macOS High Sierra (version 10.13) is the fourteenth major release of macOS desktop and server operating system for MAC computers. The OS is mostly about software refinements and it also lays the groundwork for future innovations in the worlds of VR (virtual reality) and AR (augmented reality). With macOS High Sierra, Apple says it is focusing on the basics such as data, video, and graphics.
System Requirement
macOS High Sierra has the same requirements as its predecessor:
- iMac: late 2009 or newer
- Macbook/ Macbook Retina : late 2009 or newer
- Macbook Pro : mid-2010 or newer : late 2010 or newer.
- Macbook Air : Mid 2010 or newer
- Mac Mini : 2010 or newer.
- Mac Pro : mid-2010 or newer
- iMac Pro : 2017
There are cool features in Photos , Notes and Safari 11 has controls for autoplay videos.
Whats New on High Sierra
A new file system
Ever since System 8, the Mac has used the HFS+ file system to keep our documents and directories running smoothly, but at last year’s WWDC, a new Apple File System (APFS) was announced. But where the changes to iOS are mostly behind the scenes, you’ll really get it see it in action in the new macOS.
One of the key features of High Sierra, APFS will be new the new default file system, bringing an advanced 64-bit architecture and a responsive design to cut down on the time it takes to do common tasks. APFS also brings some heavy-duty security, including built‑in encryption, crash‑safe protections, and simplified data backup on the go . Its designed for flash technology, and is designed to make common tasks like duplicating a file and finding the size of a folder’s contents faster.
APFS works with SSDs, and when you upgrade to High Sierra, the SSD will automatically be converted from HFS+ to APFS. APFS does not work with Fusion Drives and hard drives, so those storage devices will continue to use HFS+.
APFS is Super Responsive and will bring major performance improvements for Macs.
Better Photos
macOS High Sierra gives Photos an updated sidebar and new editing tools. Photos has rapidly become one of the most used apps on the Macs, and in High Sierra it looks like the users will be spending even more time with it. A host of new features await the users in the new OS, including looped Live Photos, and new Memories categories. It will also be easier to identify who’s in your photos with more accurate People identification and cross-device syncing for albums. There’s also an expanded import view that shows all past imports in chronological order, and a new selection counter keeps track of everything that’s been selected to make it easier to organise your albums . Apple have now partnered with third-party apps to give you more publishing and printing options.
When it comes to photo editing, there are two new pro-level tools, including Curves for fine tuning colour and contrast, and Selective Colour, which is able to make any colour more saturated. Apple has also added a range of new professionally inspired filters to work with.
Safari
Apple’s browser always gets a tune-up whenever a new version of macOS comes out, but this time around the improvements coming in High Sierra actually make it the world’s fastest desktop browser. It features 80 percent faster JavaScript performance when compared to Chrome, which should help us surf way quicker.
A new autoplay blocking feature is able to detect websites that play video without your permission, putting a stop to it. Videos won’t run on a website until you press the play button
There’s one other new setting, which allows you to automatically use Safari Reader for every web article that supports it, without needing to click a button. With Safari Reader, you can view websites without ads, navigation, and other distractions, making it ideal for long-form web reading.
Better Video quality
We watch a lot of video on our Macs, and High Sierra is making the experience even better. In addition to supporting 4K where available, it’s also upgrading to the new industry standard, High Efficiency Video Coding (or H.265 for short). The new system compresses video up to 40 percent more the H.264, the current video standard. Under the new codec, videos will stream smoother and take up less space, both of which will make experience much more pleasant.
Metal 2
macOS High Sierra introduced Metal 2, the next-generation version of Apple’s Metal graphics API. Metal offers up to 10x better draw call throughput improvements like driver optimisations, indirect argument buffers, sampler arrays, resource heaps, and more. Metal 2 also brings support for something sorely missing from today’s Macs: virtual reality. High Sierra lets developers create interactive and immersive virtual reality experience on the Mac for the very first time.
Search in Mail has been improved in macOS High Sierra. When you search for an email, the messages most relevant to the search will be at the top of the list. The search algorithm takes into account mail you’ve read, senders you reply to, your VIP list, and more to decide which emails should come up first when searching.
Siri
In macOS High Sierra, Siri is much more musically inclined in both iOS 11 and macOS High Sierra. Siri learns your music tastes and makes music recommendations based on your past listening preferences.
Overall , macOS High Sierra is a major release which has a large set of amazing new features that we are all very eager to use and explore as the days go by . We would also love to hear from you about your experience with macOS High Sierra and that one feature that is a game changer for you .