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System 1
Released with: The original Macintosh (128K RAM).
-Introduced a graphical user interface (GUI), inspired by Xerox PARC.
-Featured the mouse, windows, icons, desktop, and drop-down menus.
-No multitasking, no hard drive — everything ran from floppy disks. -
System 2
-Added support for double-sided floppy disks and better file handling.
-Improved printing capabilities and menu bar behavior. -
System 3
-Support for 800 KB floppy disks, external drives, and the first Apple hard drive (HD20).
-Finder improvements, though still no true multitasking. -
System 4
-Released with the Macintosh SE and Mac II.
-Introduced MultiFinder, an early implementation of cooperative multitasking (not preemptive). -
System 6
-Considered one of the most stable early versions of the OS.
-Fully integrates MultiFinder, better system resource management.
-Simple and intuitive monochrome graphical interface. -
System 7 (major leap forward)
-Full color interface, refined icons.
-Support for virtual memory.
-Introduction of the Apple menu as we know it.
-Native, always-on cooperative multitasking.
-Integrated QuickTime and AppleScript. -
Mac OS 7.6
-Apple officially rebrands the system to Mac OS, dropping the “System” name.
-Prepares the foundation for the transition to Mac OS X. -
Mac OS 8
-Modern visual redesign, with more color and early transparency effects.
-Performance and stability improvements.
-Introduces Appearance Manager for theme customization.
-Released during Steve Jobs' return to Apple. -
Mac OS 9
-The final classic Mac OS version.
-Introduced Keychain (password management), Sherlock 2 (internet search), and better networking features.
-Early support for software updates via internet, but still no protected memory or preemptive multitasking. -
Mac OS X 10.0
-Introduced Aqua UI (glass-like design, shadows, transparency)
-Based on UNIX (Darwin + Mach)
-Protected memory, preemptive multitasking
-New app frameworks: Carbon (legacy) and Cocoa (modern) -
Mac OS X 10.1
-Performance and usability improvements
-CD/DVD burning support
-Better hardware compatibility
-Free upgrade for early adopters -
Mac OS X 10.2
-Quartz Extreme (GPU-accelerated graphics)
-iChat (early instant messaging)
-Universal Access
-Junk mail filtering in Mail -
Mac OS X 10.3
-Exposé (window management)
-Fast User Switching
-FileVault (home folder encryption)
-Safari (default web browser)
-Xcode tools introduced -
Mac OS X 10.4
-Spotlight (system-wide search)
-Dashboard widgets
-Automator
-Core Image, Core Video -
Mac OS X 10.5
-Time Machine (automated backups)
-Spaces (virtual desktops)
-Boot Camp (run Windows natively)
-64-bit support system-wide -
Mac OS X 10.6
-Focused on performance, stability, and refinement
-Entire OS rebuilt for Intel 64-bit
-Smaller footprint, faster boot times
-Grand Central Dispatch and OpenCL for developers -
Mac OS X 10.7
-Launchpad
-Auto Save, Versions
-Full-screen apps
-Mission Control -
OS X 10.8
-Dropped “Mac” from the name: now just OS X
-Deeper iCloud integration
-New apps: Messages, Reminders, Notes, Notification Center
-Gatekeeper introduced (app security based on developer signatures) -
OS X 10.9
-First version free to upgrade
-Focused on battery life, performance
-Finder Tabs
-iBooks, Maps for Mac
-Compressed memory -
OS X 10.10
-Major visual redesign, flat and translucent like iOS 7
-Continuity (Handoff between iOS and Mac)
-iCloud Drive
-Dark mode (early version) -
OS X 10.11
-Performance and stability release
-Metal for Mac (graphics performance boost)
-Split View, enhanced Mission Control
-System Integrity Protection (rootless security model) -
macOS 10.12
-Rebranded from "OS X" to "macOS" to match iOS/tvOS/watchOS.
-Siri on Mac
-Auto Unlock with Apple Watch
-Universal Clipboard
-iCloud Drive syncing of Desktop/Documents -
macOS 10.13
-Mostly an under-the-hood update
-APFS – new file system (replacing HFS+)
-HEVC and HEIF media support
-Metal 2 (advanced GPU processing)
-VR/AR development frameworks -
macOS 10.14
-Focused on productivity and aesthetics
-Full system-wide Dark Mode
-Stacks (auto-organizing desktop)
-Dynamic Wallpapers
-Screenshot utility, Continuity Camera
-First iOS apps on Mac: News, Stocks, Voice Memos, Home -
macOS 10.15
-Major architectural shift
-Dropped 32-bit app support entirely
-Killed iTunes → replaced with Music, TV, and --Podcasts
-Sidecar (iPad as second display)
-Screen Time
-Find My
-Catalyst apps from iPad to Mac -
macOS 11
First macOS built for Apple Silicon (M1 chip)
Major UI redesign:
-Transparent elements, rounded corners, new icons
-Control Center and Notification Center redesigned
Key features:
-Universal Apps (run on both Intel and M1)
-Rosetta 2 – seamless translation layer for Intel apps
-New Safari with customizable start page and better privacy
-Updated Messages, Maps, and Widgets -
macOS 12
Continued focus on cross-platform features:
-Universal Control (use one keyboard/mouse across Mac and iPad)
-AirPlay to Mac
-Shortcuts app comes to macOS
-Safari got a visual overhaul with tab groups and color-adaptive themes
-Focus Mode and Quick Note came from iOS 15
-iCloud+ features: Hide My Email, Private Relay -
macOS 13
-Stage Manager – a new multitasking system
-Continuity Camera – use your iPhone as a webcam
-System Settings – complete redesign (iOS-style layout, controversial)
-Passkeys (passwordless authentication)
-Enhanced Spotlight
-Freeform announced (released later)
-Focus on security, productivity, and collaboration -
macOS 14
Visual and experience improvements:
-Desktop Widgets (interactable + synced from iPhone)
-Game Mode – boosts performance for gaming
-Improved video conferencing overlays
-Enhanced Safari: profiles, web apps, and private -browsing locks
Other tweaks:
-Faster animations, smoother window handling
-More iOS-style lock screen behaviors -
macOS 15
-iPhone Mirroring: Use your iPhone directly from your Mac — interact with apps, receive notifications, hear audio.
-New Passwords app: Standalone app to manage passwords, passkeys, Wi-Fi credentials.
-Safari Highlights: AI-powered previews of webpages, improved Reading Mode.
-AI Writing Tools: Smart suggestions, rewrite, and summarize tools system-wide (part of Apple Intelligence, on supported devices).
-Enhanced Window Tiling: Snap windows to screen edges more easily and arrange them faster.