Is my Mac OK for Big Sur?

MacOS Monterey, Apple's latest Mac operating system, arrived on Monday, Oct. 25. The software, also known as MacOS 12, is included on the new laptops announced at Apple's event in October -- both the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro -- and is compatible with a variety of earlier Mac models as well. The new OS was first unveiled at Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference in June and includes new features like Universal Control, AirPlay and a host of updates coming to iOS 15 like spatial audio in FaceTime

Whether you installed the MacOS Monterey public beta, or are planning to install the final version, you'll need to have a compatible device. And while the Windows 11 rollout has been full of confusion over which devices will be able to run it, Apple's compatibility list is far more straightforward. 

Read more: The three best features we found in MacOS Monterey so far

Will my Mac run MacOS Monterey?

Here are all the models of Macs that can run MacOS Monterey, according to Apple

  • MacBook, early 2016 and later
  • MacBook Air, early 2015 and later
  • MacBook Pro, early 2015 and later
  • Mac Pro, late 2013 and later
  • Mac Mini, late 2014 and later
  • iMac, late 2015 and later
  • iMac Pro, 2017 and later

As our sister site ZDNet notes, that means that the following Macs will not be able to update to anything beyond MacOS Big Sur

  • iMac, mid- and late 2014 and early 2015 
  • MacBook Air, mid-2013 and early 2014
  • MacBook Pro, late 2013 and mid-2014
  • MacBook, early 2015

For more, check out what we know so far about MacOS Monterey and its features and our guide to whether you should buy a new Mac now, or wait. You can also take a look at the best new features of WatchOS 8 and see if your iPhone is compatible with iOS 15.

Is my Mac OK for Big Sur?

Now playing: Watch this: Hands-on with MacOS Monterey

5:44

See also

  • Apple event recap: AirPods 3, new MacBook Pro and more
  • Apple unveils new AirPods at $179
  • Apple's MacBook Pro display features a new notch, faster refresh rate

Is my Mac OK for Big Sur?

The release of macOS Big Sur 11.0 and macOS Monterey 12.0 brought with it a number of new features and changes. Perhaps most notably, the two operating systems introduce a new design language that is inspired by the California coast. While both operating systems offer a refreshed look, there are some significant differences between them. macOS Big Sur includes a redesigned Control Center, while macOS Monterey introduces a new app called Maps. In addition, Big Sur offers support for the Apple Silicon M1 chip, while Monterey does not. As a result, those who are looking for the most up-to-date features and design elements will want to choose macOS Big Sur. However, those who need support for older Mac hardware may prefer macOS Monterey.

Here are some things you need to know. After reading this article, you’ll be well on your way to deciding between the two.

What’s new in Monterey?

If you’re wondering what’s new in macOS Monterey, you’re not alone. This year’s major update is full of features that make the Mac experience even better. One of the most notable features of the new Mac is the support for iPhone apps. Specifically, users will be able to use their iPhones to play music through Siri. Another new feature is the extension of Hide My Email, which allows users to use a random email address when sending emails to others. This privacy feature protects the privacy of users while ensuring that they’re not accidentally receiving unsolicited email from strangers. The Photos app has several improvements as well, including support for new Memory types, including High-Definition and Wide-Aspect ratio.

Users can also enjoy MacOS features such as Universal Control and SharePlay. Universal Control allows users to share their keyboard and mouse activities with up to three devices. Universal Control also supports AirPlay so that users can seamlessly transfer work between two Macs or multiple devices. Shortcuts let users create automated specialised operations that do not require complex setup. Moreover, they can share their screen via AirPlay with other devices. All of these features make MacOS Monterey a great choice for users with multiple devices.

SharePlay is another new feature that lets users share media with others on the same device. It works across iOS, iPadOS, and macOS, and works like a shared virtual room. People can chat with each other while watching media. However, the feature was not included in beta versions of the new version. Users can expect to find the “Shared with you” folder in the app drawer after installing Monterey on their Macs.

