Evolution of Mac OS

Mac OS X Server 1.0 -1999

The first version of the system was Mac OS X Server 1.0 in 1999, and as for the desktop, it was Mac OS X v10.0 «Cheetah» (published on March 24, 2001) .13 For mobile devices Apple produces a specific version of OS X called iOS, which works on iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad 14 and Apple TV.

Public Beta: “Kodiak” -2000

On September 13, 2000 Apple released a $29.95 “preview” version of Mac OS X (internally codenamed Kodiak) in order to gain feedback from users. It marked the first public availability of the Aqua interface, and Apple made many changes to the UI based on customer feedback. Mac OS X Public Beta expired and ceased to function in spring 2001.

Version 10.0: “Cheetah” -2001

On March 24, 2001, Apple released Mac OS X 10.0 (internally codenamed Cheetah). The initial version was slow, incomplete, and had very few applications available at the time of its launch, mostly from independent developers. While many critics suggested that the operating system was not ready for mainstream adoption, they recognized the importance of its initial launch as a base on which to improve.

Limitations

• File-sharing client -The system can only use TCP/IP,[4]not AppleTalk, to connect to servers sharing the Apple Filling Protocol. It cannot use SMB to connect to Windows or Samba servers.
• File-sharing server -As a server, the system can share files using only the Apple Filling Protocol(over TCP/IP), HTTP, SSH, and FTP.

Features

It featured Apple’s brand new user interface Aqua and the first versions of apps like TextEdit, Preview, Mail, and QuickTime.

The new OS X demanded an (at that time: whopping!) 128 MB of RAM and 800 MB of disk space.

drawbacks/issues

• Interface Responsiveness -Its slow application launch speed and user interface response speed. The interface response times compared to earlier Apple operating systems showed that Mac OS X still had a long way to go in terms of interface performance.
• Stability — While ‘theoretical’ stability in Mac OS X was much better than stability in Mac OS 9, Mac OS X was riddled with fatal bugs that caused kernel panics, especially in complex hardware setups.
• Missing Features and Hardware Compatibility Issues -Another reason for criticism were the missing features, especially missing DVD playback, as well as CD Burning, both of which had been available in the prior version of Mac OS. Mac OS X 10.0.2 included the necessary software frameworks to allow iTunes 1.1.1 to provide audio CD burning support, but data CD burning had to wait until version 10.1 There were also several issues in respect to missing printer and other hardware drivers.

Version 10.1: “Puma” -2001

Later that year on September 25, 2001, Mac OS X 10.1 (internally codenamed Puma) was released. It had better performance and provided missing features, such as DVD playback. Apple released 10.1 as a free upgrade CD for 10.0 users, in addition to the US$129 boxed version for people running Mac OS 9. It was discovered that the upgrade CDs were full install CDs that could be used with Mac OS 9 systems by removing a specific file.

Only Supported computers:

• Power Mac G3
• Power Mac G4
• Power Mac G4 Cube
• iMac G3
• eMac
• PowerBook G3, except for the original PowerBook G3
• PowerBook G4
• iBook

RAM:

• 128 MB(64 MB minimum)

Hard Drive Space:

• 1.5 GB

Features

Instead of delivering many new features, it focused on improving the system’s performance.With Mac OS 10.1.2, Apple also started shipping OS X by default with new computers and replaced OS 9 for good.

drawbacks/issues

• System performance — Although system performance in version 10.1 was greatly improved, it was still deemed ‘not enough’ for many to adopt Mac OS X as their main operating system.
• Minor upgrade — While version 10.1 made some significant headway, many users criticised the step between versions 10.0 and 10.1 as not large enough. The user interface was said to have barely changed at all, and significant bugs still existed, some that caused entire system crashes.

Version 10.2: “Jaguar” -2002

On August 23, 2002, Apple followed up with Mac OS X 10.2 Jaguar, the first release to use its code name as part of the branding.It brought great raw performance improvements,, and many powerful user-interface enhancements, including Quartz Extreme for compositing graphics directly on an ATI Radeon or Nvidia GeForce2 MX AGP-based video card with at least 16 MB of VRAM, a system-wide repository for contact information in the new Address Book, and an instant messaging client named iChat.

