Apple has released Mac OS X 10.3.4, the latest Panther update.

The new release is available as a 39.5MB standalone download from Apple's web site, or via the operating system's Software Update System Preferences panel.

Apple is also offering a 79MB combination update for folk who have yet to upgrade Panther from 10.3 to any of the intervening updates: 10.3.2 and 10.3.3.

Mac OS X Server users can download their version of the update here. Again, there's a combination update here. The two weigh in at 44.7MB and 102MB, respectively.

Components of the client edition include a raft of fixes for OS X's Mail and Address Book apps; some network tweaks; improved iPod, camera and Bluetooth handset connectivity; a variety of printing and faxing enhancements; and some Finder fixes.

The update also new OpenGL drivers for Nvidia and ATI graphics chips.

You can find a more detail list of fixes here.

Contrary to the documentation, 10.3.4 does not appear to include Apple's most recent security updates, and we would very thoroughly recommend a trip to Apple's support site to download this fix, which patches a rather nasty vulnerability.

Early reports suggest only minor problems induced by the update. Almost certainly these relate to specific users' configurations rather than 10.3.4 per se. We experienced a glitch with Safari after the update, but running Mac OS X's Disk Utility and choosing the Repair Permissions option fixed the problem. We'd recommend everyone follows the same procedure after updating, whether they notice oddities or not. ®

Related stories

Apple patches critical Mac OS X hole
Apple posts major iTunes upgrade
Apple to slow annual OS X update rate
MS ships Mac Office 2004
Apple Euro music licence win signals mid-June launch?