1; ipfw
- Apple security updates (August, 2003 and earlier)
Apple Support · Apple · 2026-07-30 · Mac OS X 10.1; java
- Apple security updates (August, 2003 and earlier)
Apple Support · Apple · 2026-07-30 · Mac OS X 10.1; open() syscall
- Apple security updates (August, 2003 and earlier)
Apple Support · Apple · 2026-07-30 · Mac OS X 10.1; OpenSSL
- Apple security updates (August, 2003 and earlier)
Apple Support · Apple · 2026-07-30 · Mac OS X 10.1; procmail
- Apple security updates (August, 2003 and earlier)
Apple Support · Apple · 2026-07-30 · Mac OS X 10.1; rwhod
- Apple security updates (August, 2003 and earlier)
Apple Support · Apple · 2026-07-30 · Mac OS X 10.1; setlocale() string overflow
- Apple security updates (August, 2003 and earlier)
Apple Support · Apple · 2026-07-30 · Mac OS X 10.1; sort
- Apple security updates (August, 2003 and earlier)
Apple Support · Apple · 2026-07-30 · Mac OS X 10.1; system clipboard / J2SE
- Apple security updates (August, 2003 and earlier)
Apple Support · Apple · 2026-07-30 · Mac OS X 10.1; TCP Initial Sequence Numbers
- Apple security updates (August, 2003 and earlier)
Apple Support · Apple · 2026-07-30 · Mac OS X 10.1; tcpdump
- Apple security updates (August, 2003 and earlier)
Apple Support · Apple · 2026-07-30 · Mac OS X 10.1; tcsh operator
- Apple security updates (August, 2003 and earlier)
Apple Support · Apple · 2026-07-30 · Mac OS X 10.1; telnetd
- Apple security updates (August, 2003 and earlier)
Apple Support · Apple · 2026-07-30 · Mac OS X 10.1; timed
- Apple Previews Next Version of Mac OS X
Apple Newsroom · Apple · 2001-07-18T00:00:00.000Z · Network integration feature
- First Major Upgrade to Mac OS X Hits Stores This Weekend
Apple Newsroom · Apple · 2001-09-25T00:00:00.000Z · Network protocol paragraph
- More than 1,400 Third-Party Applications Now Available for Mac OS X v10.1
Apple Newsroom · Apple · 2001-09-25T00:00:00.000Z · Nikon and Canon camera-support statements
- Apple Previews Next Version of Mac OS X
Apple Newsroom · Apple · 2001-07-18T00:00:00.000Z · Performance paragraphs
- First Major Upgrade to Mac OS X Hits Stores This Weekend
Apple Newsroom · Apple · 2001-09-25T00:00:00.000Z · Pricing & Availability
- Major Mac OS X Server v10.1 Update Now Available
Apple Newsroom · Apple · 2001-09-25T00:00:00.000Z · Separate Server 10.1 boundary
- Free Mac OS X 10.1 Upgrade Available 29-Sep-01
TidBITS · TidBITS Staff · 2001-09-26T00:00:00.000Z · September 29 CD distribution paths
- More than 1,400 Third-Party Applications Now Available for Mac OS X v10.1
Apple Newsroom · Apple · 2001-09-25T00:00:00.000Z · September application ecosystem
- First Major Upgrade to Mac OS X Hits Stores This Weekend
Apple Newsroom · Apple · 2001-09-25T00:00:00.000Z · September client announcement
- First Major Upgrade to Mac OS X Hits Stores This Weekend
Apple Newsroom · Apple · 2001-09-25T00:00:00.000Z · System requirements
- First Major Upgrade to Mac OS X Hits Stores This Weekend
Apple Newsroom · Apple · 2001-09-25T00:00:00.000Z · System status and file-extension paragraph
- First Major Upgrade to Mac OS X Hits Stores This Weekend
Apple Newsroom · Apple · 2001-09-25T00:00:00.000Z · System status icons paragraph
- First Major Upgrade to Mac OS X Hits Stores This Weekend
Apple Newsroom · Apple · 2001-09-25T00:00:00.000Z · Systemwide performance paragraph
- First Major Upgrade to Mac OS X Hits Stores This Weekend
Apple Newsroom · Apple · 2001-09-25T00:00:00.000Z · Windows network paragraph
Release changes
Changed in this release
Features, fixes, removals, and regressions first observed in this release record.
developerApi · introduced
Revised high-resolution audio architecture
Apple documented these capabilities as an operating-system audio foundation rather than a guarantee that every application or device used the maximum format.
