is SL like a Windows service pack or an upgrade?

[btownguy]

I'm new to the Mac world and will be getting Snow Leopard in September. Is this upgrade more comparable to a Windows service pack, or is it like a new version of Windows?

 

[richard.mac]

Snow Leopard is a paid upgrade like Vista or Windows 7. Mac OS X's 'point' updates, like the most recent 10.5.7, are stability and security updates and are free updates like service packs, but more regular.

 

[Kebabselector]

Is this upgrade more comparable to a Windows service pack, or is it like a new version of Windows?

Think of it as the sort upgrade that Vista SP1 to Windows 7 is.

Same product, just better (not that Leopard is comparable to Vista)