Released late in 2019, macOS Catalina® arrived as the successor to Mojave®. Both new Mac® users and veterans alike should take a moment to familiarize themselves with this round of Apple® upgrades. Here’s a brief rundown of what you’ll find with Apple’s newest operating system. 

What’s Compatible

Like any of the Apple upgrades of the past, be prepared for potential compatibility issues. Not all Mac products are compatible with macOS Catalina.

Here are the Mac devices that are compatible:

• MacBook® (2015 or newer)

• MacBook Air® (2012 or newer)

• MacBook Pro® (2012 or newer)

• Mac mini® (2012 or newer)

• iMac® (2012 or newer)

• iMac Pro® (2017 or newer)

• Mac Pro® (2013 or newer)

Thankfully, most machines released in 2012 or later are compatible. For Mac products not listed, you can continue running Sierra® or High Sierra; however, Apple support for Sierra ended in October of 2019, and support for High Sierra will likely end in late 2020.

Updates & Features

Aside from performance improvements, there are several changes to apps. Most significantly, the longstanding iTunes® app has been removed and replaced with three separate apps: Music, Podcasts, and Apple TV. Some of the management capabilities of iTunes are still accessible through Finder.

After years of waiting, iPad® apps can be ported to run on Mac. With the introduction of Mac Catalyst, iOS apps like Twitter and Goodnotes 5 will be available.

32-bit vs. 64-bit Apps

With macOS Catalina, 32-bit apps will no longer run. 32-bit vs 64-bit is a question of memory processing, and a 64-bit app is designed to handle more data faster. Any 32-bit apps you may have are likely outdated because 32-bit computing is an older, inefficient technology. When you install macOS Catalina, you’ll receive a warning for any 32-bit apps that will need to be replaced.

If you’re updating your current Mac or buying a new one, always seek advice first. If you need repairs or want to upgrade to a machine compatible with the new Apple upgrades, look no further than Experimax Canton in Wayne County, MI. These Mac experts will get you up and running in no time with a one-year limited OEM warranty included in the purchase of Mac computers or mobile devices. Call them at (734) 927-4047 or visit their website for more information.