Only supported for:

• PowerPC G3 or G4 CPU and 128 MB of RAM
• Mac OS X 10.2.7 (codenames Blackrider, Smeagol) was only available to the new Power Mac G5s and aluminum PowerBook G4s released before Mac OS X Panther.

Features

Jaguar featured new applications like iChat and Address Book. It also introduced Universal Access, a component that made OS X more usable for people with visual and hearing impairment or physical disability.

Besides that, OS 10.2 showed a new startup screen: it replaced the Happy Mac logo with the new, fruity Apple icon.

Version 10.3: “Panther” -2003

Mac OS X 10.3 Panther was released on 2003. In addition to providing much improved performance, it also incorporated the most extensive update yet to the user interface. Panther included as many or more new features as Jaguar had the year before, including an updated Finder, incorporating a brushed-metal interface, Fast user switching, Exposé (Window manager), FileVault, Safari, iChat AV, improved Portable Document Format (PDF) rendering and much greater Microsoft Windows interoperability.

Requirements for Mac OS X 10.3

Mac OS X 10.3 works with these Macintosh computers:

• Power Mac G5 — all models except Power Mac G5 (Early 2005), Power Mac G5 (Late 2005) which use Mac OS X 10.4
• Power Mac G4 or Macintosh Server G4 — all models
• Power Macintosh G3 or Macintosh Server G3 that have built-in USB ports
• iMac — all models released in 2004 or earlier
• iBook — all models except iBook G4 (Mid 2005) which uses Mac OS X 10.4
• PowerBook G4 — all models except PowerBook G4 (Double-Layer SD) which uses Mac OS X 10.4
• PowerBook G3 — Bronze Keyboard models only

1. Usually, the earliest version of Mac OS X that a Mac works with is the version it ships with.
2. Computers with processor upgrade cards are not supported with Mac OS X. Although Mac OS X may install and appear to work normally on some computers with third-party microprocessor upgrade cards, Apple does not provide technical support or assistance for Mac OS X when used in this way. Contact the manufacturer of your microprocessor upgrade card for support information.
3. If your Power Macintosh G3 or Macintosh Server G3 computer has a build-to-order (BTO) 128-Bit 2D/3D Professional Graphics Accelerator Card, see also “Mac OS X 10.0: 128-Bit 2D/3D Professional Graphics Card Causes Kernel Panic”.

Additionally, the computer should have:

• 128 MB RAM (memory) or more for Mac OS X 10.3.9 or earlier.
• At least 1.5 GB free hard disk space. Note: For Mac OS X 10.2 or later, 3.0 GB is the recommended minimum. The exact amount required depends on your computer and how you install Mac OS X (default versus custom installation, for example).
• Mac OS 9.1 or later for Classic applications.

Features

Microsoft must have had mixed feelings with Panther: on the one hand, Internet Explorer for Mac was superseded by the new Safari as the default web browser. On the other hand, 10.3 brought many interoperability improvements with Microsoft Windows (including out-of-the-box support for Active Directory).

Additionally, Apple presented Exposé to improve working with multiple open applications.

Version 10.4: “Tiger” -2005

Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger was released on April 29, 2005. Apple stated that Tiger contained more than 200 new features. As with Panther, certain older machines were no longer supported; Tiger requires a Mac with a built-in FireWire port. Among the new features, Tiger introduced Spotlight, Dashboard, Smart Folders, updated Mail program with Smart Mailboxes, QuickTime 7, Safari 2, Automator, VoiceOver, Core Image and Core Video.

Limitations

minimum of 256MB of memory and is designed to run on any Macintosh® computer with a PowerPC G5, G4, or G3 processor and built-in FireWire®.

Features

Tiger brought the invaluable Spotlight search to Mac OS. It was also the first version to present Widgets (like a calculator, a calendar, or a clock) on the new Dashboard.

Besides that, Mac OS 10.4 inaugurated new hardware: it was installed both on the first Macs with Intel processors and on the first Apple TV devices (that were yet to come out later, in 2007).

Version 10.5: “Leopard” -2007

Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard was released on October 26, 2007. It was called by Apple “the largest update of Mac OS X”. Leopard supports both PowerPC- and Intel x86-based Macintosh computers; support for the G3 processor was dropped and the G4 processor required a minimum clock rate of 867 MHz, and at least 512 MB of RAM to be installed. New features in Mail and iChat, and a number of new security features.

