Each time a new operating system arrives, there comes an ubiquitous head-to-head battle: is the new one any better than previous one? Is upgrading worth the effort?

Mar 12, 2020  Find the appropriate download link in the upgrade instructions for each macOS version: macOS Catalina, macOS Mojave, or macOS High Sierra Installers for each of these macOS versions download directly to your Applications folder as an app named Install macOS Catalina, Install macOS Mojave, or Install macOS High Sierra.

Today we’re going to answer these questions (and a few more) in regards to the new macOS 10.13 High Sierra and its older twin, macOS Sierra. We’ll drill into new features that are worth upgrading as well as downsides if you decide to install macOS High Sierra Beta. At the same time, we’ll have a closer look at regular Sierra version, which may just be strong enough to stick to many Mac users’ preferences.

So, let’s put all cards on the table and go for an unbiased macOS High Sierra vs macOS Sierra comparison. After a bit of fact-checking, we’ll leave it to you whether or not to upgrade to macOS High Sierra Beta.

Reasons you should upgrade to macOS High Sierra Beta

The macOS 10.13 High Sierra packs a bunch of new features that promise more capabilities for gaming, virtual and augmented reality. Then, there’s a series of small refinements that capitalize on a better, faster and more powerful UI. Here’s why you should probably upgrade to macOS High Sierra.

A better file system

One of the main arguments for the macOS High Sierra is, undoubtedly, the improved file system, which has received a significant speed boost. The new APFS (Apple File System), as it is now called, completely reorganizes how data is stored and processed, making it easy for users to copy files faster. For instance, the new copying algorithm allows to send a file to a new location, without storing both copies on drive. The Time Machine has got more flexible and now requires less drive space to operate. From now on your files are better protected against accidental crashes, which is obviously a strong selling point.

Suggested Specs For Mac Os High Sierra Reddit

Enhanced graphics, VR and AR in Metal 2

If you’re looking for just one reason to upgrade to macOS High Sierra Beta, this is it. Metal 2 is the improved technology wrapped around GPU settings and, basically, an accelerator for your apps. It’s really a game-changer in macOS High Sierra, leveraging powerful tools for developers that can now benefit from external GPU support.

New high-end editing tools in Photos

The Photos app has evolved with a set of new tools for easy, in-depth editing — Curves, Selective Colors — just to name a few. Amusingly enough, you can now launch external editing tools, like Photoshop, right inside Photos. More live effects and a new sidebar to organize your collections should make photo business more fun in macOS High Sierra.

HD videos that take less space

The new macOS High Sierra also introduces some great space-saving techniques, while maintaining the video quality as high as ever. High-Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC) is finally supported, which brings video compression to the next level. To put it short, your smaller size videos will look uber cool in Ultra HD.

To free up more disk space for High Sierra, clean it up with CleanMyMac X.

Safari takes on speed

When run on macOS High Sierra, Safari could be the fastest browser ever invented. Period. Not to mention it also got safer and a lot less annoying, by giving users more power to block their unwanted ads.

Siri gets smarter

Recently named the world’s most popular voice assistant, Siri has moved one grade up in macOS High Sierra. Compared to the previous OS, it speaks in a more natural voice and can even DJ at your parties. Well, at least create your favorite playlists and answer music-related questions.

Of course, these are just cherries on top of the new macOS 10.13 High Sierra. If you’re already converted by now and can’t wait to hit the Install button, here are some sobering points that may make you change your mind.

Reasons you should stick with macOS Sierra (for now)

When analyzing the new features of macOS High Sierra, everything sounds great in theory. However, keep in mind that, for now, the download is only available to Apple Developers and is in Beta Version, which says a lot of possible issues and bugs will inevitably pop up.

What’s more, depending on how old your Mac is, it’s possible that it won’t be able to support all the improved capabilities that macOS High Sierra brings to the table. From this standpoint, if you’re not willing to risk your system to help Apple test High Sierra, you might be safer with regular macOS Sierra until the official version of macOS 10.13 High Sierra is released.

Most experts agree that the current update looks less of a breakthrough, but rather a scrupulous rework under the hood. That means if you aren’t a software developer or a gamer, you might not even notice the difference.

And the last reason, 32-bit apps will no longer be supported in macOS High Sierra. It concerns quite a few apps, really, (ones that don’t have a 64-bit version) but if some of your favorites are 32-bit, you are really out of luck.


