If your current operating system is OS X Lion (10.7), you can skip a few versions, and upgrade directly to macOS High Sierra. To upgrade to Sierra from, say, Mavericks, you’ll have to consequently upgrade to Yosemite and then to El Capitan first. Hey guys, I have an older Macbook Pro 17'. My hard drive just failed on it. And I've looked at upgrading to one of the newer macbooks, but I REALLY like having a 17' anti-glare screen. Which they don't make anymore. I don't want to just replace the hard drive, because the processor and ram. I am debating if I want to upgrade my early 2011 MacBook Pro to High Sierra when it is released or leave it running Sierra. It seems to run ok on Sierra now and does pretty much everything I want it to with the exception of still needing a windows laptop to run the weather radar I use when I am out storm chasing, since the radar program only. My MacBook Pro already seemed lightning quick and I didn’t think it would be possible for it to get any faster but it’s definitely quicker and more responsive so far with Sierra. Perhaps I’ll notice the little things and speed etc more than those who’ve come over from El Capitan, as this is the first OS upgrade I’ve done since I.
1. macOS Mojave vs High Sierra: Dark Mode
Before the official release of macOS 10.13 High Sierra, it was rumored that macOS 10.13 might feature Dark Mode, which was highly-anticipated by vast Mac users. Yet, 2017 macOS High Sierra disappointed us. It doesn't bring what we want to us.
Things are different this year. Apple unveils 2018 new version of macOS - macOS Mojave with your desired Dark Mode. Mojave users can switch to Dark Mode to turn the UI to a darkened color scheme, switch the desktop wallpaper to the dark one and make the windows borders & taskbars become darker, as well. Does this new feature have any practical significance? Actually, no. Does it look great? Yes, it looks elegant.
The dark mode in Mojave is also a system-wide feature that darkens your icons and applications, and even changes your background image to fit in with the theme. And dark mode's muted background against images also serves to make Finder's new Gallery view really stand out. There's also a sidebar to display each file's metadata, so you can scroll through your files attractively as well as eidt handy info like size, date created, and last edited if several files look similar from the preview.
2. macOS Mojave vs High Sierra: New Mac Apps
Good news and bad news, which one goes first? Fine, let's get it started with the good one. The good news is that some iOS apps including News, Stocks, Voice Memos and Home are eventually available on Mojave for the first time. You would feel familiar with news app and its articles, images and videos, identical to those on iOS devices. What's better, now you can control your homekit-enabled accessories to do things not only on your iPhone iPad, but also on your macOS 10.14 Mojave based iMac/MacBook/iMac Pro, such as turn on your smart surveillance device, adjust indoor humidity, etc. The bad news is that currently Apple doesn't plan to combine iOS apps with macOS apps. Of course, these new Mac apps start from macOS 10.14 Mojave. If you wanna enjoy these iOS-like apps on your MacBook Pro/Air, iMac or iMac Pro, you're suggested to upgrade to macOS Mojave from High Sierra.
Meanwhile, comparing to High Sierra, 32-bit applications will no longer be able to run in the Mojave in 2019. This means a great number of 32-bit apps will be stuck on the latest Mojave including the built in DVD Player. But fortunately DVD Player app will be upgraded to 64-bit so that you're still available to watch DVD movies on Macbook Pro/Air, iMac with DVD Player and external DVD hard drive.
3. macOS Mojave vs High Sierra: File Manager
macOS High Sierra shows up with a new management called Apple File System to manage your documents, photos, mail and apps. Apple File System can organizes all your data into files and folders that you can easily approach to them via 1 click. What also impresses you is that your file data is under built-in encryption and crash-safe protections to protect your file data safety and security. Therefore, you have no need to worry about your file data safety.
How to clone a hard drive macbook. Compared with macOS High Sierra, Mojave puts a little bit different focus on file data mangement. It introduces a new feature called ' stacks', which is mainly designed for desktop management to organize even the most mussy desktops by automatically stacking files into neat groups grounded on file type. You can also manage your stacks according to date, tags, attribute, etc. It has great flexibility to clean up your cluttered desktop.
There is no absolute standard to judge which one is better: Apple File System or desktop stacks. Cuz they have their own strengths and downsides. Each has a share. Consequently, you don't have to upgrade from macOS 10.13 to macOS 10.14 if you feel satisfied with Apple File System. Certainly, you can upgrade to macOS Mojave in late June if desktop stacks feature attracts you a lot.
