According to a recent report [1], Apple Inc. will release its next-generation operating system Mac OS X Leopard earlier than expected.

The report cites sources claiming the development of Leopard has progressed faster than expected. As a result, Apple will be ready to strike against Microsoft's Vista as soon as on late March.

So far, Apple's hasn't been very precise on the exact timing of Leopard's release. The company only stated the very anticipated operating system would be available for this Spring.

The release of iWork '07 and iLife '07 are also pending as the company did not announce them during MacWorld SF 2007. They are now expected to be released alongside Leopard.