Feature Comparison

macOS Sierra
macOS High Sierra
Size on drive4.78 GB
about 3 GB

Graphics
Metal (API) basic
Metal 2, perfect for gaming

Video
H.264 compression
H.265, 40% Ultra HD

Photos
Easy photo organization, face recognition
Built-in advanced editor, more effects added

File System
HFS+, used for 20 years
APFS, faster file operation

If you are not entirely convinced about switching and yet want your Mac to run better, you can look into some simpler solutions. After all, upgrading your Mac’s OS is a big move, a die-and-reborn type — you cannot predict all possible risks. At the same time, most Macs require cleaning and optimization after some months of use, like repairing disk permissions or re-indexing Spotlight search. This way you’ll boost the performance of your current OS.

How to speed up and optimize your Mac

Final tips before switching to macOS High Sierra

Suggested Specs For Mac Os High Sierra Reddit 2017

  1. Backup your most important data
  2. Remove junk from system folders — CleanMyMac X will do it in just minutes
  3. Update all your apps (by clicking Check for updates…)
  4. Delete large & old files to free up drive space

The latter can be done with CleanMyMac, the most popular Mac cleaning app in the world, that finds 74 GB of junk on an average Mac. Check it out — you can download it for free and clean 500 MB of system junk free of charge.

Thanks for getting to the bottom of this article. Hope it helps, folks. Stay tuned!

These might also interest you:

  • How to Use Siri in macOS and What to Ask
macOS High Sierra. macOS High Sierra (version 10.13) is the fourteenth major release of macOS, Apple Inc.'s desktop operating system for Macintosh computers. The successor to macOS Sierra, it was announced at the WWDC 2017 on June 5, 2017. The name 'High Sierra' refers to the High Sierra region in California.
A.

Is Mac OS Sierra any good?

High Sierra is far from Apple's most exciting macOS update. But macOS is in good shape as a whole. It's a solid, stable, functioning operating system, and Apple is setting it up to be in good shape for years to come.

  • Is Mac an operating system?

    In 1984, Apple debuted the operating system that is now known as the 'Classic' Mac OS with its release of the original Macintosh System Software. The current macOS is preinstalled with every Mac and is updated annually. It is the basis of Apple's current system software for its other devices, iOS, watchOS, and tvOS.

  • What are the Mac operating systems in order?

    Box/Mac App Store artwork for every version of macOS. Left to right: Cheetah/Puma (1), Jaguar (2), Panther (3), Tiger (4), Leopard (5), Snow Leopard (6), Lion (7), Mountain Lion (8), Mavericks (9), Yosemite (10), El Capitan (11), Sierra (12), High Sierra (13).

  • What are the Mac OS versions?

    • OS X 10 beta: Kodiak.
    • OS X 10.0: Cheetah.
    • OS X 10.1: Puma.
    • OS X 10.2: Jaguar.
    • OS X 10.3 Panther (Pinot)
    • OS X 10.4 Tiger (Merlot)
    • OS X 10.4.4 Tiger (Chardonnay)
    • OS X 10.5 Leopard (Chablis)

Mac Os Mojave

B.

Is my Mac compatible with Sierra?

The MacOS Sierra Compatibility List. The next version of Mac system software is called macOS Sierra, it's versioned as Mac OS X 10.12, and it will be available as a free download for all compatible Macs in the fall.

  • How can you tell how old a Macbook is?

    1. On your MacBook, go to the Apple menu (upper-left corner) > About this Mac.
    2. In the window that pops up, you'll see a serial number. Highlight it and copy it.
    3. Head to Apple's Check Coverage page and paste the serial number.

  • How much RAM does High Sierra use?

    As to how much RAM you'll need, Apple says 2 GB are sufficient, but I'd take that with a grain of salt. I'd want to have at least 4 GB, or more if possible. My MacBook has 8 GB, and that seems to me the minimum to be comfortable running multiple apps, but if your use is more limited, 4 GB should be fine.

  • Is Mac OS High Sierra free?

    macOS High Sierra now available as a free update. macOS High Sierra brings powerful, new core storage, video and graphics technologies to the Mac. Cupertino, California — Apple today announced macOS High Sierra, the latest release of the world's most advanced desktop operating system, is now available as a free update.
1.

Can I upgrade to High Sierra?

Make sure you're ready to upgrade. Before you upgrade, we recommend that you back up your Mac. Then, if your Mac is running OS X Mountain Lion 10.8 or later, you can upgrade directly to macOS High Sierra.
2.

What Macs are compatible with El Capitan?

These Mac models are compatible with OS X El Capitan:
  • MacBook (Early 2015)
  • MacBook (Late 2008 Aluminum, or Early 2009 or newer)
  • MacBook Pro (Mid/Late 2007 or newer)
  • MacBook Air (Late 2008 or newer)
  • Mac mini (Early 2009 or newer)
  • iMac (Mid 2007 or newer)
  • Mac Pro (Early 2008 or newer)
  • Xserve (Early 2009)
3.