4. macOS Mojave vs High Sierra: Metal
Metal is a built-in technology in macOS, the main duty of which is to help Mac apps activate and make use of the full power of GPU graphics processor to quicken processing speed. The Metal 2 built in macOS High Sierra excels in taking the visual experience to the next level and more capabilities come along with Metal 2, including machine learning, VR and external GPU support for certain apps.
Now, the Metal get even stronger in Mojave. To be specific, the external GPU support enables Metal to dramatically improve 3D rendering performance and developers to develop much more AR application scenarios. And with macOS Mojave 10.14, the performance of iMac Pro can be improved up to 2.6X faster if one eGPU is connected to iMac Pro. What even amazes you is that the graphic processing performance of iMac Pro can be boosted up to 6.5X faster if 3 external CPUs are added to your iMac Pro.
5. macOS Mojave vs High Sierra: Privacy and Security
Users privacy is always the top of the priority for Apple. Apple indeed did something to macOS High Sierra to protect users privacy when using Safari. The effective solution is that Safari applies machine learning into intelligent tracking prevention, using big data to identify which one is advertiser and which one might be tracking your online operation. Afterwards, Safari can intelligently clear up the tracking data they leave behind. Thus, your browsing data belongs to yourself.
![Upgrade Upgrade](https://cdn.cultofmac.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/macos-high-sierra-install-window.jpg)
Though macOS High Sierra has already done quite well in privacy protection for Safari website browsing, that's not enough, especially after the exposure of Facebook data scandal. Therefore, Apple adds enhanced Intelligent Tracking Prevention to macOS Mojave, the function of which is to block social media 'Like' or 'Share' buttons and comment widgets from tracking users without permission. Moreover, Safari users personal info can be better protected thanks to the simplified system information Safari optimized.
Another effort Apple makes should be respected. That is the pop-up warm prompt, which helps you control what apps are permitted to access to your personal information and hardware. You might meet the pop-up windows on your iOS-based iPhone iPad, but they're rarely seen in the public eye of desktop users. You'll get asked if an app should have access to your location, photos, contacts, Apple Music, Mail and more as long as you upgrade to macOS 10.14 Mojave.
Which Mac operating system is the best is a topic of numerous debates among Apple fans.
Since the mission of this blog is to refute myths and legends around Macs, it’s time for me to provide my 2 cents about the issue on hand. While everything below is just my opinion, as a long-time Mac user and veteran software engineer, I hope my opinion worth something.
TLDR; The best Mac OS version is the one that your Mac is eligible to upgrade to. In 2019-2020 it is macOS Catalina. However, users that need to run 32-bit applications on Mac should not go with Catalina because it only supports 64-bit apps. Also, older Macs would benefit if upgraded at least to macOS Sierra because this is the earliest operating system for which Apple still releases security updates.
Update: On WWDC 2020 Apple announced a new macOS Big Sur, which is said to have the biggest UI redesign and the biggest Safari update. New Safari will run 50% faster than Chrome and use less battery. It also has new limitations: Big Sur will require at least MacBook Pro late 2013, MacBook Air 2013, and Mac Mini 2014 or later to run. Big Sur will be released in the fall of 2020.
How to Tell Which macOS You Are Running
To find out which macOS is currently running on your Mac, follow these steps:
- Click on Apple logo in the top left corner of the menubar
- In the dropdown click on the first item: About This Mac
- The first line in the Overview tab is the name of the current OS.
What Version of OS Can My Mac Run?
Not all Macs can be upgraded to the latest OS version. For instance, old Macs powered by PowerPC CPUs cannot run OS intended for Intel-based computers. Also, some versions have hardware limitations.
For instance, Mojave cannot be installed on MacBook Pro earlier than Mid 2012 model.
Check below to know exactly what version of OS your Mac can run.
Which OS is Best for my Mac
Anytime someone asks me which OS is best for them I always suggested going with the latest. Creative software for mac. Things have changed recently, however.
Should I Upgrade to macOS Catalina?
While personally I like macOS Catalina and have it installed on my MacBook Pro, Catalina comes with serious breaking changes. If you have old 32-bit apps, they will not run in the new OS. macOS Catalina and newer can only run 64-bit apps.
If you wondering whether you should upgrade to macOS Catalina, first verify that you don’t have any 32-bit apps. But first, take a back up, so you can go back in case something breaks after upgrade.
For instance, I had to remove uTorrent after upgrade. And I didn’t know that uTorrent is 32-bit!