Requirements for Monterey

The new macOS update for MacBooks is called Monterey, and the beta users seem to like it. This upgrade brings new features and performance improvements, and has been more tightly integrated than Big Sur. Some older devices may not be compatible with the new OS, though, such as 2013 Macbook Air and Macbook Pro models. The new OS also improves privacy and data control, making it a safer OS upgrade.

Regardless of whether you’re upgrading from an older version of macOS or purchasing a new machine, you’ll need a 64-bit Intel processor, Apple System on a Chip, and 8GB of RAM. These minimum requirements are not only for macOS Monterey, but also for other new features.

We, however, recommend you upgrade to a 16GB RAM.

We purchase the below for our clients. They are tested and meet our standards.

Is my Mac OK for Big Sur?

Timetec 16GB KIT(2x8GB)

Compatible for Apple DDR3L 1600MHz for Mac Book Pro(Early/Late 2011,Mid 2012), iMac(Mid 2011,Late 2012,Early/Late 2013,Late 2014,Mid 2015), Mac Mini(Mid 2011,Late 2012) MAC RAM

Purchase at Amazon

Some apps aren’t compatible with macOS Monterey, so make sure you’re aware of them. Make sure you’re aware of these requirements before you purchase a new Mac.

One feature that Monterey adds to macOS is the ability to use Mail app extensions. These add additional functionality to your Mac, such as performing message actions and improving security. It also supports Adaptive-Sync external displays. These new features will be available on all Macs starting on October 25, 2021. This feature will be particularly useful for streamers. It will prevent any accidental recordings and ensure privacy.

To install macOS Monterey in macOS Big Sur, you must upgrade from OS X Mountain Lion. Before upgrading, check the health of your internal storage using Disk Utility (which is included in every Mac).

MacOS Big Sur Vs MacOS Monterey: Performance

If you’re interested in comparing the performance of MacOS Monterey vs. MacOS Big Sur, you’ll want to take a look at the software and hardware. While these two Mac OS X versions are similar, they each have their own benefits. Monterey has improved Safari and is more responsive. It may even make your Mac feel faster, especially if you use the web browser frequently. Although this may not be a definitive answer, the performance of macOS Monterey is definitely faster than its counterpart.

If you want to see how the two Mac OS X versions compare, you should consider upgrading to the latest version. While Mac OS Monterey has similar features to the current versions of macOS Sierra and High Sierra, it includes some new features. The new version is faster and incorporates iCloud+ and a number of security features. It also features the Live Text feature, which lets you interact with the text in photos.

Although both Mac OS versions have the same features, Big Sur’s support for older Macs is a major advantage. The latter has more features and is better integrated with older Mac hardware, but it may not be compatible with older devices. If you’re looking for the best Mac OS for your device, Big Sur may be the better choice. Nonetheless, Monterey is faster in general and Big Sur may be the best option for some devices.

While Big Sur’s UI overhaul was largely unchanged, Monterey has added some refinements and settings that make it more functional. Big Sur’s unified title bar hides proxy icon by default, so you need to hover over the window to see it. However, you can enable the visibility of the proxy icon permanently by selecting the option in the ‘Preferences’ menu.

To get the most out of your Mac, we highly recommend backing up and installing a fresh OS.

For backing up we recommend using a SanDisk Extreme 1TB Portable NVMe SSD as they are very reliable and fast for Mac backups.

Is my Mac OK for Big Sur?

If you have an iMac with a fusion drive, we recommend replacing it with a an OWC 1.0TB Aura Pro X2 NVMe SSD Drive. From our tests you should see it shave off atleast 30 seconds to 1 minute off the boot time.

Is my Mac OK for Big Sur?

