Finally, macOS Ventura Review Is Here
A great step forward
At this year’s Apple developer conference, traditionally held in the summer, we saw the introduction of new versions of Apple’s operating systems. This year, the Californian giant has decided to split the release of these systems to the public into two groups due to the lack of time to fine-tune and prepare them completely.
The first group includes iOS 16 and watchOS 9, which were made available to the public a few weeks ago, while the second group includes macOS 13, Ventura and iPadOS 16. To mark the occasion, we have, of course, prepared reviews of the systems, and in this article, we will focus on macOS 13 Ventura.
Right off the bat, I’ll mention that I’ve been using macOS Ventura since the release of its first developer beta, so I’ve been working with it every day for several long months. In this year’s version of macOS, Apple users can look forward to some exciting new features in design and, more importantly, applications.
While I considered the original macOS Monterey to be a slightly improved macOS Big Sur, I can’t say the same for macOS Ventura, as there’s a lot added, even though it may not seem like it at first glance. So let’s look at what you can look forward to and whether you should (or not) upgrade.
The “interconnection” of all systems is getting stronger and stronger
In recent years, we’ve seen Apple try to make all the major systems very similar. The biggest design change we’ve seen in recent years is macOS Big Sur, in which the system for Apple computers has become very close to iPadOS. Of course, Apple will stick with this new design for years to come, and it will certainly not be abandoned. It’s going to be deepened even further.
But this “integration” of systems is not just a question of design but also of function. Most innovations Apple has introduced in recent years are available across all operating systems. So what’s in iOS 16 or iPadOS 16, users can automatically take advantage of in macOS Ventura.
Of course, there are still differences, and some features are exclusive, but in any case, common features are simply unavoidable. Until a few years back, Apple claimed that it never planned to bundle macOS with iPadOS, but I honestly think that sooner or later, this opinion will change.
At least a lightweight version of macOS will be available for iPads, with the user having a system choice. Apple’s latest tablets do offer the extremely powerful M-series chips that beat in the guts of Macs, but unfortunately, users complain that they can’t be used 100% in iPadOS. We digress. Back to macOS Ventura.
Stage Manager
One of the biggest new features in macOS is Stage Manager, also available in the new iPadOS 16. There’s no doubt about the greatness of this feature, as it’s the main reason why the release of both of these systems to the public has been delayed.
Specifically, Stage Manager is meant to change how Apple users have worked on their Macs. It is an alternative to the classic usage aimed at better focus. Once activated, all the windows start grouping on the left side of the screen with the ability to switch between them easily.
You can also create a kind of workspace, i.e. sections with multiple app windows at once, which you can control from the left side just like the apps. I’ve tried to use Stage Manager a few times, but quite frankly, I didn’t like it.
In a way, I find it redundant, as it practically just moves the Dock from the bottom left when you activate it, and I specifically miss the “freedom” you have in everyday use. On top of that, on a MacBook with a 13″ display, Stage Manager bites off a large portion of the display, leaving you with a smaller workspace already tiny.
On the other hand, Stage Manager is also available on iPadOS 16, as I mentioned above. And in this case, I should mention that I have an opposite opinion. Because Stage Manager on Apple tablets finally offers a proper multitasking form, it’s all the more helpful if you connect a proper external monitor to your iPad — just wow.
So on the Mac, Stage Manager is probably mainly available for users who will be extremely comfortable on the iPad. However, I find that the way I use the Mac and iPad is still incompatible.
System settings
System Preferences, now System Settings, have also undergone a big change in macOS Ventura. As we’ve known System Preferences for the past many years, we’re sad to say goodbye to them for good. Not just a renaming but a complete overhaul of this very important section of macOS.
Again, we can see how Apple is trying to unify its systems. The new System Preferences no longer displays the classic icon-represented sections — instead, the window is divided into a sidebar and the main section, just like in iPadOS.
The sidebar, therefore, contains the individual sections of all preferences, which are not so general any more, but more detailed, so there are more of them. You can find specific options from the selected section in the main section. As for the fact that Apple decided to “fragment” the original sections and display more of them, I don’t mind that.
Of course, it’s a huge anomaly, even after several months of use, as all the preferences are located elsewhere and differently, and you’ll be searching for them as a result. Of course, you will gradually get used to the location of the most used preferences, but if you are looking for something unusual, it will take time.
The bigger problem is the main section, where the controls have also changed. Whereas in older versions of macOS, everything was handled primarily by using checkboxes and other specific elements, the new System Preferences show elements from iPadOS, i.e. primarily toggles, etc.
As each preset is on its line, the controls are unclear. And there is one other minor drawback to the new System Preferences, specifically for me. Due to the fragmentation of sections and relocation of preferences, unfortunately, our macOS tutorials, which I’ve been working on for over five years, can no longer be considered up to date.
Two new apps
In previous versions of macOS, you'll have noticed that two apps easily found on other systems are unavailable here — specifically Weather and Clock. The good news for all Apple fans is that these apps are finally available in macOS Ventura and look awesome.
Weather is extremely interesting and perfectly crafted, which makes it quick and easy to view all the weather information you need on your Mac’s large display. A clock is also useful, of course, where you can set the alarm, stopwatch and minute, and view the world time.
The clock isn’t quite as impressive, though — in fact, there’s not much to figure out in an app of this type. So that’s not to say that Clock looks bad. That’s for sure.
You won’t be perfect with it. Then, of course, both apps also come with widgets you can use… it’s a shame we can’t still place them directly on your desktop.
More news
We’ve broken down the most interesting new features above, and to ensure you can read this article's end, we’ll recap some more features in this last category. I’d like to highlight Camera over Continuity, where you can immediately, without any setup, wirelessly use your iPhone as a camera and microphone for your Mac.
This gives you a much better picture for more than just FaceTime video calls. If you have an iPhone with an ultra-wide-angle camera, you can also use the table view feature, which comes in handy for any activity where you want to see your hands.
In addition, you can also use shot centring and studio light with portrait mode. In short, all the possible features of the camera. I’ve also used the Camera in Continuity to easily monitor an engraving machine in another room — take the iPhone, point it as needed, and then connect to it via QuickTime.
They already sell special iPhone mounts that hook behind the top of your Mac’s screen, but either way, you can put your phone anywhere. Most new features are already shared with iOS 16 or iPadOS 16. In Messages, there’s also editing and deleting sent messages, of course, and the ability to restore deleted messages.
Spotlight has also been improved, both in terms of design and functionality and in Photos comes the Shared Photo Library on iCloud, along with locking Hidden and Recently Deleted albums. The future of Safari is to be access keys, which will completely replace passwords, but we’ll have to wait a while for their deployment, especially here.
If you’d like to know about everything new, both big and small, keep reading our magazine in the coming weeks — because we’ll be actively covering them so you can get the most out of macOS Ventura as soon as possible.
Conclusion
The new macOS Ventura operating system is, in my opinion, a good one, although it’s true that I can’t quite get my head around some of the new features. I have a positive opinion, however, because these are not things that would limit or change the way I use my Mac in any way.
Rather, I like the arrival of all the smaller improvements this year, not just in macOS Ventura but in other systems. It’s also great that in all my time using the new macOS, I’ve encountered virtually no major bugs, as I have in years past. So if you’re wondering whether you should upgrade, I have no reason not to recommend macOS Ventura.
However, in case you want to be 100% sure in terms of fixing all the birth pangs, then wait a while and, depending on the situation, decide to either update a few days later or wait for the release of the next version in the form of macOS 13.1 Ventura — this is how many Apple users do it after previous experiences and are satisfied. But the urge to try out new features is often much greater.
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