What’s New About the Apple Mac Yosemite Upgrade?

Apple enthusiasts around the world anxiously await the release of each new operating system, so expectations were high when the iPhone maker released a beta version of its new OS X 10.10 operating system, also known by the moniker Yosemite.

As in the past, the announcement was made at the Wordwide Developers Conference (WWDC), a popular gathering place for techies and business analysts alike. While the numbers guys have been busy debating the relative merits of the operating system and predicting how well it will sell, Apple fans worldwide have taken a more hands-on approach.

So what makes the new Yosemite operating system tick, and how likely are Mac fans to upgrade their systems? The new OS X 10.10 does have some compelling new features and benefits, and many Apple enthusiasts will be anxious to take advantage of them.

New Features
The beta release of the new Yosemite operating system garnered excitement for a number of reasons, not the least of which was the fact that it was the first time Apple had officially released an unfinished operating system since the OS X10.0 beta all the way back in 2000.

Fans lined up to preview the new Yosemite, and they were eager to download it as soon as it became available. The new OS is expected to give Apple fans a good preview of the future direction of the Mac, an irresistible enticement for any tech enthusiast.

The first thing Yosemite users will notice is a marked difference in the look of the new OS. The new operating system includes a number of designs users of iOS 7 will find familiar, including a stronger focus on content and a flatter interface. Yosemite users will also notice a certain translucency to the screen, along with layering of system software and installed applications.

Yosemite has also changed the look of the OS controls. Those controls are now located in the upper left-hand corner of the window. Overall, this gives the screen a flatter and less cluttered look.

Why Upgrade?
As with any operating system upgrade, the decision to upgrade is a highly personal one. Some early adopters have no doubt already made the switch, while others prefer to hold back and wait until a larger percentage of the Mac community has made the switch.

In many ways, the decision to upgrade will depend on how compelling users find the new features and benefits. Apple fans who are fans of iOS 7 may find upgrading to Yosemite more compelling, since it can provide a more streamlined look and feel across platforms. More casual users may prefer to wait awhile, compare notes with other Apple owners and upgrade when the time is right.

Minimum Requirements
No matter what your upgrade plans, you will need to make sure your current Mac meets the minimum system requirements for the new Yosemite operating system. As with any upgrade, knowing the requirements will help make the process much easier.

Fortunately for Mac fans, Apple’s goal is to make sure Yosemite can run on as many Macs as possible. Apple has publicly stated that one of the prerequisites for developers was to make sure any Mac capable of running OS X Mavericks could also run Yosemite.

The other good news is that the new Yosemite operating system does not include any new hardware requirements. If you have any of the following Macs, you should be able to run Yosemite successfully.

. MacBook Air circa late-2008 or newer
. MacBook from late 2008 or later
. MacBook Pro no older than mid-2007
. iMac mid-2007 or later
. Mac Mini from early 2009 on
. Mac Pro 9 2008 or later
. Xserve from early 2009 or later

Your Mac will also need to have at least 2GB RAM and 8GB of free drive space. As with all operating system upgrades, while Yosemite will run on 2GB RAM, it is best to have at least 4GB installed. The extra RAM will make the OS run more efficiently and let you get more done. More free drive space is better as well; while 8GB is the stated minimum, the more free space you have the better Yosemite will perform. More space will also allow you to download optional features and install more applications.

Whether you are new to the Apple world or an old hand, the Yosemite operating system is a major upgrade. Apple fans have been waiting for this new release for some time now, and you and your Mac may want to join in on the fun.