OS X Mavericks (version 10.9) is the 10th
major release of
macOS
macOS (; previously OS X and originally Mac OS X) is a Unix operating system developed and marketed by Apple Inc. since 2001. It is the primary operating system for Apple's Mac computers. Within the market of desktop and la ...
,
Apple Inc.'s
desktop and
server
Server may refer to:
Computing
*Server (computing), a computer program or a device that provides functionality for other programs or devices, called clients
Role
* Waiting staff, those who work at a restaurant or a bar attending customers and su ...
operating system
An operating system (OS) is system software that manages computer hardware, software resources, and provides common daemon (computing), services for computer programs.
Time-sharing operating systems scheduler (computing), schedule tasks for ef ...
for
Macintosh
The Mac (known as Macintosh until 1999) is a family of personal computers designed and marketed by Apple Inc., Apple Inc. Macs are known for their ease of use and minimalist designs, and are popular among students, creative professionals, and ...
computers. OS X Mavericks was announced on June 10, 2013, at
WWDC 2013, and was released on October 22, 2013, worldwide.
The update emphasized battery life,
Finder improvements, other improvements for
power user
A power user is a user of computers, software and other electronic devices, who uses advanced features of computer hardware, operating systems, programs, or websites which are not used by the average user. A power user might not have extensive tec ...
s, and continued
iCloud integration, as well as bringing more of Apple's
iOS apps to OS X. Mavericks, which was named after the
surfing location in
Northern California
Northern California (colloquially known as NorCal) is a geographic and cultural region that generally comprises the northern portion of the U.S. state of California. Spanning the state's northernmost 48 counties, its main population centers incl ...
, was the first in the series of OS X releases not only for being named for places in Apple's home state since earlier releases used the names of
big cats, but also for being the first one to be a free upgrade since
Mac OS X 10.1 "Puma".
It also removed some of the
skeuomorphic
A skeuomorph (also spelled skiamorph, ) is a derivative object that retains ornamental design cues (attributes) from structures that were necessary in the original. Skeuomorphs are typically used to make something new feel familiar in an effort ...
designs from
OS X Mountain Lion, and it is the final Mac operating system to feature the
Lucida Grande typeface as the standard system font since
Mac OS X Public Beta in 2000.
History
Apple announced OS X Mavericks on June 10, 2013, during the company's
Apple Worldwide Developers Conference
The Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) is an information technology conference held annually by Apple Inc. The conference is usually held at Apple Park in California. The event is usually used to showcase new software and technologies in t ...
(WWDC) keynote (which also introduced
iOS 7, a revised
MacBook Air, the sixth-generation
AirPort Extreme
The AirPort Extreme is a residential gateway combining the functions of a router, network switch, wireless access point and NAS as well as varied other functions, and one of Apple's former AirPort products. The latest model, the 6th generati ...
, the fifth-generation
AirPort Time Capsule
The AirPort Time Capsule (originally named Time Capsule) is a wireless router which was sold by Apple Inc., featuring network-attached storage (NAS) and a residential gateway router, and is one of Apple's AirPort products. They are, essential ...
, and a redesigned
Mac Pro
Mac Pro is a series of workstations and servers for professionals that are designed, developed and marketed by Apple Inc. since 2006. The Mac Pro, by some performance benchmarks, is the most powerful computer that Apple offers. It is one of ...
). During a keynote on October 22, 2013, Apple announced that the official release of 10.9 on the Mac App Store would be available immediately, and that unlike previous versions of OS X, 10.9 would be available at no charge to all users running
Snow Leopard (10.6.8) or later.
On October 22, 2013, Apple offered free upgrades for life on OS X and
iWork.
System requirements
OS X Mavericks can run on any Mac that can run
OS X Mountain Lion; as with Mountain Lion, 2 GB of RAM, 8 GB of available storage, and
Mac OS X
macOS (; previously OS X and originally Mac OS X) is a Unix operating system developed and marketed by Apple Inc. since 2001. It is the primary operating system for Apple's Mac computers. Within the market of desktop and lap ...
10.6.8 (Snow Leopard) or later are required. Mavericks and later versions are all available for free.
