The first test results...after the software OS X 10.6.5 update...
a vast improved Aperture 3

These are only my initial findings after installing the OS X 10.6.5 software update using a 15 inch i7 MacBook Pro with 6 Gig of Ram and the Automatic graphics switching turned off in the energy panel.

1. Exported 106 high res. images as JPEG originals including watermarks, in about three (3) plus minutes.

2. Switching between Browser, Split View and Viewer, very nice now.

3. Toggling back and forth to full screen and at the same time editing multiple images in full screen mode is a huge improvement.

4. Using the retouch tool, nice increase in performance, also a lot less lag time. Very cool now.

5. Switching between Libraries and loading time has improved a lot.

6. Using the Lupe; focus on cursor in the Browser mode is now much more liquid.

There you have it, I am sure I find a lot more improvements down the road, but these are my first findings as far Aperture 3 is concerned, so if you have not updated to OS X 10.6.5 yet, then you better do it asap it is in my opinion one of the best OS X software updates for Aperture. I will also check on the improvements in the new iPhoto from iLife '11 later.
GD

• Performance increase of some image-processing

• operations in iPhoto and Aperture.

• improve reliability with Microsoft Exchange servers
• address performance of some image-processing operations in iPhoto
• and Aperture
• address stability and performance of graphics applications and games
• resolve a delay between print jobs
• address a printing issue for some HP printers connected to an AirPort Extreme
• resolve an issue when dragging contacts from Address Book to iCal
• address an issue where dragging an item from a stack causes the Dock to not automatically hide
• resolve an issue with Wikipedia information not displaying correctly in Dictionary
• improve performance of MainStage on certain Mac systems
• resolve spacing issues with OpenType fonts
• improve reliability with some Bluetooth braille displays
• resolve a VoiceOver issue when browsing some web sites with Safari 5

• Performance when opening large libraries
• Performance when exporting heavily-adjusted images
• Importing iPhoto Libraries
• Relinking to referenced images after importing an iPhoto Library
• Importing photos and videos from iPhone or iPad
• Upgrading libraries with images containing Spot & Patch adjustments
• Duplicate detection of audio and video files
• Face detection on RAW+JPEG pairs
• Rendering of thumbnails used in Faces view
• Rendering of images scaled to below 100% in Viewer
• Image quality on straightened images
• Applying Red Eye correction
• Rendering thumbnails when reprocessing masters
• Searching libraries containing a large number of keywords
• Applying photos to GPS track paths
• Export of GPS data when using Export Metadata command
• Handling of color profiles in Print dialog when using Loupe
• Applying and removing slideshow Photo Effects
• Slideshows containing video clips
• Tethered capture
• Library database reliability
• Library repair
• Updating vaults

Composite Image: © Gunther Deichmann - Speed and much more efficient...
running Aperture 2.1.4 on Snow Leopard...a cool New Cat!

1. Opening Aperture, much faster now with Snow Leopard

2. Going to full screen mode, no more delay, it is instantly

3.Selecting multiple images in editing mode and then going to full screen, very fast now.

4. Retouch Tools & Spot Patch Tools have improved by 100% almost no more delay when retouching using clone or repair tools, this is a very big improvement.

5. Opening from within Aperture an External editor like Photoshop CS3 is super fast now

6. Opening Mail from within Aperture also super fast improvement by at least X2

7. I exported some 28 high res Raw images in one go as Versions to full jpg size, wow, that went real fast, again a huge improvement.

8. I also experienced the same during import using a fire wire 800 Card reader, nice speed increase.

9.There had been some delays before on some commands in particular the Cloning and Repair but that has disappeared now.

10. I tried also the slide show with some 50 plus Raw images, almost no delay very cool.

11. Edit with: Dodge & Burn, very fast opening with the use of the Tools, super fast on saving and closing.

12. Hitting the Z key (zoom) wow again, it is instant; the bit sluggish Navigation before is now very smooth, the same applies for the Loupe much faster and so much more responsive on all settings.

Aperture 2.1.4 performs very impressive on Snow Leopard, a significant speed increase and overall smooth performance. I think Aperture was ahead of its time and was just waiting for the New Cat…. Snow Leopard is made for Aperture 2.1.4 the perfect combination. Not to mention the increase of disk space after installation of the S.L.very cool. (see my comments from my previous Blog Post)

Run like you never run before… Aperture 2.1.4 is doing just that; everything is just so much more liquid and responsive.
I only used Raw and very large Tiff files, really pushing it, editing has picked up another 100%.
So, if you’re using Aperture 2.1.4 go ahead and install Snow Leopard, find out why I love Aperture even more now, feel and experience the difference.
GD

Please note the above information is based on my personal test only, and I can’t be held liable if you experience different results or performances.