- [1] First Major Upgrade to Mac OS X Hits Stores This Weekend · Additional features; audio architecture
security · fixed
Java applet proxy and clipboard isolation
Apple's chronology identifies separate proxy-observation and clipboard-access boundaries under the initial release.
- [1] Apple security updates (August, 2003 and earlier) · Mac OS X 10.1; java
- [2] Apple security updates (August, 2003 and earlier) · Mac OS X 10.1; system clipboard / J2SE
compatibility · changed
Expanded multiprotocol file networking
The protocol set broadened client connectivity across Mac, Windows, Linux, UNIX, AppleShare, and web-based storage environments.
- [1] Apple Previews Next Version of Mac OS X · Network integration feature
- [2] First Major Upgrade to Mac OS X Hits Stores This Weekend · Network protocol paragraph
security · fixed
fetchmail input and memory safety
Apple grouped three upstream fetchmail issues under the initial 10.1 security content; this occurrence keeps them together at their shared component boundary.
- [1] Apple security updates (August, 2003 and earlier) · Mac OS X 10.1; fetchmail
compatibility · introduced
Integrated SMB/CIFS client
Apple presented SMB/CIFS support as the main change making the Mac a direct participant on Windows networks.
- [1] Apple Previews Next Version of Mac OS X · Network integration feature
- [2] First Major Upgrade to Mac OS X Hits Stores This Weekend · Windows network paragraph
security · fixed
crontab local-file disclosure
Apple tied the correction to the FreeBSD crontab advisory and described the attacker boundary as another local user.
- [1] Apple security updates (August, 2003 and earlier) · Mac OS X 10.1; crontab
security · fixed
rwhod and timed denial-of-service handling
Apple described both issues as remote denial-of-service conditions against clients of the affected network daemons.
- [1] Apple security updates (August, 2003 and earlier) · Mac OS X 10.1; rwhod
- [2] Apple security updates (August, 2003 and earlier) · Mac OS X 10.1; timed
developerApi · changed
AppleScript, SOAP, and XML scripting
The update connected desktop automation to web-service technologies while strengthening AppleScript integration across the operating system.
- [1] First Major Upgrade to Mac OS X Hits Stores This Weekend · Additional features; AppleScript and internet scripting
- [2] Apple Previews Next Version of Mac OS X · AppleScript, SOAP, and XML feature
security · fixed
open() system-call authorization
The documented boundary is local cross-user access rather than remote code execution.
- [1] Apple security updates (August, 2003 and earlier) · Mac OS X 10.1; open() syscall
feature · introduced
Built-in DVD movie playback
Apple scoped playback to systems with a DVD-ROM drive and AGP graphics and described a simplified player interface.
- [1] First Major Upgrade to Mac OS X Hits Stores This Weekend · DVD Player feature and Digital Hub paragraph
enhancement · changed
WebDAV-based iDisk
Apple described the revision as more efficient and better able to remain connected from school, business, and corporate-firewall environments.
- [1] First Major Upgrade to Mac OS X Hits Stores This Weekend · Additional features; iDisk
- [2] Apple Previews Next Version of Mac OS X · iDisk feature
enhancement · changed
Systemwide performance work
Apple reported applications launching two to three times faster, menus and window resizing up to five times faster, and file copies up to twice as fast in its own testing. Those multipliers remain explicitly vendor-reported rather than independent benchmarks.
- [1] Apple Previews Next Version of Mac OS X · Performance paragraphs
- [2] First Major Upgrade to Mac OS X Hits Stores This Weekend · Systemwide performance paragraph
feature · introduced
Finder CD and DVD data burning
The public release brought optical-data writing into Finder. DVD-R support remained hardware-dependent; music-CD support was associated with iTunes.
- [1] Apple Previews Next Version of Mac OS X · Digital Hub and Finder burning descriptions
- [2] First Major Upgrade to Mac OS X Hits Stores This Weekend · Digital Hub paragraph and DVD-R feature
behavior · introduced
Automatic file-extension management
Apple described the feature as automated file-extension management across common file workflows without publishing a format-by-format behavior table.
- [1] First Major Upgrade to Mac OS X Hits Stores This Weekend · System status and file-extension paragraph
enhancement · changed
iTunes and iMovie included in installation
The packaging change made Apple's music-management and movie-editing applications part of the standard installation path.
- [1] First Major Upgrade to Mac OS X Hits Stores This Weekend · Image Capture and bundled applications paragraph
enhancement · changed
Updated OpenGL and GeForce3 support
The change revised the system's 3D software path and explicitly supported the then-current GeForce3 hardware.
