From the first public release to the 2021 release, macOS has had eighteen versions so far, and there are more on the way because Apple promised its users an annual update. The Mac OS versions list started from Mac OS X 10.0 (Cheetah) in 2001, and the latest one is macOS Monterey.
For the longest time, Mac users have debated which Mac operating system is the best, and it is time to end this confusion once and for all. In all practicality, the best version of macOS is the one that your device is eligible to upgrade to. Therefore, in 2021, it is macOS Monterey, and this is the best version at the moment. However, if your device isn’t compatible to upgrade to Monterey or you need to run 32-bit applications on your Mac, the best macOS for your requirements would be Mojave. Suppose you’re using an older version of Mac. In that case, you will benefit if you can at least upgrade to macOS Sierra because Apple continues to release security patches for this version of macOS.
If you don’t know which macOS you are currently running, you need to find out by clicking on the Apple logo on your Mac > selecting About This Mac. Then, in the Overview tab, the first line is the name of the current operating system.
The debate regarding which Mac operating system is the best is moot because all devices are incompatible with the current macOS update. Since all Macs cannot be upgraded to the latest version of the OS, there cannot be one OS version that’s the best. For instance, old Mac models powered by PowerPC CPUs cannot run OS for Intel-based computers. Moreover, some of the Mac models have hardware limitations.
Similarly, you cannot install Mojave if you’re using a MacBook Pro model released before 2012. So, before installing the latest OS or even thinking about it, you need to ensure your device is compatible with the OS.
So, at the moment, macOS Monterey is the best OS version for Macs. If your device is compatible, you can consider upgrading to this OS via Software Update right away. Even though it is not a flashy update like Big Sur, the features truly stand out. Keep reading to know more about Monterey.
macOS Monterey: features and hardware requirements
macOS Monterey was publicly released on 25th October 2021, and it offers users promising features to make their Mac experience seamless and safer. Some of the notable features are as follows:
- Safari, the flagship browser, is improved as the OS update brings the Tab Groups feature to the browser. Users can move the tabs to open more space. Furthermore, the browser’s color theme will change to match the current website’s color. Along with grouping tabs, users can also create shortcuts like on iPad.
- FaceTime has received major improvements, and it can now blur the background and view people in Portrait mode and Grid view. Also, SharePlay is added, which allows users to watch movies or listen to music together when they’re on a group call. What’s more, Android and Windows users can join a FaceTime call via their browser.
- Universal Control is another cool feature that allows users to drag and drop documents and files between iPad and Mac. No matter the device, you can continue working in peace.
- The Live Text feature is also added, and it allows users to take screenshots and include texts. For example, if you are giving a presentation and the speaker wrote a URL on the whiteboard, you can take a screenshot and then go to the URL without typing it out.
- The AirPlay feature has been added to Mac, and now you can play any video or audio from your phone and turn your Mac into a speaker or something like the Apple TV.
- Another cool feature is the low power mode that helps Macs run a little longer than before, so you can get your work done without looking for the charger.
While the features are quite tempting, there are strict hardware requirements for upgrading to Monterey. Your Mac must have 4GB of RAM, and only 64-bit applications are allowed to run on this OS version. Furthermore, Mac models released in 2013 or later are typically compatible with this OS version.
Conclusion
Hopefully, you have a clear idea regarding which OS version is the best. Ensure to always upgrade your Mac to the latest OS version to take advantage of the bug fixes and latest features.