The full list of compatible models:
*
iMac (Mid 2007 or later)
*
MacBook (Aluminum, Late 2008 or later)
*
MacBook Air (Late 2008 or later)
*
MacBook Pro (Mid 2007 or later)
*
Mac Mini
Mac Mini (stylized as Mac mini) is a small form factor desktop computer developed and marketed by Apple Inc. , it is positioned between the consumer all-in-one iMac and the professional Mac Studio and Mac Pro as one of four current Mac deskto ...
(Early 2009 or later)
*
Mac Pro
Mac Pro is a series of workstations and servers for professionals that are designed, developed and marketed by Apple Inc. since 2006. The Mac Pro, by some performance benchmarks, is the most powerful computer that Apple offers. It is one of ...
(Early 2008 or later)
*
Xserve
Xserve is a line of rack unit computers designed by Apple Inc. for use as servers. Introduced in 2002, it was Apple's first designated server hardware design since the Apple Network Server in 1996. In the meantime, ordinary Power Macintosh G3 a ...
(Early 2009)
System features
The menu bar and the
Dock
A dock (from Dutch ''dok'') is the area of water between or next to one or a group of human-made structures that are involved in the handling of boats or ships (usually on or near a shore) or such structures themselves. The exact meaning vari ...
are available on each display. Additionally, AirPlay compatible displays such as the
Apple TV
An apple is an edible fruit produced by an apple tree (''Malus domestica''). Apple trees are cultivated worldwide and are the most widely grown species in the genus '' Malus''. The tree originated in Central Asia, where its wild ancesto ...
can be used as an external display.
Mission Control has been updated to organize and switch between Desktop workspaces independently between multiple displays.
OS X Mavericks introduced App Nap, which sleeps apps that are not currently visible.
Any app running on Mavericks can be eligible for this feature by default.
Compressed Memory is a
virtual memory compression system which automatically
compresses data from inactive apps when approaching maximum
memory
Memory is the faculty of the mind by which data or information is encoded, stored, and retrieved when needed. It is the retention of information over time for the purpose of influencing future action. If past events could not be remember ...
capacity.
Timer coalescing
Timer coalescing is a computer system energy-saving technique that reduces central processing unit (CPU) power consumption by reducing the precision of software timers used for synchronization of process wake-ups, minimizing the number of times th ...
is a feature that enhances energy efficiency by reducing
CPU
A central processing unit (CPU), also called a central processor, main processor or just processor, is the electronic circuitry that executes instructions comprising a computer program. The CPU performs basic arithmetic, logic, controlling, a ...
usage by up to 72 percent.
This allows MacBooks to run for longer periods of time and desktop Macs to run cooler.
Apple now supports
OpenGL 4.1 Core Profile and
OpenCL
OpenCL (Open Computing Language) is a software framework, framework for writing programs that execute across heterogeneous computing, heterogeneous platforms consisting of central processing units (CPUs), graphics processing units (GPUs), d ...
1.2.
Server Message Block version 2 (SMB2) is now the default protocol for sharing files, rather than
AFP. This is to increase performance and cross-platform compatibility.
Some skeuomorphs, such as the leather texture in Calendar, the legal pad theme of Notes, and the book-like appearance of Contacts, have been removed from the
UI.
iCloud Keychain
iCloud is a cloud service from Apple Inc. launched on October 12, 2011 as a successor to MobileMe. , the service had an estimated 850 million users, up from 782 million users in 2016.
iCloud enables users to sync their data to the cloud, inc ...
stores a user's usernames, passwords and Wi-Fi passwords to allow the user to fill this information into forms when needed.
The system has native
LinkedIn
LinkedIn () is an American business and employment-oriented online service that operates via websites and mobile apps. Launched on May 5, 2003, the platform is primarily used for professional networking and career development, and allows job se ...
sharing integration.
IPoTB (Internet Protocol over Thunderbolt Bridge)
Thunderbolt networking is supported in Mavericks. This feature allows the user to quickly transfer a large amount of data between two Macs.
