The MacOS Sequoia Beta, Is it worth using? - Mini Review

Summary

In this video, the creator shares their experience using the beta version of Mac OS Sequoia on their M3 Pro MacBook Pro. They discuss the system's stability, battery life, and new features like iPhone mirroring, window snapping, and collapsible notes. While acknowledging minor bugs, they emphasize the beta's overall reliability and the benefits of the new features. The creator advises waiting for the full release unless one is eager to test new functionalities, highlighting the importance of backing up data before beta updates.

Takeaways

• 📅 Apple announced Mac OS Sequoia in early June, and the speaker has been using the beta version since then.
• 💻 The beta is being tested on an M3 Pro MacBook Pro, a powerful base model with 14-inch display, 5 performance cores, 6 efficiency cores, and 18 GB of RAM.
• 🔧 The speaker finds the daily use of the beta to be stable, with no noticeable lag or slowdown, and apps opening quickly and remaining responsive.
• 🔋 Battery life has not changed significantly, and the beta software is not power-hungry, which is good news for older Mac users.
• 🆕 Mac OS Sequoia introduces a plethora of new features, including iPhone mirroring, window snapping, and collapsible notes, among others.
• 📲 iPhone mirroring is highlighted as particularly useful for transferring files without needing to Airdrop or email.
• 🪟 Window snapping allows for productivity by organizing apps to the corner or side of the screen, a feature previously available on Windows.
• 📝 Collapsible notes is a new feature that helps keep notes tidy by hiding text under headings or subheadings.
• 🐞 The speaker has encountered a few bugs, such as disappearing sentences in Notes, Duo Lingo app freezing, and issues with screen savers and wallpapers.
• 🛠 Despite the bugs, many have been fixed with updates, and the speaker believes the beta is stable enough for those who want to test new features.
• ❌ The speaker advises against using the beta for everyday users, recommending they wait for the full release, due to potential hassles and the need for a clean install to revert.

Q & A

What is the name of the new version of Mac OS announced by Apple in early June?

The new version of Mac OS announced by Apple is called Mac OS Sequoia.

How long has the author been using the beta version of Mac OS Sequoia?

The author has been using the beta version of Mac OS Sequoia since its announcement in early June.

What type of MacBook Pro is the author using to test the beta version of Mac OS Sequoia?

The author is using a 14-inch MacBook Pro with the M3 Pro chip, which has five performance cores, six efficiency cores, and 18 GB of RAM.

How does the author describe the overall performance of the beta version on their MacBook Pro?

The author describes the overall performance of the beta version as stable, with no noticeable lag or slowdown, and apps opening quickly and remaining responsive.

Has the battery life of the MacBook Pro changed noticeably after installing the beta version?

No, the battery life has not changed noticeably and still lasts the author throughout the day.

What are some of the new features introduced in Mac OS Sequoia according to the script?

Some of the new features introduced in Mac OS Sequoia include iPhone mirroring, window snapping, collapsible notes, Safari highlights, a new passwords app, new AirPods controls, new maps, changes to gaming on Mac, and new iMessage features.

Which three features does the author consider their favorites from the new Mac OS Sequoia update?

The author's favorite three features are iPhone mirroring, window snapping, and collapsible notes.

What issues has the author experienced with the beta version of Mac OS Sequoia?

The author has experienced issues such as sentences disappearing in Notes, the Duolingo app freezing during lessons, difficulty connecting to a phone's hotspot, and bugs with screen savers and wallpapers.

What is the author's recommendation regarding using the beta version of Mac OS Sequoia for everyday users?

The author recommends that everyday users wait for the full release of Mac OS Sequoia instead of using the beta version, unless they are eager to test new features or enjoy testing beta software.

What is the main drawback mentioned by the author for reverting back to a previous version from the beta version of Mac OS Sequoia?

The main drawback is that reverting back to a previous version requires a fresh install on the MacBook, which removes any files stored directly on it, making it important to back up the Mac before updating.

Outlines

00:00

💻 Early Experience with Mac OS Sequoia Beta

The video script discusses the initial impressions of Mac OS Sequoia, the latest operating system from Apple, announced in early June. The author has been using the beta version since its announcement and shares their experience on a MacBook Pro with the M3 Pro chip. They find the OS stable and reliable, with no noticeable lag or slowdown, and apps like Notes, Safari, and Premier Pro performing well. The battery life remains consistent, and the OS is not power-hungry. The script mentions several new features, including iPhone mirroring, window snapping, and collapsable notes, which are highlighted as favorites. However, there are minor bugs, such as issues with the Duo Lingo app, connection problems with the phone's Hotspot, and screen savers not functioning as expected. Despite these, many bugs have been fixed with updates, and the author suggests that while the beta is stable, it might be best for most users to wait for the official release to avoid potential hassles with downgrading.

