Big Sur is big news. After several releases under the macOS 10.XX line, Apple finally moved onto Mac OS 11. Fans have been wondering for years: will Apple ever release a Mac 11 operating system? The company never offered a clear answer to that question… until this fall, when Big Sur was announced under the big number: eleven.
We still don’t know the official date of the release. The new Mac OS is not available for general downloads and installation. But we have the details from Apple’s announcement, and we can rely on the experience of webmasters, who tested the Beta version of the OS.
Let’s go through all you need to know before the new Apple OS arrives. We’ll discuss the potential release date, the main features that make it different from its predecessor, and possible macOS Big Sur issues that you might encounter as a user.
When Is the Release Date for the New Mac OS?
Apple usually releases its OS upgrades in fall. That’s the info we got when they introduced Mac 11: coming this fall. But when exactly will we get access to the official upgrade? If we take Catalina as an example, it was released on October 7, 2019. We already passed that date in 2020, and there’s still no sign of the big release.
Apple will have an important event on October 13 (the “Hi, Speed” event). Rumors say that’s exactly when the company will introduce the new Mac OS. We can’t know that for sure. For now, all we can do is wait and rely on the impressions of beta testers to imagine how the system will work.
Big Sur Main Features: How Is the Mac 11 OS Different from Catalina?
From palette options to icon designs, all visual features of the new OS are getting an upgrade. Let’s see what changes we’ll get with this upgrade.
- Messages are a big surprise. Apple is focused on a cross-platform experience and even more seamless integration between devices. You’re getting a complete version of a messenger on your computer. You can chat with friends and share videos, images, gifs, and memojis.
- You won’t have to open the browser or an app to get important information that you frequently access. Apple added widget-based functions on the desktop, which give you easier access to notifications, settings, and other details (you get to personalize the way this part of the desktop looks).
- Apps are getting more convenient toolbars and full-height sidebars. The app windows look similar to those you see on an iPad. This type of design gets rid of distractions and puts the most important information in focus.
- We’re seeing important changes in the Dock, too. Apple is introducing a uniform shape for all app icons. This may make it more difficult for you to find the right app at first. You may be used to the rectangle shape of Pages and circles for Safari and Google Chrome. With the new design, all app icons will have the same shape, but they will still be recognizable by their design.
- Let’s talk about Apple’s Maps. They are finally getting a major upgrade, which may put them ahead of Google Maps. The new design will make it easier for you to find locations and directions. You’ll be able to plan an entire trip through the app.
- Safari is getting better, too. It will come with better privacy controls, which will be applied to all extensions. Speaking of extensions, we’re getting more of them in a dedicated section in the App Store! Plus, Safari is supposed to get faster than ever with the new update. Beta testers are already bragging about its speed and battery-savvy nature. The start page will offer personalization features. You can choose what you see on it: iCloud Tabs, Favorites, Reading List, Privacy Report, or Siri Suggestions. It seems like we’ll finally abandon Google Chrome on our Mac computers. Or is it too early to claim that?
- The Photos app will get better editing capacity with the new macOS. This feature is rarely highlighted in the announcements, but we’re excited to see what it brings.
What Issues Can We Expect from the New macOS?
The Mac OS 11 deserves the number it carries. It introduces massive changes in appearance and functionality. It may take users a while to get used to it. Will they face any issues during and after the installation process?
Big Sur beta testers identified a few problems that Apple is expected to fix.
For some of them, the operating system won’t install. In case you face this issue when the new macOS becomes available, you should first check the upgrade’s compatibility with your device. Apple gives a list of computers that can run Big Sur. If yours is older, you’ll have to stay with Catalina.
Some beta users ended up with the wrong version of the OS. This is another thing you’ll need to check in case you get stuck during the installation process. Space may be another issue. As usual, you need to have at least 15GB of free space on your Mac to install the upgrade. Apple will come out with official recommendations for the free space as soon as the upgrade becomes available.
Freezing issues are also possible with new upgrades. Beta users report that the new macOS often freezes, and then an unexpected system restart follows. Hopefully, Apple will fix this issue before the official release. We also hope to see improvements in the energy performance, which seems to be affected by the upgrade. Users report their batteries getting drained to a low point much faster than usual. We don’t know what particular apps cause the issue. If the problem occurs, we might need to stop using some of our favorite applications until they get a fix.
Overall, the issues don’t seem that serious. Mac users had greater trouble getting used to Catalina, which dropped the support 32-bit apps without giving them a single chance. App developers had no other choice but to cancel their projects, turn them into 64-bit apps, or invite their users to rely on the online versions of the services. This was a major issue for users who depended on Photoshop and other important programs with 32-bit components. So far, we’re not seeing such serious problems with Big Sur.
Are You Excited?
We all are!
MacOS 11 will bring many changes, which will make our working environment even more productive and convenient.
We know that the launch will be soon, but we don’t have an exact date yet. But fall 2020 is coming to an end, so Mac users won’t have to wait much longer to get Big Sur on their computers.
Author Bio:
James Dorian is a technical copywriter. He is a tech geek who knows a lot about modern apps that will make your work more productive. James reads tons of online blogs on technology, business, and ways to become a real pro in our modern world of innovations.
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