What is macOS? Find all the information about macOS here.

MacOS: Defined Briefly

Apple's operating system, now called macOS, was first introduced in 1984 as “Mac OS” to run on the Macintosh personal computer (PC). It has evolved over nearly four decades, with the latest version, Ventura, announced in 2022.

macOS is known for its graphical user interface (GUI), which even inspired Microsoft to adopt one for Windows rather than stick with its command-line interface. The operating system is designed specifically for the hardware it runs on, and comes with a suite of well-designed applications that make it easy to use – which is why you can't just install it on any old computer.

macOS and Mac OS X

On March 24, 2001, Apple released Mac OS X (the “X” stands for the Roman numeral 10, and is pronounced “ten,” not the letter “x”). All versions of macOS have been named after big cats—such as Cheetah, Puma, and Tiger—but inside Apple, each version was code-named after a wine.

With the release of Mountain Lion in 2012, the operating system was simply called OS X, instead of Mac OS X. Beginning in 2013, the names shifted from cats to locations in California, and with that change came another: the name header changed from “OS X” to “macOS.”

In the more than two decades since, a lot has changed, for better and for worse. What began as a slow and incompatible system unable to run essential apps like Microsoft Word evolved through many iterations and design overhauls into the macOS we know today.

macOS release versions (including Mac OS X and macOS)

Apple generally releases a new version of macOS every year. The table below outlines the releases, which also give you a sense of its development process.

The first chart lists the versions of Mac OS X and OS X:

The second table lists the versions of macOS:

What's the latest version of macOS?

The latest version is macOS 13 Ventura, which is scheduled for release on October 24, 2022.

This image shows macOS Ventura.

It is the 19th major release of the macOS operating system, named for a California beach town known for its surfers and windsurfers. The update includes a new Stage Manager window-management system and renames System Preferences System Settings.

Stage Manager is a prominent feature that helps automatically organize open files and apps, placing the user's main window front and center on the screen and showing smaller icons of other open files and apps on the left side. Want to give the new feature a try? You can download macOS Ventura here. But before upgrading your Mac, make sure to back up all your valuable data using Time Machine just in case.

Other new features include:

• Edit or delete messages sent via iMessage
• Share Tab Groups
• Password Keys in Safari as an alternative to passwords
• iCloud Shared Photo Library
• New Clock and Weather apps
• Enhanced Smart Folders in Notes
• Improvements to Spotlight
• Enhanced gaming experience
• Live Text in videos
• Calm background sounds

Aside from the very latest, these three are the most widely used and have huge support.

macOS 12 Monterey is the twelfth major release of Apple's macOS operating system, officially named in Chinese as "macOS Monterey."

This image is described in Chinese as: "macOS Monterey"

At its 2021 Worldwide Developers Conference, Apple announced macOS Monterey, with features focused on communication and privacy. One of those features, SharePlay, works with FaceTime to allow up to 32 people to watch the same media content together. Everyone on such a call using the app receives time-synchronized cues and can control playback.

“Universal Control,” another feature glimpsed briefly during the WWDC keynote, will let users connect multiple Macs and iPads and switch between them with a single mouse and keyboard, blending several computers running separate operating systems into one workspace. Other new tricks include the ability to share tabs across devices and to use an iPhone as a webcam.

• Digital Legacy to pass on your data to trusted friends or family after you pass away
• Add an "Erase All Content and Settings" feature like on the iPhone for Macs
• Indicators for microphone and camera usage
• New iCloud shared folders in Finder
• Low-power mode for Bluetooth devices
• A dedicated password manager in System Preferences
• Shortcuts app addition to Mac

macOS 11 Big Sur is the 17th major release of Apple's macOS operating system, named after the coastal region in California. This version introduces significant updates and design changes, such as a refreshed user interface, improvements to the Safari browser, enhanced privacy features, and support for Apple silicon chips.

This image depicts Apple's macOS Big Sur operating system.

Named for a region of the central California coast, macOS 11 Big Sur is the 17th major release of the Mac operating system.

Big Sur is the code name for macOS 11, the most significant change of which is that it runs on Apple's own M1 chip rather than the previous Intel processors.

New features include:

- Safari: 50% faster than Chrome - Control Center - Customizable widgets in the Notification Center - Support for running iOS apps on Macs with the Apple M1 chip - Spatial audio support for AirPods Pro - Look Around feature in the Maps app - Enhanced group messaging experience in the Messages app

macOS 10.15 Catalina is the version name of the macOS operating system developed by Apple Inc., commonly translated as "macOS Catalina" in Chinese.

This image shows the macOS Catalina operating system.

macOS 10.15 Catalina, named after an island off the coast of California, is the 16th major release of the Mac operating system, announced in June 2019.

Catalina removes the Dashboard widgets, but adds a lot, too. Sidecar uses AirPlay (like AirDisplay or AirParrot) to make your iPad a second screen; iTunes is split into Music, Podcasts, and Apple TV apps; Finder can manage connected iOS devices; Find My combines Find My Mac and Find My Friends; Reminders handles attachments; and Siri is smarter when notifying you.

Here's a quick look at the major new features:

- 64-bit apps only - Catalyst apps - Sidecar iPad as second display - Split from iTunes - Find My app

Conclusions

Developed by Apple, the macOS operating system has evolved and innovated through numerous iterations, witnessing its name change from Mac OS X to macOS. It is now updated to the latest version, Ventura, released last year. Each iteration, from Cheetah to Ventura, has introduced new features or enhancements. Thus, the four aspects mentioned above provide a comprehensive understanding of what macOS is all about.