05:02

🛑 Considerations for Using Mac OS Sequoia Beta

The second paragraph of the script advises caution when considering the use of the Mac OS Sequoia beta. It mentions the inconvenience of reverting to a previous version, which requires a fresh install and erases all local files, emphasizing the importance of backing up data before updating. The author suggests that while the beta is proving to be stable and the new features are enticing for those eager to test them, the general user might prefer to wait for the full release to avoid potential issues. The script concludes by expressing hope for a shorter gap between videos and a promise to see the audience again soon.

Keywords

💡Mac OS Sequoia

Mac OS Sequoia refers to the next version of Apple's operating system for Mac computers, announced in early June. It is the central theme of the video, as the script discusses the user's experience with the beta version of this OS. The video aims to provide insights into the new features, stability, and potential issues encountered during the beta testing phase.

💡Beta

In the context of the video, 'beta' refers to a pre-release version of software that is made available to a limited audience for testing purposes. The user discusses their experience with the beta version of Mac OS Sequoia, highlighting the stability and new features while also mentioning the presence of bugs that are common in beta software.

💡M3 Pro MacBook Pro

The M3 Pro MacBook Pro is the specific model of the MacBook that the user is testing the beta on. It is described as a powerful machine with a base M3 Pro chip, five performance cores, six efficiency cores, and 18 GB of RAM. This detail is important as it sets the context for the performance observations made by the user while running the beta OS.

💡Performance

Performance in this video refers to how the computer handles the tasks and applications while running the beta version of Mac OS Sequoia. The user notes that there is no noticeable lag or slowdown, indicating that the system is performing well despite being a beta version.

💡Battery Life

Battery life is a key consideration for users when testing new software, as it can be affected by changes in the operating system. The user mentions that the battery life on their M3 Pro MacBook Pro has not changed noticeably while using the beta, suggesting that the new OS is not significantly more power-hungry.

💡Features

Features in the context of the video refer to the new functionalities introduced in Mac OS Sequoia. The user lists several, such as iPhone mirroring, window snapping, collapsible notes, and improvements to Safari, among others. These features are central to the user's evaluation of the beta's value and user experience.

💡iPhone Mirroring

iPhone mirroring is one of the new features highlighted in the video, allowing users to use their iPhone on their Mac. The user finds this feature surprisingly useful, especially for transferring files without needing to use Airdrop or email, provided the devices are close enough to connect.

💡Window Snapping

Window snapping is another feature discussed in the video, which allows users to snap apps to the corner or side of the screen. The user appreciates this feature, noting its usefulness in organizing the workspace, despite it not being as quick for full-screen snapping as some might prefer.

💡Collapsible Notes

Collapsible notes is a feature that allows users to organize their notes by hiding text under headings or subheadings, keeping the notes tidy. The user finds this feature interesting and useful, although they initially experienced some confusion and issues with it during the early stages of beta testing.

💡Bugs

Bugs in the context of the video refer to the issues and errors encountered while using the beta version of Mac OS Sequoia. The user mentions a few, such as disappearing sentences in Notes, the Duo Lingo app freezing, and issues with screen savers and wallpapers. These bugs are expected in beta software and are part of the reason for community testing.

💡Public Beta

Public beta refers to the release of the beta version of the software to a wider audience, not just developers or select users. The user discusses whether it's worth using the public beta, suggesting that while it's stable enough for those eager to test new features, most users might prefer to wait for the official release.

Highlights

Apple announced Mac OS Sequoia in early June.

The beta version of Mac OS Sequoia has been used since its announcement.

The user is running the beta on an M3 Pro MacBook Pro.

The M3 Pro MacBook Pro is a powerful machine, even in its base model.

Daily use of the beta feels the same as the previous version, with no lag or slowdown.

Apps like Notes, Safari, and Premier Pro remain responsive on the beta.

The beta software is stable and reliable, not power-hungry for battery life.

Mac OS Sequoia brings a plethora of new features.

iPhone mirroring allows using your phone on your Mac.

Windows snapping is a new feature for productivity.

Safari highlights remove distractions from busy websites.

New features include a new passwords app, airpods controls, and changes to gaming on Mac.

Collapsible notes keep documents tidy by hiding text under headings.

Some bugs have been noticed, such as disappearing sentences in Notes and issues with the Duo Lingo app.

Mac was having difficulty connecting to the phone's Hotspot, but the issue seems resolved with a new beta.

Screen savers and wallpapers appear to have bugs, with wallpapers not rotating and screen savers not moving.

The beta is not recommended for everyday use, but for those who like testing out beta software.

It's best to wait for the full release of Mac OS Sequoia for most users.

The beta is proving to be stable for those testing new features.

