The classic OS X 10.12, or rather macOS upgrade, introduced tons of features anyone would still want on their Mac. Why? Because, it's well-tested and secure. Now we'll take a quick look at the legendary macOS Sierra upgrade. (In case you want to upgrade your Mac to macOS 10.13 High Sierra, check out this guide.)
Why programmers & coders love Mac OS X: Mac build quality The quality of Apple machines plays a part. Developers spend a lot of time working with their computers, and most have pretty exacting.
Interestingly, it first brought Siri to your Mac. This is great news for everyone who’s already used to her help on iOS. Then, there’s Watch unlocking for Mac, there’s one-click Apple Pay, tabs in apps, and cross-device copypasting. Just to name a few.
So, if you were on the fence about upgrading to Sierra, and in fact, any newer OS, go right ahead. Your Mac deserves a refreshment.
As with the previous versions, macOS Sierra is available for a limited list of Mac models.
Here are the models of Macs that are compatible with macOS 10.12 and can upgrade to Sierra:
MacBook Pro | MacBook Air | Mac mini |
Mid 2010 or newer | Late 2010 or newer | Mid 2010 or newer |
Mac Pro® | MacBook | iMac |
Mid 2010 or newer | Late 2009 or newer | Late 2009 or newer |
If your current operating system is OS X Lion (10.7), you can skip a few versions, and upgrade directly to macOS High Sierra. To upgrade to Sierra from, say, Mavericks, you’ll have to consequently upgrade to Yosemite and then to El Capitan first.
These OS versions can upgrade to Sierra:
Here’s how to find out which OS version you’re running now:
Memory (RAM): 2 GB (preferably 4 GB)
Sierra is pretty lightweight, so you only need 2 GB of RAM to upgrade. Cool, eh?
Disk space: 8 GB of free space on drive.
In the same About this Mac menu select 'Storage' tab. In front of the multi-colored bar, you will see the phrase, 'X.XX GB free out of XX.XX GB.' If you don't have at least 8 GB of free space, you should delete some old files.
Before you update macOS, don’t forget to:
Clean up your Mac
This is essential if you want a fast and effortless update, and glitchless work of your new macOS. And it’s also pretty easy. To give your Mac a cleanup, you need to get rid of system junk, uninstall extra apps, and clean some old caches. If that sounds like a lot of work, you can get a Mac cleaner like CleanMyMac for the job.
As you can see, I have 8.56 GB worth of caches, obsolete language files, broken downloads. You'll feel great getting rid of them.
That will give your Mac a basic system cleanup, but CleanMyMac is going to come in handy after the update as well. It monitors your Mac’s health, helps you speed up the system and remove unnecessary apps (Trashing doesn’t fully uninstall apps, by the way).
Back up your Mac
This is basic common sense before any Mac software update you’d like to undertake. Why? Well, because sometimes updates happen less smoothly than you’d like them to. To make sure you have all your information and files saved up neatly, you need a backup. To back up your Mac, you need to activate Time Machine.
macOS Sierra is increasingly becoming a relic. Since 2020, the newest available macOS version is Big Sur. But it all comes down to hardware. Your Mac can only upgrade to the latest version its hardware can support. If your Mac is from around 2012 it can update as high up as to macOS Catalina. If your Mac is from 2010 or older, its limit is macOS High Sierra.
To download any new macOS and install it you’ll need to do the next:
1. Open System Preferences... in the Apple menu.
2. Click on Software Updates.
On top of the list you'll see the latest macOS version your Mac can download. In our case, it's macOS Big Sur.
Another way to do it is via the Mac App Store.
Wait for macOS download and installation. Your Mac will restart when it’s done.
Now you have a new OS.
For historic interest, this is how macOS Sierra looked back then when it was still available in the Mac App Store. Now, it can't be found there anymore.
For users of past operating systems Apple created a handy a list of macOS installers. They go as far back as to macOS Yosemite. The first 3 of them will open and start the update process automatically.
We hope this guide has been of use, and don’t forget to clean up your Mac and back it up before you get the classic macOS! Cheers.
Nothing extraneous, everything intentional. To create a high-performance system based on absolute flexibility and uncompromising utility, Mac Pro was designed from the inside out. It’s a tool built to remove barriers. So you can do your greatest work.
Building a workstation that delivers immense performance and modularity meant considering it as an integrated system. Through and through, Mac Pro is built to change with your needs.
A foundation for creation.
The starting point for Mac Pro, the stainless steel space frame accommodates a vast range of components and configurations. Extending from foot to handle, it provides support to the overall system and mounting points for interior components.
360 degrees of access.
A single entry point wasn’t enough. Remove the aluminum housing and you have total access to the system. The logic board is dual-sided, making it easy to add and remove components. Processor, graphics, and expansion on one side. Storage and memory on the other. Mac Pro is ready for customization when you are.
The extreme performance of Mac Pro requires a tremendously capable thermal system. Three axial fans quietly push air across the CPU and the GPUs, keeping them cool under even the most intensive workloads. On the opposite side, a blower pulls the air across the memory and storage and through the power supply, exhausting it out the back of the machine.
Three forged and machined aluminum pieces integrated into a single part, the housing is much more than a decorative shell. It provides rigidity to the space frame. It also acts as a tight seal for the internal cavity. Working with the fans, blower, and internal ducts, it creates distinct pressure zones to maximize the thermal capacity of the system.
Design inspired by nature.
The lattice pattern on Mac Pro is based on a naturally occurring phenomenon in molecular crystal structures. A network of three-dimensional interlocking hemispheres, it increases the surface area, optimizing airflow and structural rigidity.
More air than metal.
To create the structure, a spherical array is machined onto the internal and external surfaces of the aluminum. The result is a lightweight lattice pattern that maximizes airflow while creating an extremely rigid structure.
A powerful device by itself is limited unless its design takes into consideration the ways someone actually uses it. From the handles, latches, and top ports to the optional wheels and rack mount, all the components you interact with were created to work smoothly and intuitively. So you can work more efficiently than ever.
Stainless steel handles.
The rounded handles are comfortable to grip. Because they’re part of the space frame itself, Mac Pro is exceptionally solid and stable when it’s lifted or moved.
Top ports. Wheels. Top latch.
Two Thunderbolt 3 ports are placed conveniently on the top where you need them. Optional wheels make Mac Pro easy to transport across the set or from one studio to another. With a simple twist, the top latch releases the aluminum housing from the space frame, then serves as a handle to lift it, providing access to the entire system.
Rack mount.
Designed for rack workstation applications, tool-less slide rails support the most common rack sizes and depths. The rack enclosure features the 3D lattice pattern along with stainless steel handles, two USB-C ports, a power button, and a status indicator LED on the front.
Pair Mac Pro with Pro Display XDR from Apple to create the ultimate workstation and experience your projects on the first 32-inch Retina 6K display ever.
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