macOS Sequoia 15: Apple’s new operating system – upgrade or wait?

17 Sep by Marcus Schmahl | 3,3 / 5,0 | Approximate reading time: 5 Minutes

Apple macOS Sequoia 15 is coming soon in Beta - Do we update or wait?  ·  Source: Apple

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macOS Sequoia was unveiled at the annual WWDC in May 2024 – and now it is available for everyone to install! At the focus of all the innovations surrounding the new operating system are, of course, the upcoming AI capabilities. Now is the time to officially click the Software Update button on your computers, download and install macOS 15. It’s free (if you have a modern Mac). But is it worth it? And as usual, the annual question for those who rely on their computers in the studio or at work: upgrade or wait?

To install or not to install?

Like every year, many users and fans of the Apple cosmos can’t wait to try out the new operating system. And now you can, as Apple has released the final version for download. Since WWDC, developers have been able to install a beta version on their computers via the developer account. If you are interested, you can sign up for the public beta test for future updates here and start the installation process.

But be careful: the official update is far from bug-free! The finished operating system usually contains bugs and compatibility issues with connected hardware and installed software. And one more warning: Are you planning to buy a new Apple computer this autumn (the M4 series is just around the corner)? These will, of course, already contain the new OS! And that can lead to immense problems, not only in the audio world.

What new features can we expect in macOS Sequoia?

Apple says its new macOS Sequoia operating system is designed to take productivity and ‘intelligence’ on the Mac to new heights. The company is shifting the focus of recent versions of macOS from increasing productivity and creativity to the growing importance of artificial intelligence. Machine learning and large language models (LLMs) are the hottest topics in the global market right now, and Apple is not going to miss out. The biggest innovations in the new MacOS are undoubtedly the built-in AI features. These will only be available to everyone in English-speaking countries in later updates (at the end of 2024), and in Europe (due to legislation) we will probably have to wait even longer. What a shame!

But that’s not all. macOS Sequoia is packed with other new features, including iPhone Mirroring (which is also expected to come to Europe later), which improves collaboration between the mobile world and the Mac by providing full access and control of the iPhone directly from macOS. Safari also gets a major update with the new Highlights feature, which makes it easier to find information on websites as you browse.

In addition, all of Apple’s essential tools – including Notes, Messages, Maps, Calculator, Weather, FaceTime and more – have been redesigned and enhanced from the ground up in macOS Sequoia. The new Password app makes it easier to access passwords and organise login information in one place. There are also advances in gaming, with more immersive experiences and a host of new games.

Apple Intelligence brings a whole new way of working and transformative intelligence to macOS Sequoia and your Mac. This new technology is your personal intelligence system for Mac, iPhone and iPad, combining the power of generative models with personal context to deliver incredibly useful and relevant ‘intelligence’ (your own suggestions, solutions, ideas).

What the new Apple AI will ultimately look like and what it will bring to the music, film and graphics industries is not yet clear. For us, there is also the ‘pesky European problem’ (Digital Markets Act). This is undoubtedly the most significant innovation in macOS 15, which integrates ChatGPT-based functionality into the operating system to generate text and images and perform actions across applications. I’m very excited!

As always, be careful if you have an older Mac computer. They are no longer supported by macOS Sequoia. The fine print also points out that Apple has dropped support for some newer MacBook Air models, and that a number of iMac models no longer support iPhone mirroring.

All in all, it doesn’t sound like much of an update for us musicians. But on the other hand, macOS Sequoia makes our everyday computing environment more ‘beautiful’, bringing tools to the operating system that make our work easier – everything runs faster and smoother, you can talk and brainstorm with your computer as if it were a colleague. And that’s exactly what gives us more time to focus on what’s important. But it still has to prove itself in our own studio. And for that, we need the green light from the hardware and software manufacturers of our connected audio gear, DAWs and plug-ins.

Which Macs are Compatible?

According to Apple, Sequoia compatibility includes the following models:

• MacBook Air (2020 and later)
• MacBook Pro (2018 and later)
• iMac (2019 and later)
• iMac Pro (2017)
• Mac Pro (2019 and later)
• Mac Studio (2022 and later)
• Mac mini (2018 and later)

Before you think of updating, check if your Mac is on this list. If not, the machine won’t support the new OS without idiosyncrasies and workarounds, which aren’t fun.

Like any OS update, please proceed with caution!

There are likely to be compatibility issues with third party audio hardware and software in the final version. So be careful when updating. PS: I can’t wait (like many of you!) and will soon start a self-test on my MacBook Pro M1 (I’ll report here). Below you will also find a compatibility table of well-known hardware and software manufacturers (as soon as the first statements are published), which we will of course update constantly. Feel free to tell us about your problems or positive experiences with macOS Sequoia in the comments.

Audio Manufacturers Compatibility List

When dealing with popular DAW systems and plug-ins, some beta testers have reported little or no glitches with the new OS. However, while this sounds relatively reassuring, there is no official data published by prominent developers.

More about macOS Sequoia:

• Official Sequoia Preview
• More Apple News

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