Notification Center
Notification Center is a feature in iOS and macOS that provides an overview of alerts from applications. It displays notifications until the user completes an associated action, rather than requiring instant resolution. Users may choose what ...
allows the user to reply to notifications instantly,
allows websites to send notifications, and, when the user wakes up a Mac that was in a sleep state, displays a summary of missed notifications before the machine is unlocked. Some system alerts, such as low battery, removal of drives without ejecting, and a failed
Time Machine backup have been moved to
Notification Center
Notification Center is a feature in iOS and macOS that provides an overview of alerts from applications. It displays notifications until the user completes an associated action, rather than requiring instant resolution. Users may choose what ...
.
The "traffic light" close, minimize, and maximize
window
A window is an opening in a wall, door, roof, or vehicle that allows the exchange of light and may also allow the passage of sound and sometimes air. Modern windows are usually glazed or covered in some other transparent or translucent mat ...
buttons have appeared somewhat brighter than
Mac OS X Lion and
OS X Mountain Lion.
App features
Finder gets enhancements such as
tabs,
full-screen support, and document
tags.
Pinch-to-zoom and swipe-to-navigate-history gestures have been removed, although both are supported anywhere else.
The new
iBooks application allows the user to read books purchased through the iBooks Store. The app also allows the user to purchase new content from the iBooks Store,
and a night mode to make it easier to read in dark environments.
The new
Maps application allows the user the same functionality as in
iOS Maps.
The
Calendar
A calendar is a system of organizing days. This is done by giving names to periods of time, typically days, weeks, months and years. A date is the designation of a single and specific day within such a system. A calendar is also a phy ...
app has enhancements such as being able to add
Facebook
Facebook is an online social media and social networking service owned by American company Meta Platforms. Founded in 2004 by Mark Zuckerberg with fellow Harvard College students and roommates Eduardo Saverin, Andrew McCollum, Dust ...
events, and an estimate for the travel time to an event.
The
Safari
A safari (; ) is an overland journey to observe wild animals, especially in eastern or southern Africa. The so-called "Big Five" game animals of Africa – lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant, and Cape buffalo – particularly form an impor ...
browser has a significantly enhanced JavaScript performance which Apple claims is faster than
Chrome and
Firefox. A Top Sites view allows the user to quickly access the most viewed sites by default. However, the user can pin or remove websites from the view. The sidebar now allows the user to view their bookmarks, reading list and shared links. Safari can also auto-generate random passwords and remember them through iCloud Keychain.
Other applications found in Mavericks
*AirPort Utility
*
App Store
*Archive Utility
*Audio MIDI Setup
*Automator
*Bluetooth File Exchange
*
Boot Camp Assistant
*
Calculator
An electronic calculator is typically a portable electronic device used to perform calculations, ranging from basic arithmetic to complex mathematics.
The first solid-state electronic calculator was created in the early 1960s. Pocket-sized ...
*Chess
*ColorSync Utility
*Console
*
Contacts
*
Dictionary
A dictionary is a listing of lexemes from the lexicon of one or more specific languages, often arranged alphabetically (or by radical and stroke for ideographic languages), which may include information on definitions, usage, etymologie ...
*
Digital Color Meter
This is a list of macOS built-in apps and system components.
Applications
App Store
The Mac App Store is macOS's digital distribution platform for macOS apps, created and maintained by Apple Inc. based on the iOS version, the platform was an ...
*
Disk Utility
*
DVD Player
A DVD player is a device that plays DVDs produced under both the DVD-Video and DVD-Audio technical standards, two different and incompatible standards. Some DVD players will also play audio CDs. DVD players are connected to a television to ...
*
FaceTime
*
Font Book
Font Book is a font manager by Apple Inc. for its macOS operating system. It was first released with Mac OS X Panther in 2003.
Features
It is opened by default whenever the user clicks on a new .otf or .ttf font file. The user can view the ...
*
Game Center
*
GarageBand
GarageBand is a line of digital audio workstations developed by Apple Inc. for macOS, iPadOS, and iOS devices that allows users to create music or podcasts. GarageBand is developed by Apple for macOS, and was once part of the iLife softwar ...
(may not be pre-installed)
*
Grab
*
Grapher
*
iMovie
iMovie (known at times as iMovie HD) is a preinstalled video editing application developed by Apple Inc. for macOS, iOS, and iPadOS devices.