- [1] Apple Previews Next Version of Mac OS X · 3D graphics feature
- [2] First Major Upgrade to Mac OS X Hits Stores This Weekend · Additional features; OpenGL
security · fixed
OpenSSL 0.9.6b security maintenance
Apple's retained chronology confirms the updated version but does not enumerate the individual OpenSSL issues on the page, so this occurrence stays at package level.
- [1] Apple security updates (August, 2003 and earlier) · Mac OS X 10.1; OpenSSL
feature · introduced
Menu-bar system status controls
The new status items provided quicker access to frequently used system settings and live connection or power information.
- [1] Apple Previews Next Version of Mac OS X · Enhanced Aqua interface paragraph
- [2] First Major Upgrade to Mac OS X Hits Stores This Weekend · System status icons paragraph
enhancement · changed
ColorSync 4.0
The update advanced the system color-management layer for publishing and imaging workflows.
- [1] First Major Upgrade to Mac OS X Hits Stores This Weekend · Additional features; ColorSync 4.0
compatibility · changed
Free and paid CD upgrade paths
The September 25 announcement scheduled broad store availability for September 29. Existing owners could obtain a $19.95 shipped kit or, while supplies lasted, a free retail kit through October 31; the full US retail product remained $129.
- [1] First Major Upgrade to Mac OS X Hits Stores This Weekend · Pricing & Availability
- [2] Free Mac OS X 10.1 Upgrade Available 29-Sep-01 · September 29 CD distribution paths
enhancement · changed
Movable Dock
The update responded to a frequently requested customization by allowing the Dock to move from the bottom edge to either side of the screen.
- [1] First Major Upgrade to Mac OS X Hits Stores This Weekend · Aqua interface paragraph
- [2] Apple Previews Next Version of Mac OS X · Enhanced Aqua interface paragraph
security · fixed
setlocale, sort, and tcsh utility safety
Apple's chronology describes potential exploitation through setlocale string overflows, disruption of administration tools through sort, and an unprivileged-user overwrite condition in tcsh. The shell operator is not repeated because the retained entry's title and explanation use inconsistent notation.
- [1] Apple security updates (August, 2003 and earlier) · Mac OS X 10.1; setlocale() string overflow
- [2] Apple security updates (August, 2003 and earlier) · Mac OS X 10.1; sort
- [3] Apple security updates (August, 2003 and earlier) · Mac OS X 10.1; tcsh operator
feature · introduced
Image Capture
The bundled application automated camera photo downloads, while Apple separately described broader out-of-box support for consumer camera models.
- [1] First Major Upgrade to Mac OS X Hits Stores This Weekend · Image Capture paragraph
- [2] More than 1,400 Third-Party Applications Now Available for Mac OS X v10.1 · Nikon and Canon camera-support statements
security · fixed
procmail signal handling
Apple identifies the upstream advisory and the component boundary without making a broader Mail application claim.
- [1] Apple security updates (August, 2003 and earlier) · Mac OS X 10.1; procmail
security · fixed
tcpdump packet-input safety
Apple described a remote packet source affecting the local capture process and preserved possible code execution as a qualified outcome.
- [1] Apple security updates (August, 2003 and earlier) · Mac OS X 10.1; tcpdump
compatibility · changed
Version 10.1 supported-Mac baseline
Apple named iMac, iBook, Power Macintosh G3, Power Mac G4, Power Mac G4 Cube, and PowerBook models introduced after May 1998.
- [1] Apple Previews Next Version of Mac OS X · Availability & Requirements
- [2] First Major Upgrade to Mac OS X Hits Stores This Weekend · System requirements
compatibility · changed
Expanded printer setup and drivers
The package added drivers from HP, Canon, and Epson plus PPD files for more than 200 PostScript printers from HP, Lexmark, and Xerox.
- [1] First Major Upgrade to Mac OS X Hits Stores This Weekend · Additional features; printing
security · fixed
telnetd remote code execution
The occurrence preserves the service-account privilege boundary stated by Apple and does not imply the service was enabled by default.
- [1] Apple security updates (August, 2003 and earlier) · Mac OS X 10.1; telnetd
security · fixed
Firewall and TCP sequence hardening
The two network-stack corrections addressed a remotely constructed firewall attack condition and insufficient randomness in connection sequence numbers.
- [1] Apple security updates (August, 2003 and earlier) · Mac OS X 10.1; ipfw
- [2] Apple security updates (August, 2003 and earlier) · Mac OS X 10.1; TCP Initial Sequence Numbers