Benchmark Video (Gaming)

MacOS Big Sur Vs MacOS Monterey: Security

The recent vulnerabilities in the macOS Monterey and Big Sur operating systems may have a direct impact on your computer. The two versions of macOS contain similar vulnerabilities, though Big Sur and Monterrey’s vulnerabilities are less serious than their counterparts. While both versions contain active exploits, only Monterey has been hacked. Nevertheless, it’s important to note that a lot of Macs are still vulnerable to these bugs, so security patches are essential.

Both Monterey and Big Sur come with some security improvements. Both are compatible with older Macs. However, Big Sur is better suited for older Macs. This operating system can be installed on a 2014 iMac while Monterey can only be used on a 2013 Macbook Air or MacBook Pro. In such a case, you’ll be stuck with Big Sur as your last OS update.

While the new security features in Monterey are important, the previous version has been limited to a few features. Big Sur has a better Do Not Disturb mode, and Focus has a streamlined interface without clutter. However, Monterey has a few more features that it will need to be ready for. You’ll need to wait at least another four or five months for Monterey to be fully released.

Despite the differences in security and features, the older versions of macOS still contain some vulnerabilities. The MacOS Monterey 12.2.1 update addresses a security flaw in macOS version 11.6.5. Apple has not revealed which specific issue this update fixes, but it’s still recommended to upgrade. So, which is better? Big Sur or Monterrey? Let’s take a look at each of these new versions.

We recommend Webroot Internet Security 2022 for added protection and that piece of mind.

Is my Mac OK for Big Sur?

Is it safe to update to Monterey?

If you’re using an older macOS version, you should definitely update to Monterey. While the new operating system has a few improvements over Big Sur, it is still far from perfect. For example, if you’re using a third-party antivirus application, you may want to consider updating to a new version of Monterey. The new version also contains security updates. However, older apps may not be compatible with Monterey.

The Monterey update will be available in several weeks. It has already fixed several major bugs, but it’s possible that the latest version doesn’t fix all of them. In order to make sure the update is safe for your Mac, you should wait until the next release candidate is out. Apple typically releases several smaller updates in a few weeks, so you can wait to upgrade. In addition to fixing major bugs, the new version may also include a few important security fixes and bug fixes.

Some users report that Monterey aborts during the upgrade process. This issue may occur because the firmware update for Monterey was not compatible with the Mac you’re using. Alternatively, you can install Monterey to an external hard drive and use the installer from there to upgrade your macOS on your internal storage. If all else fails, contact Apple Support for help. They may suggest that you take your mac to an Apple store to have it fixed. Nevertheless, these updates are often accompanied by some bugs.

If the update fails to fix your problem, you can still uninstall Monterey. Then, you can reinstall Monterey later after Apple fixes the problems. However, you need to boot into Recovery Mode in order to complete the process. You can also follow the instructions above to install Monterey on your device. But, it’s still important to make sure that you have a working copy of Monterey.

We also do upgrades for Macs, so get in touch with us on 0484 357 559

PS: As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases

Is my Mac too old for Big Sur?

As long as your MacBook Pro doesn't predate the late 2013 models you'll be able to run Big Sur. Note that the 2012 model that was the last MacBook Pro to ship with a DVD drive was still sold in 2016, so beware that even if you bought the MacBook Pro after 2013 it might not be compatible with Big Sur.

What Macs are not compatible with Big Sur?

Late 2013 and later MacBook Pro. 2014 and later iMac. 2017 and later iMac Pro. 2014 and later Mac mini..
2012 and Early 2013 MacBook Pro..
2012 MacBook Air..
2012 and 2013 iMac..
2012 Mac mini..

Will Big Sur slow my Mac down?

They're designed for the specs of the current year's Mac, which means it will almost always run slower on your Mac than the previous version. That leads us to an important question: is speed an issue with Big Sur, and if so, how do you handle it?

What Macs can use Big Sur?

macOS Big Sur is compatible with these computers.
MacBook Pro (13-inch, M1, 2020).
MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2020, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports).
MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2020, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports).
MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2019).
MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2019, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports).
MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2019).