3 Great OSX screensavers

I have never really been one for screensavers ever since I made the move to the Macintosh platform. Not because I didn’t like the idea. Simply because I just could not find the stock OS X screensavers appealing to me. I just never had the time to look for third-party options.

This weekend, I decided I would embark on an online search for a few insanely great screensavers to install onto my Mac and share with you all. Thanks to Phill Ryu and a few other online sources, I came across three, one of which can bring you into the holiday spirit. The other two can be used all year ’round to give you the ultimate Aqua experience.

3. LotsaSnow
I just love the serenity of snow. Especially at this time of year, a snowflake is so calming and clean as it falls to the ground. Mac OS X is similar in the sense that this operating system is just so clean and easy to use. Put ‘em together and what do they spell? LotsaSnow. This simple screensaver adds drifting snowflakes overlaying your desktop or on a calm background while you are away from your desk. Inside system preferences, you can adjust the color of the background, size of your snow flake, and much more. LotsaSnow is a free, universal download.

2. LotsaWater
When you add a widget to your Dashboard, isn’t it such fun to watch the wave effect as you drop it into place? Ever wish you could get that effect on your desktop? Well, with LotsaWater, you can use that effect to alter your entire desktop area when you step away from your workstation. Now, at first, I wasn’t sure I would like this very much. I thought the idea was a bit ugly, to be honest. But after I tried it out for myself, I fell in love. It’s such a fun thing to watch. I must say though, that as you alter the speed settings, etc. in System Preferences, you will use more and more CPU power. However, the default settings aren’t bad and ran fantastically with my MacBook’s Intel Integrated GMA 950 graphics. LotsaWater is a free, universal download.

1. Fenêtres Volantes
I must say that it is things like Fenêtres Volantes that make me proud to be using the Macintosh platform. After applying this screensaver, watch your 2D desktop drift into a virtual 3D world as your current, open windows float around until you return. This breaktaking screensaver is just too much fun to watch. And with the quick tap of your keyboard or click of your mouse, the windows quickly glide back into place, ready to be used again. Nowhere is it noted by the developer to watch out for the CPU power it takes up. I must say that this ’saver ran amazingly smooth on my Intel Integrated graphics chip and my MacBook stayed cool during it’s operation. Fenêtres Volantes is a free download which worked perfectly on my Intel-based Mac.

So, how about you? Are you proud to be a Mac user yet? I hope you find some use out of these three, great screensavers. Please feel free to add some of your own favorites in the comments. The more the merrier!