Appleis long anticipated Mac OS X 10.5 launch kicked off at 6PM local time on October 26 all across the U.S., and like so many Apple product launches, it began with long lines. The FlatIron Crossing Apple Store in Broomfield, Colorado, was no exception with shoppers lining up over two hours in advance to be among the first to get their hands on Leopard.

The line began to form at 3:30PM with Timm Zahn. He considered purchasing Leopard on line, but didnit want to miss out on buying his copy at the FlatIron Crossing launch event.

First in line.

Mall shoppers gave the people standing in line quizzical looks, and often stopped to ask what everyone was waiting for. The "Leopard," and "Mac OS X 10.5" answers elicited responses ranging from even more quizzical looks to "Thanks for sending Appleis stock up!"

Best way to pass the time in line? Risk.

By 6PM, the line of shoppers waiting to get in the Apple Store was well over 100 people long. The store filled as soon as the doors opened, and the crowds didnit start to taper off until some time after 8PM.

Apple employees hand out water to customers waiting in line.

Apple employees and local Apple consultants showed off Leopardis features to throngs of interested shoppers, and the iChat demo -- complete with an employee in the back of the store to chat online with -- proved to be especially popular.

Apple employees show off Leopard features.

Copies of Leopard were selling pretty much as fast as employees could process the transactions, but customers were interested in more than just Appleis latest operating system. Several Macs went out the door during the event, along with Cinema Displays, iPods, and a whole host of accessories.

The FlatIron Crossing Apple Store filled with Leopard buyers.

Much like the iPhone launch at the end of June, the Leopard launch seemed to go off like a well oiled machine; and if the copies of Leopard going out the door were any indication, the Leopard launch will likely be just as successful.