Transcripts

in early June Apple announced their next

version of Mac OS Mac OS Sequoia and at

the time of writing this I've been using

the beta since since announcement in

early June so how has it been in this

video I'll go over my thoughts on the

features the bugs other stuff and if

it's worth updating and using the public

beta which released a few days ago but

first I'll explain what kind of machine

I'm running this beta on I'm running

this beta on my M3 Pro MacBook Pro I

have made a video on it previously if

you want full details about it but I'll

go over the basics here it's the 14-in

model with the bass M3 Pro chip it has

five performance scores six efficiency

CES and 18 GB of RAM even though it's

just the base model it's a real

powerhouse and at the time of writing

this is the newest MacBook Pro Apple

cells if anything is going to handle the

beta well it's going to be a MacBook Pro

like this one getting back to the beta

how is it with daily use just moving

around the OS as they would every day

feels just the same as it did on the

previous version I haven't noticed any

lag or slowdown so the computer doesn't

appear to struggle with anything apps

still open quickly and for the most part

remain responsive I say most as I have

noticed an issue here or there which

I'll talk more about later but anyways

the apps I use the most in notes Safari

and Premier Pro all of which seem the

same to me performance- wise of course

everybody's use case is different and

this will vary but for the most part

everyone is agreeing the OS is

surprisingly stable the battery life

hasn't changed noticeably still lasting

me the day with e so overall I would say

at face value the beta software is

fairly stable and reliable it's not

power hungry so say for those with older

Max the battery life difference

shouldn't be of concern Max are usually

pretty good with software support and

ability on older machines and I don't

believe this is any different now what

does this relatively stable beta bring

in terms of features well Mac squo

brings with it a ple thr of new features

a lot of which seem to have been

welcomed to highlight of some Main on

there's iPhone memor the ability to use

your phone on your Mac productivity the

ability to snap apps to the corner or

side which has been a useful feature on

windows for a long time there's also

highlights on Safari which removes some

distractions from busy websites a new

passwords app new airpods controls new

maps collapsable notes changes to gaming

on Mac new iMessage features and more my

favorite three would have to be iPhone

mirroring Windows snapping and

collapsible notes iPhone mirroring has

been surprisingly useful I found it

makes easy to transfer files as there's

no need to go grab your phone to airdrop

or email as long as it's close enough to

connect window snapping is neat it isn't

as quick for full screen snapping as the

way it works by snapping it to a side or

corner with the screen has the dock

visible but it's useful nonetheless I

haven't come across many scenarios where

I use it but there's been a few times

where it would have been or has been

useful to quickly snap Windows like this

collapsible notes is an interesting one

it seems quite useful and I'll admit it

has been what it does is put all the

text underneath the heading in a notes

document which helps to keep your notes

looking tidy when it works it was a

little confusing at first as you have to

label a word or sentence as a heading or

subheading then it automatically becomes

collapsible and I've had some sentences

just disappear before but that was on

the first beta and I believe it's been

fixed now or at least been much more

stainable as updates have rolled out of

course with these updates there's going

to be bugs both bugs being fixed and

bugs being discovered I've noticed a few

here and there I mentioned sentences

disappearing in noes but there's been a

couple other less serious ones for

starters the duo lingo app freezes up

during lessons or start up I don't know

whether the beta is to blame but it

started happening after installing a

second developer beta and is continued

with the third it's no big deal and it's

only on specific lessons but still odd

I've also noticed that my Mac was having

a hard time connect into my phone's

Hotpot It wouldn't connect to it no

matter if it was plugged in Bluetooth or

anything but since the new beta this

seem still stopped I've also noticed

screen savers and wallpapers appear to

be bugged my wallpaper is an album that

rotates a photo every 5 minutes but at

the time of writing this it's remained

on the one photo for a few days and for

the screen saver I've been using the new

Mac seoa one and I've noticed it often

remain still instead of slowly moving as

it's supposed to these are minor things

and the screen saver issues appear to be

normal opers and to fix quite quickly so

overall in terms of bugs Mac sequ had

its fair share but plenty of them have

already been fixed it's kind of the

point of the beta to GA feedback and Bug

reports from the community so the end

result is more stable with that said is

the beta worth using is it worth using

well no not for the everyday person of

course when Macos seoa is out of beta

and fully released then yes it's 100%

worth updating to but for the beta

unless you can't wait to use the new

fees or someone who likes to test out

beta softwares like these then it's

worth waiting for the full release the

main reason I would say this is that for

whatever reason the beta doesn't work

properly the only way to go back to the

previous version is to do a fresh J for

install on your M which removes any file

stored directly on it it's why it's

strongly recommended you back up your

Mac before updating the chance of this

happening is low but even if all is fine

installing beds can be a hassle and

it'll only be a few months before before

releas is out so the end of the day this

new version of software appears to bring

some great features and for those who'

have been wanting to test it out the

risk is low for many people the best

option is to wait for the full release

but for those who like testing out new

features like this the beta is proving

pretty

stable anyway that's about it for now

hopefully the gap between the next video

won't be quite as long so hopefully I'll

see you again soon see you