Leopard requires a minimum of 512MB of RAM and is designed to run on any Macintosh® computer with an Intel, PowerPC G5 or G4 (867 Mhz or faster) processor.

Features

No other Mac OS had been such a long time in the coming. However, Apple had been busy developing and releasing iOS and the iPhone in the meantime…

The new Leopard, anyhow, introduced a built-in backup system called Time Machine. It also brought full support for 64-bit applications.

Moreover, Mac computers could now run other operating systems like Microsoft Windows — thanks to Boot Camp.

Version 10.6: “Snow Leopard” -2009

Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard was released on August 28, 2009, the last version to be available on disc. Rather than delivering big changes to the appearance and end user functionality like the previous releases of Mac OS X, the development of Snow Leopard was deliberately focused on “under the hood” changes, increasing the performance, efficiency, and stability of the operating system.

Snow Leopard requires a minimum of 1GB of RAM and is designed to run on any Mac computer with an Intel processor.

Additional requirements to use certain features:

• QuickTime H.264 hardware acceleration support requires an Nvidia GeForce 9400M, 320M, or GT 330M graphics card
• OpenCL requires a supported Nvidia or ATI graphics card

Features

Like the name suggests, Snow Leopard built mainly on top of its predecessor, Leopard. However, it introduced the new Mac App Store that was inspired by its successful companion on iOS.

Mac OS 10.6 also marked the end of the PowerPC architecture. Only Intel-based Macs were supported from this point on.

Version 10.7: “Lion” -2011

Mac OS X 10.7 Lion was released on July 20, 2011. It brought developments made in Apple’s iOS, such as an easily navigable display of installed applications (Launchpad) and (a greater use of) multi-touch gestures, to the Mac. To making it incapable of running PowerPC applications. It dropped support for 32-bit Intel processors and requires 2GB of memory. Changes made to the GUI (Graphical User Interface) include the Launchpad (similar to the home screen of iOS devices)

Lion requires an Intel-based Mac with a Core 2 Duo, i3, i5, i7 or Xeon processor and 2GB of RAM.

The first developer preview of Lion added TRIM support for Solid-state drives (SSD) shipped with Macs, which is also included in the latest version of Snow Leopard (10.6.8) shipping with current MacBook Pros before July 20, 2011. Other SSDs have built-in TRIM-like optimisation, while yet others require OS patching.

Features

The king of all cats, Lion, was the first version of Mac OS that wasn’t available on CDs or DVDs anymore. The exclusively downloadable OS picked up many ideas from iOS: Gestures, Launchpad, window restoring, …

Apple’s newest part of infrastructure, iCloud, also debuted in Mac OS 10.7.

Version 10.8: “Mountain Lion” -2012

OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion was released on July 25, 2012. It incorporates some features seen in iOS 5, which include Game Center, support for iMessage in the new Messages messaging application, and Reminders as a to-do list app separate from iCal. It also includes support for storing iWork documents in iCloud. 2GB of memory is required. Notification Center, which makes its debut in Mountain Lion, is a desktop version similar to the one in iOS 5.0 and higher.

The official system requirements of OS X 10.8 are 2 GB RAM, 8 GB available storage, OS X 10.6.8 (Snow Leopard) or later, on any of the following Macs:

• iMac (Mid 2007 or newer. Late 2006 is supported if an app called MlPostFactor v0.3 is used.)
• MacBook (Aluminum, Late 2008), (Polycarbonate, Early 2009 or newer)
• MacBook Pro (Mid/Late 2007 or newer)
• MacBook Air (Late 2008 or newer)
• Mac Mini (Early 2009 or newer)
• Mac Pro (Early 2008 or newer)
• Xserve (Early 2009)

Features

Mountain Lion brought even more successful concepts from iOS to the Mac: a new Messages app to replace iChat, the Reminders app, and the Notification Center.

Even before presenting OS 10.8, Apple made a big announcement: it committed to a yearly release cycle for new versions of Mac OS.

Version 10.9: “Mavericks” -2013

OS X 10.9 Mavericks was released on October 22, 2013, as a free update through the Mac App Store worldwide.It places emphasis on battery life, Finder enhancements, other enhancements for power users, and continued iCloud integration, as well as bringing more of Apple’s iOS apps to the OS X platform. iBooks and Apple Maps applications were added. Mavericks requires 2GB of memory to operate.