How to Know If App is 32-bit or 64-bit
To find out whether the app on your Mac is 32-bit or 64-bit follow these steps:
- Click on Apple logo in the top left corner of the Mac screen
- Click on About This Mac option
- Click on System Report button in Overview tab (first one)
- Scroll down to Software -> Applications
- Find the app and check Kind
Which macOS Should I Use
If you have an older Mac which is not eligible to upgrade with some latest software or hardware, I’d suggest upgrading at least to Sierra for the following reasons:
- Sierra is still supported by Apple, and it gets security updates
- APFS file system is available
- It supports Siri
- Significant security improvements
The most important point when choosing the best OS is the ability getting security updates. While Apple generally does not announce the OS end of life dates, it is possible to know when they stop releasing security updates from this page.
For instance, according to the page, the last security update for OS X Yosemite was released on September 12, 2017. The last update for OS X El Capitan was in July 2018, and Carnegie Mellon University confirmed that El Capitan’s end of life date was August 2018.
Snow Leopard Myth
I know that some users on forums believe that the best OS version for Macs was Snow Leopard. But that is a myth. And I know how such myths get created.
Once I worked in the company, which was selling a 20-year old product. And customers were still using and didn’t want to switch to new versions, because the old one was rock solid.
I then talked to the engineer who worked on the project, and he revealed that the product was a total disaster when it was first deployed. Engineers had to work on-site for almost a year in order to fix all bugs.
After five or so years of polishing the product, it becomes virtually bug-free, and nobody now remembers how bad it was when it was first rolled out. A similar thing happened Snow Leopard, and it was recognized as best mac os version after some time.
How to Update to the Latest Version
Flash drive for apple macbook pro. There are two ways to update to the latest OS version on Mac:
- From the Software Update section in System Preferences
- Use a download link
Using Software Update
This is by far the best option, but it only available if you have Yosemite, or later OS installed already. If you enabled automatic updates, then Mac will inform you that the next macOS is available.
Just open System Preferences, go to Software Update and click on the Upgrade Now button.
This method is also best if wondering how to check if you have the latest version of OS installed on your Mac. Only the version compatible with your hardware will appear here.
For instance, my the latest version for Mac Mini 2012 is Mojave, I can’t install anything newer than that.
Using download links
For older systems or in case you need to downgrade, you have to download a standalone installer in DMG format. DMG stands for disk image, similar to ISO, just different formats.
After downloading the installer, just double click on it and follow instructions. Again, do not forget to take a backup before the upgrade.
Mac OS Comparisons: Requirements, Features, Compatibility, Download Links
Following is a high-level description of all Mac operating systems as early as Mountain Lion.
You can refer to those descriptions when deciding which operating system is best for your iMac, Mac Pro, Mac mini, or MacBook.
With each OS description, I included a list of Macs supported. However, you can use Mac OS compatibility checker for more detailed information.
macOS 10.15 Catalina
macOS v10.15 (codename Catalina) is the latest version of the operating system for Apple computers.
Release date: October 7, 2019
Hardware Requirements: RAM requirement increased from 2GB to 4GB.
Features
- Introduced Sidecar, which allows for Macs to use an iPad as an external display.
- iTunes was replaced by separate apps: Music, Podcasts, and TV.
- Find My Mac and Find My Friends have merged into one app.
Software Compatibility Issues
macOS Catalina is the first Mac operating system that does not support 32-bit applications. Only 64-bit apps are allowed to run on Catalina.
How to install
There are two ways to install Catalina: enable automatic updates in System Preferences or download by using the following link.
List of Apple computers compatible with macOS Catalina
- MacBook (Early 2015 or later)
- MacBook Air (Mid 2012 or later)
- MacBook Pro (Mid 2012 or later)
- Mac mini (Late 2012 or later)
- iMac models (Late 2012 or later)
- iMac Pro (All models)
- Mac Pro (Late 2013)
macOS 10.14 Mojave
Release date: September 24, 2018
Hardware Requirements: 2GB RAM and 18.5GB free space on disk
Features
- The main feature of Mojave is “Dark Mode”
- FaceTime adds group feature which allows chatting with up to 32 people
- News, Stocks, Voice Memos, and Home apps were ported from iOS to Mac.
How to install
If your Mac is eligible to update to Mojave, then the easiest way to install it is by enabling automatic updates. Downloading a standalone Mojave installer could be a little tricky.