Is Microsoft Office 2011 compatible with Sierra?

Microsoft Office for Mac 2011 Not Supported on macOS High Sierra. macOS High Sierra is due to be released to the general public today, and it's a good idea to prepare your Mac before upgrading. Well, as of macOS 10.13 High Sierra, Microsoft is dropping support for Office 2011.
4.

What operating system is 10.9 5?

OS X Mavericks (version 10.9) is the tenth major release of OS X (now named macOS), Apple Inc.'s desktop and server operating system for Macintosh computers. OS X Mavericks was announced on June 10, 2013, at WWDC 2013, and was released on October 22, 2013 worldwide.
5.

Mac Os High Sierra 10.13.6

Is my Mac compatible with Sierra?

The MacOS Sierra Compatibility List. The next version of Mac system software is called macOS Sierra, it's versioned as Mac OS X 10.12, and it will be available as a free download for all compatible Macs in the fall.
6.

What does Macos High Sierra do?

macOS High Sierra. macOS High Sierra (version 10.13) is the fourteenth major release of macOS, Apple Inc.'s desktop operating system for Macintosh computers. The successor to macOS Sierra, it was announced at the WWDC 2017 on June 5, 2017. The name 'High Sierra' refers to the High Sierra region in California.
7.

Is Mac OS High Sierra free?

macOS High Sierra now available as a free update. macOS High Sierra brings powerful, new core storage, video and graphics technologies to the Mac. Cupertino, California — Apple today announced macOS High Sierra, the latest release of the world's most advanced desktop operating system, is now available as a free update.
8.

Is Mac an operating system?

In 1984, Apple debuted the operating system that is now known as the 'Classic' Mac OS with its release of the original Macintosh System Software. The current macOS is preinstalled with every Mac and is updated annually. It is the basis of Apple's current system software for its other devices, iOS, watchOS, and tvOS.
9.

What are the Mac operating systems in order?

Box/Mac App Store artwork for every version of macOS. Left to right: Cheetah/Puma (1), Jaguar (2), Panther (3), Tiger (4), Leopard (5), Snow Leopard (6), Lion (7), Mountain Lion (8), Mavericks (9), Yosemite (10), El Capitan (11), Sierra (12), High Sierra (13).
10.

Can I buy a Mac operating system?

If you need to purchase Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard, you may order it from this page. The current version of the Mac operating system is macOS High Sierra. Note: Some OS X Snow Leopard features require an Apple ID; terms apply. Some features require a compatible Internet service provider; fees may apply.
11.

How much is Mac operating system?

Prices of Apple's Mac OS X have long been on the wane. After four releases that cost $129, Apple dropped the operating system's upgrade price to $29 with 2009's OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard, and then to $19 with last year's OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion.
12.Suggested Specs For Mac Os High Sierra Reddit

What are the Mac OS versions?

  • OS X 10 beta: Kodiak.
  • OS X 10.0: Cheetah.
  • OS X 10.1: Puma.
  • OS X 10.2: Jaguar.
  • OS X 10.3 Panther (Pinot)
  • OS X 10.4 Tiger (Merlot)
  • OS X 10.4.4 Tiger (Chardonnay)
  • OS X 10.5 Leopard (Chablis)
13.

Is Mac OS Sierra any good?

High Sierra is far from Apple's most exciting macOS update. But macOS is in good shape as a whole. It's a solid, stable, functioning operating system, and Apple is setting it up to be in good shape for years to come.
14.

What Macs can run high Sierra?

These Mac models are compatible with macOS High Sierra:
  • MacBook (Late 2009 or newer)
  • MacBook Pro (Mid 2010 or newer)
  • MacBook Air (Late 2010 or newer)
  • Mac mini (Mid 2010 or newer)
  • iMac (Late 2009 or newer)
  • Mac Pro (Mid 2010 or newer)
15.

Is the Mac OS Sierra free?

2. MacOS Sierra is a free upgrade and works on any Mac dating back to 2010, and on MacBooks and iMacs from 2009. Older hardware will still work with OS X 10.11 El Capitan, which you're probably using now. Some new features may not work on older Macs that can run the OS, however.

Suggested Specs For Mac Os High Sierra Reddit

16.

Can I upgrade from El Capitan to High Sierra?

If you're using OS X El Capitan v10.11.5 or later, High Sierra conveniently downloads in the background, making it even easier to upgrade your Mac. When the download has completed, you receive a notification indicating that High Sierra is ready to be installed. Click Install in the notification to get started.

Updated: 26th September 2018

⇐ ⇐ Skype For Mac High Sierra 10.13 6
⇒ ⇒ Video Editor For Mac High Sierra