OS X Mavericks can run on any Mac that can run OS X Mountain Lion; as with Mountain Lion, 2 GB of RAM, 8 GB of available storage, and OS X 10.6.8 (Snow Leopard) or later are required.Mavericks and later versions are all available for free.

Compatible models:

• iMac (Mid 2007 or later)
• MacBook (13-inch Aluminum, Late 2008), (13-inch Polycarbonate, Early 2009 or later)
• MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2009 or later), (15-inch or 17-inch, Mid/Late 2007 or later)
• MacBook Air (Late 2008 or later)
• Mac Mini (Early 2009 or later)
• Mac Pro (Early 2008 or later)
• Xserve (Early 2009)

Features

With Mavericks, Apple didn’t only introduce a new naming scheme for its operating system. It also made OS 10.9 a free upgrade and promised to keep future updates free, too.

New applications like Maps and iBooks were also presented with Mavericks.

Version 10.10: “Yosemite” -2014

OS X Yosemite was released to the general public on October 16, 2014, as a free update through the Mac App Store worldwide. It featured a major overhaul of user interface, replaced skeuomorphism with flat graphic design and blurred translucency effects, following the aesthetic introduced with iOS 7. It introduced features called Continuity and Handoff, which allow for tighter integration between paired OS X and iOS devices.2 GB of RAM, 8 GB of available storage, and OS X 10.6.8 (Snow Leopard) or later are required.

Compatible models

• iMac (Mid 2007 or later)
• MacBook (Aluminum Late 2008 and Early 2009 or later)
• MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2009 or later; 15-inch, Mid/Late 2007 or later; 17-inch, Late 2007 or later)
• MacBook Air (Late 2008 or later)
• Mac Mini (Early 2009 or later)
• Mac Pro (Early 2008 or later) (Can run on a mid-2006 version if one upgrades to a supported graphics chip and utilizes a custom bootloader)
• Xserve (Early 2009)

Features

The biggest design change in years, Mac OS 10.10 follows its little brother iOS — with a flatter appearance and blurred transparency effects.

With the new Handoff functionality, users are able to move seamlessly between devices, even during individual tasks. Apple also emphasizes its Full Screen Mode feature: it’s now triggered through the traditional green button in the window title bar.

Version 10.11: “El Capitan” -2015

OS X El Capitan was revealed on June 8, 2015, during the WWDC keynote speech. It was made available as a public beta in July and was made available publicly on September 30, 2015. Apple described this release as containing “Refinements to the Mac Experience” and “Improvements to System Performance” rather than new features. Refinements include public transport built into the Maps application, GUI improvements to the Notes application, as well as adopting San Francisco as the system font.

These computers can run El Capitan, provided they have at least 2GB of RAM and 6GB disk space

• MacBook: Late 2008 or newer
• MacBook Air: Late 2008 or newer
• MacBook Pro: Mid 2007 or newer
• Mac Mini: Early 2009 or newer
• iMac: Mid 2007 or newer
• Mac Pro: Early 2008 or newer
• Xserve: Early 2009

Features

El Capitan, named after a rock formation in Yosemite National Park, concentrates on performance & stability improvements.

Besides some smaller enhancements to Safari, Spotlight, Mail, and Notes, the introduction of Split Views is probably the biggest novelty: a way to conveniently arrange two applications’ windows side-by-side.

Version 10.12: “Sierra” -2016

MacOS Sierra was announced on June 13, 2016, during the WWDC keynote speech. The update brought Siri to macOS, featuring several Mac-specific features, like searching for files. It also allowed websites to support Apple pay as a method of transferring payment, using either a nearby iOS device or Touch ID to authenticate. iCloud also received several improvements, such as the ability to store a user’s Desktop and Documents folders on iCloud so they could be synced with other Macs on the same Apple ID. It was released publicly on September 20, 2016.

macOS Sierra requires at least 2 GB of RAM and 8 GB of storage space and will run on:

• iMac: Late 2009 or newer
• MacBook and MacBook 12-inch: Late 2009 or newer
• MacBook Pro: Mid 2010 or newer
• MacBook Air: Late 2010 or newer
• Mac Mini: Mid 2010 or newer
• Mac Pro: Mid 2010 or newer
• Xserve is no longer compatible.

Features

Once more, Apple’s desktop operating system moves closer to its iOS sibling. And it’s not only the name: Siri, also originally introduced on the iPhone, is now on macOS, too.

