The Mac operating system is a software package that runs on Mac computers. It controls how your computer works and behaves. There are several different versions of the Mac operating system, each one with its own particular ‘flavor’ – some are targeted at home users while others focus on specific sectors such as education or media production. Understanding which version of OS you have and what it can do for you is essential if you want to get the most out of your Mac computer.
Whether this is your first Mac or your tenth, knowing the ins and outs of OS will help you get more from your machine. In this article, we take a look at everything you need to know about Mac operating system.
What is a Mac Operating System?
The Mac operating system is the software that controls how your computer works and what it can do. The OS is responsible for managing everything from the computer’s memory and energy use to the speed at which the computer performs tasks. It also manages the communication between different computer components such as the mouse and keyboard, the hard drive and your internet connection.
The OS is a crucial part of any computer system. Without the OS, computers would be little more than fancy bricks. Choosing the right operating system for a computer can be difficult, especially as there are many different versions to choose from. OS X, which is the Mac operating system, is a UNIX-based operating system.
This means it has a different design and programming language than Windows, which is the most common operating system among PCs. Although they may look and feel very different, at their core, both operating systems are designed to serve the same purpose – to make your computer easier to use.
How to check which version of the Mac OS you have
In order to check which version of the Mac operating system you have, click on the Apple menu in the top left-hand corner of your screen. When the drop-down menu appears, click ‘About This Mac’. The About This Mac window will open. Here you will see details about your particular computer. Scroll down this window until you come to the section called “System Report”. Here you can see which version of the OS your computer is running.
If you have access to another Mac, you can also check the version on that machine. This can be helpful if you are talking to friends or family about what OS they should buy. OS X is the actual name of the Mac operating system. The name of the latest version of OS X is available through the About This Mac window. The version name will be listed under the “OS’ section.
macOS Sierra – A Review
macOS Sierra was the name given to the latest version of the Mac operating system. The version was released in September 2016 after a year of beta testing. The update was designed to improve the overall performance and user experience of the Mac platform. It was designed to work seamlessly with Apple’s other products such as the iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch.
Some of the key benefits of the OS are:
Apple’s Siri can be used on the Mac computer. Using voice commands, the computer could be controlled and given tasks without the need for a keyboard.
Users can unlock their Mac computers with their iPhones via a Bluetooth connection. – Integration between Mac computers and iCloud was improved. This meant that documents could be sent to and from other devices such as iPhones and iPads.
The macOS Sierra update also brought Apple’s new file system, APFS, to the Mac. This is designed to make hard drive use more efficient and increase computer speed.
macOS High Sierra
The latest version of the Mac operating system is High Sierra. The update focussed on security and speed improvements. One of the biggest changes to the OS is the way it manages hard drives. Apple has replaced its old HFS file system with a new and more efficient file system called APFS. APFS is built to take advantage of modern computer architecture and make the most of available space. The OS also comes with a new security feature called “firmware security”.
This prevents any malicious code from being installed on your computer’s hardware. The new security feature also helps to protect against computer hacking. High Sierra also brings a few new features to the Mac. The most notable of these is the new “ARKit” augmented reality software. This software is designed to help developers create new apps that use AR technology. Some of the apps that can take advantage of this are Ikea’s virtual furniture app, and the Pokémon Go game.
macOS Mojave
The Mojave version of the Mac operating system was released in September 2018 and is largely similar to the High Sierra version. The update brings a few new things to the table but is otherwise a very small update to the platform in general. Some of the new features include a “Dark Mode”, which changes the appearance of the Mac menu bar and desktop to a dark colour scheme. There is also a new “Stacks” feature that organizes messy desktop spaces, and a “Signed PDF” feature that lets you scan, sign and send documents as PDF files. The update also brings with it a new feature that allows for more secure online transactions. This update is available for both Mac computers and iMacs.
macOS and Security Updates – Is it worth updating?
As all computer users know, updates are essential – but they’re also a pain when you’re busy or away from your machine. However, it is a good idea to keep your computer up to date with the latest software, particularly if you run macOS. Apple releases security updates and new features from time to time and these are best implemented on the most up-to-date version of the OS.
Apple regularly releases security updates for its various software platforms, including macOS. These updates are best installed at the earliest opportunity as they often contain patches for newly discovered security holes.
If you are running macOS 10.14.6 you will have access to the latest security updates.
macOS 10.15 – The New Pro-Edition
The new version of the Mac operating system includes a new feature called “pro-edition”. The pro-edition is designed to help create a more seamless working environment between Mac computers and the other devices that are part of the Apple ecosystem. Apple currently has three different editions of the Mac operating system available.
These are Mojave, High Sierra and Sierra. With the release of the Catalina OS, the company plans to merge the Sierra and Mojave editions into one. This will allow for more seamless communication between Mac computers and other devices. The new OS will also include a new feature called “dark interface” that will change the look and feel of the desktop. This feature will be activated by default upon installation of the new OS version.
Conclusion
The Mac operating system controls how your computer works and behaves. There are several different versions of the OS, each one with its own particular ‘flavour’ – some are targeted at home users while others focus on specific sectors such as education or media production. Choosing the right operating system for a computer can be difficult, especially as there are many different versions to choose from.
Recommended Reading: What Is Linux Operating System And How Does It Work?