It was originally released in 1999 as a Mac OS 8 application bundled with the first FireWire-ena ...
(may not be pre-installed)
*
iTunes
iTunes () is a software program that acts as a media player, media library, mobile device management utility, and the client app for the iTunes Store. Developed by Apple Inc., it is used to purchase, play, download, and organize digital mu ...
*Image Capture
*Ink (can only be accessed by connecting a graphics tablet to your
Mac)
*
Keychain Access
*
Keynote
A keynote in public speaking is a talk that establishes a main underlying theme. In corporate or commercial settings, greater importance is attached to the delivery of a keynote speech or keynote address. The keynote establishes the framework fo ...
(may not be pre-installed)
*
Mail
The mail or post is a system for physically transporting postcards, letters, and parcels. A postal service can be private or public, though many governments place restrictions on private systems. Since the mid-19th century, national postal sys ...
*
Messages
*
Migration Assistant
*
Notes
*
Notification Center
Notification Center is a feature in iOS and macOS that provides an overview of alerts from applications. It displays notifications until the user completes an associated action, rather than requiring instant resolution. Users may choose what ...
*
Numbers (may not be pre-installed)
*
Pages
Page most commonly refers to:
* Page (paper), one side of a leaf of paper, as in a book
Page, PAGE, pages, or paging may also refer to:
Roles
* Page (assistance occupation), a professional occupation
* Page (servant), traditionally a young mal ...
(may not be pre-installed)
*
Photo Booth
A photo booth is a vending machine or modern kiosk that contains an automated, usually coin-operated, camera and film processor. Today, the vast majority of photo booths are digital.
History
The patent for the first automated photography ma ...
*
Preview
*
QuickTime Player
*
Reminders
*
Script Editor
A script editor is a member of the production team of scripted television and radio programmes, usually dramas and comedies. The script editor has many responsibilities including finding new script writers, developing storyline and series ideas wi ...
*
Stickies
*
System Information
*
Terminal
Terminal may refer to:
Computing Hardware
* Terminal (electronics), a device for joining electrical circuits together
* Terminal (telecommunication), a device communicating over a line
* Computer terminal, a set of primary input and output devi ...
*
TextEdit
*
Time Machine
*
VoiceOver Utility
*
X11/XQuartz (may not be pre-installed)
Removed functionality
The
Open Transport
Open Transport was the name given by Apple Inc. to its implementation of the Unix-originated System V STREAMS networking stack. Based on code licensed from Mentat's Portable Streams product, Open Transport was built to provide the classic Mac OS ...
API has been removed. USB syncing of calendar, contacts and other information to iOS devices has been removed, instead requiring the use of iCloud.
QuickTime
QuickTime is an extensible multimedia framework developed by Apple Inc., capable of handling various formats of digital video, picture, sound, panoramic images, and interactivity. Created in 1991, the latest Mac version, QuickTime X, is a ...
10 no longer supports many older video codecs and converts them to the ProRes format when opened. Older video codecs cannot be viewed in Quick Look. Apple also removed the ability to sync mobile iCloud Notes if iOS devices were upgraded from iOS 8 to iOS 9, effectively forcing all Mavericks users to update or upgrade their computers.
Reception
OS X Mavericks has received mixed reviews.
One complaint is that Apple removed the local sync services, which forces users to get iCloud to sync iOS devices with the desktop OS.
However, this feature has since returned in the 10.9.3 and
ITunes
iTunes () is a software program that acts as a media player, media library, mobile device management utility, and the client app for the iTunes Store. Developed by Apple Inc., it is used to purchase, play, download, and organize digital mu ...
11.2 updates.
The Verge stated that OS X Mavericks was “a gentle evolution of the Mac operating system”.
Release history
Timeline
See also
*
Aqua (user interface)
*
macOS version history
*
List of Macintosh software
The following is a list of Macintosh Software – notable computer applications for current macOS operating systems.
Video
For software designed for the classic Mac OS, see List of old Macintosh software.
Anti-malware software
The software lis ...
References
{{Authority control
9
X86-64 operating systems
2013 software
Computer-related introductions in 2013