List of Apple computers compatible with macOS Mojave
- MacBook (Early 2015 or later)
- MacBook Air (Mid 2012 or later)
- MacBook Pro (Mid 2012 or later)
- Mac mini (Late 2012 or later)
- iMac (Late 2012 or later)
- iMac Pro (All models)
- Mac Pro (Late 2013 and 2010-2012 models with upgraded GPU)
macOS 10.13 High Sierra
Release date: September 25, 2017
Hardware Requirements: 2GB RAM and 14.3GB free space on disk
Features
- APFS (Apple File System) becomes the default file system in High Sierra. It’s a significant upgrade from the older HFS+ in terms of speed, size, and security
- iCloud support of Messages which allows sync messages of the account across multiple devices
- Mail app uses 35% less storage space due to optimizations
List of Apple computers compatible with macOS High Sierra
- MacBook (Late 2009 or newer)
- MacBook Pro (Mid 2010 or newer)
- MacBook Air (Late 2010 or newer)
- Mac mini (Mid 2010 or newer)
- iMac (Late 2009 or newer)
- Mac Pro (Mid 2010 or newer)
How to install
Here is a High Sierra download link.
macOS 10.12 Sierra
This is the first macOS version. Previous OS versions for Macs were called OS X (X stands for 10).
Release date: September 20, 2016
Hardware Requirements: 2GB RAM and 8GB free space on disk
Features
- Siri was introduced to Macs
- Optimized storage with iCloud sync
- Auto-lock feature allows unlocking MacBook with paired Apple Watch
- APFS preview available
- Disk Utility can manage RAID sets again
- Significant security improvements
How to install
Here is a Sierra download link.
List of Apple computers compatible with macOS Sierra
- MacBook (Late 2009 or newer)
- MacBook Pro (Mid 2010 or newer)
- MacBook Air (Late 2010 or newer)
- Mac mini (Mid 2010 or newer)
- iMac (Late 2009 or newer)
- Mac Pro (Mid 2010 or newer)
OS X 10.11 El Capitan
Last OS X version.
Release date: September 30, 2015
Hardware Requirements: 2GB RAM and 8GB free space on disk
Features
- System Integrity Protection – a security feature that protects even when the root user executes the process
- Performance improvements: open PDF files four times faster, Mail is twice faster, launching apps 40% faster
- Notes app similar to the app in iOS
Macs compatible with OS X El Capitan
same as OS Mountain Lion.
How to install
Here is El Capitan download link.
OS X 10.10 Yosemite
Release date: October 16, 2014
2015 Macbook Pro Ram Upgrade
Hardware Requirements: 2GB RAM and 8GB free space on disk
Macs compatible with OS X Yosemite
Same as OS Mountain Lion.
Features
- Major user design overhaul
- Introduction of Handoff and Continuity features
- Photos app replaced iPhoto and Aperture
How to install
Here is Yosemite download link.
OS X 10.9 Mavericks
First free Mac OS. Previous OS versions vary from $19.99 to $129.
Release date: October 22, 2013
Hardware Requirements: 2GB RAM and 8GB free space on disk
Features
- Compressed Memory feature automatically compresses inactive apps when approaching maximum memory capacity
- Timer coalescing is a feature that reduces CPU usage by up to 72 percent
- App Nap puts apps that are not currently visible to sleep
Macs compatible with OS X Mavericks
Same as OS Mountain Lion.
How to install
OS X Mavericks installer is not available on Apple Site. Follow instructions here to install Mavericks.
OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion
Must be purchased. Fixed many bugs introduced in OS X Lion.
Release date: July 25, 2012
Can I Upgrade My Macbook Pro To Sierra Pro
System Requirements: 2GB RAM and 8GB free space on disk
Features
- New apps: Notification Center, Notes, Messages, Game Center
- AirPlay mirroring allowed to mirror Mac screen to Apple TV
- Application updates automatically install from the App Store
List of Apple computers compatible with OS X Mountain Lion
- iMac (Mid-2007 or newer)
- MacBook (Late 2008 Aluminum, or Early 2009 or newer)
- MacBook Air (Late 2008 or newer)
- MacBook Pro (Mid/Late 2007 or newer)
- Mac mini (Early 2009 or newer)
- Mac Pro (Early 2008 or newer)
- Xserve (Early 2009)
How to install
Can I Upgrade My Macbook Pro To Sierra Leone
Mountain Lion installer is not available on Apple Site. Follow instructions here to install OS X Mountain Lion.
List of older Mac OS Versions
Following Mac OS versions are still running on older Macs, but Apple does not support them anymore, and there is no point to upgrade (or downgrade) to them:
- OS X 10.7 Lion
- OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard
- Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard
- Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger
- Mac OS X 10.3 Panther
- Mac OS X 10.2 Jaguar
- Mac OS X 10.1 Puma
- Mac OS X 10.0 Cheetah