Also in Sierra, Safari officially introduces Apple Pay and Apple Watch can now unlock your Mac.

Version 10.13: “High Sierra” -2017

MacOS High Sierra was announced on June 5, 2017, during the WWDC keynote speech. It was released on September 25, 2017. The release includes many under-the-hood improvements, including a switch to Apple File System (APFS), the introduction of Metal 2, support for HEVC video, and improvements to VR support. In addition, numerous changes were made to standard applications including Photos, Safari, Notes, and Spotlight.

macOS High Sierra requires at least 2 GB of RAM and 14.3 GB of available disk space.

• iMac: Late 2009 or later
• MacBook: Late 2009 or later
• MacBook Pro: Mid 2010 or later
• MacBook Air: Late 2010 or later
• Mac Mini: Mid 2010 or later
• Mac Pro: Mid 2010 or later

Features

Much like El Capitan two years before, High Sierra concentrates mostly on “under the hood” improvements. The Apple File System, for example, brings faster file operations and better security. With HEVC, Apple now supports a new video standard — with up to 40% better compression than previously.

As far as applications are concerned, especially Safari and Photos get a new coat of whitewash (and some new features).

drawbacks/issues

macOS High Sierra 10.13.0 and 10.13.1 have a critical vulnerability that allowed an attacker to become a root user by not entering the password.When it was first launched, it was discovered that the process named “WindowServer” had a memory leak, leading to much slower graphics performance and lagging animations, probably due to some last-minute changes in Metal 2.

Version 10.14: “Mojave” -2018

MacOs Mojave was announced on June 4, 2018, during the WWDC keynote speech. It was released on September 24, 2018. Some of the key new features were the Dark mode, Desktop stacks and Dynamic Desktop, which changes the desktop background image to correspond to the user’s current time of day.

Mojave is compatible with the following Macintosh computers running OS X Mountain Lion or later:

• MacBook: Early 2015 or newer
• MacBook Air: Mid 2012 or newer
• MacBook Pro: Mid 2012 or newer, Retina display not needed
• Mac Mini: Late 2012 or newer
• iMac: Late 2012 or newer
• iMac Pro
• Mac Pro: Late 2013 or newer; Mid 2010 or Mid 2012 models require a Metal-capable GPU

Mojave requires a GPU that supports Metal, and the list of compatible systems is more restrictive than the previous version, macOS High Sierra.

macOS Mojave requires at least 2 GB of RAM as well as 12.5 GB of available disk space to upgrade from OS X El Capitan, macOS Sierra, or macOS High Sierra or 18.5 GB of disk space to upgrade from OS X Yosemite and earlier releases. Some features are not available on all compatible models.

Features

Mojave is a very visual update. Partly due to Dynamic Desktop (which delivers time-shifting desktop pictures), but especially due to the new Dark Mode (which offers a dark appearance for all built-in and many third-party apps).

Apart from improvements to Finder and FaceTime, Apple brings over four new Mac apps from iOS: News, Stocks, Home, and Voice Memos.

drawbacks/issues

Version 10.15: “Catalina” -2019

MacOs Catalina was announced on June 3, 2019, during the WWDC keynote speech. It was released on October 7, 2019. It primarily focuses on updates to built-in apps, such as replacing iTunes with separate Music, Podcasts, and TV apps, redesigned Reminders and Books apps, and a new Find My app. It also features Sidecar, which allows the user to use an iPad as a second screen for their computer, or even simulate a graphics tablet with an Apple Pencil. It is the first version of macOS not to support 32-bit applications. The Dashboard application was also removed in the update.

Catalina requires 4 GB of memory, an increase over the 2 GB required by Lion through Mojave.

• iMac: Late 2012 or newer
• iMac Pro
• Mac Pro: Late 2013 or newer
• Mac Mini: Late 2012 or newer
• MacBook: Early 2015 or newer
• MacBook Air: Mid 2012 or newer
• MacBook Pro: Mid 2012 or newer, Retina display not needed

Features

The macOS Catalina 10.15.3 update improves the stability, reliability, and security of your Mac, and is recommended for all users.

• Optimizes gamma handling of low gray levels on Pro Display XDR for SDR workflows when using macOS
• Improves multi-stream video editing performance for HEVC and H.264-encoded 4K video on the MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2019)