After announcing it during WWDC 2018 earlier this month, and launching a Developer Beta that same day, Apple has now made the latest version of its desktop operating system, macOS 10.14 Mojave, available for download as a Public Beta for anyone Want to try it.
Now, macOS Mojave is not another 'under the cap' update like macOS High Sierra Last year (and fortunately, it has a better name than macOS High Sierra), in fact, it brings many new features to Apple's desktop and laptop line. However, while the public beta version is available for anyone to download without the need for a $ 99 / year developer account, is it really something you should download on your MacBook or iMac? Well, let me list my experience with Apple's latest desktop operating system so far.
MacOS Mojave Public Beta – The Good
Since I have memory (except last year with High Sierra), every macOS update has brought a lot of new features to the proverbial table, and this year seems to be the biggest update of recent memory.
Boot time
From the beginning, the time of boot on macOS Mojave is amazing . MacBooks have always been incredibly fast to start, especially since Apple switched to those fast SSDs, but macOS Mojave has done it faster. So much so, that it basically doesn't feel like I'm starting at all, and I love that.
New features … everywhere!
There are a lot of new features in macOS Mojave, the most visible among them is the dark mode (Thanks, Apple!), The Incredibles dynamic wallpapers which look impressive (especially the one seen at night), desk batteries which, at least for me, are a blessing, and much more.
Apple has also made Quick Look much more useful, and can handle basic dialing there without having to open Preview, which means that I basically no longer open the Preview. It can even allow you to trim videos without having to open them first in QuickTime. It's a ridiculously good time saver that I can't live without now.
There are also a lot of other features, and we have covered them in a dedicated article, so you should definitely go and check it out.
Bragging rights
I mean, come on, being in the last version of macOS give you many rights.
- Your colleague is opening a video in QuickTime to trim it? You can do it in Quick Look. It is literally just a space bar away.
- The dark mode will make almost everyone feel envious, including Windows users because that dark mode can be decent, but it's not as impressive as MacOS Mojave.
- You will have already logged in to your laptop when your colleague starts your laptop.
- You can tell everyone how is the latest and best version of macOS ever created.
- You will never have to worry about a messy desk because desk batteries will save you every time, effortlessly.
There is much more to show off in MacOS Mojave, and besides that, it is quite stable when it comes to beta versions.
MacOS Mojave Public Beta – The Bad
Like "with great power comes a great responsibility", with great features they also have some important drawbacks, at least in beta software. It is not that you should not expect the problems listed below, because it is a beta version and, literally, everyone will tell you to be careful because it is a pre-launch software and can damage, or completely kill your laptop.
While macOS Mojave doesn't kill my MacBook Pro 2017 without Touch Bar, I don't have any guarantee of how your laptop can end up. Now that I have mortified you, let me take you through the wild roller coaster that has the mistakes and problems with macOS Mojave.
Battery life
He biggest problem for me is the impact life of my battery has had . While in High Sierra, my MacBook lasted consistently for approximately 10 hours with a full charge. Now … well, now it lasts 4 to 5 hours at the most, with the same workload you had before. So clearly, battery life will be affected with macOS Mojave.
However, I am pretty sure Apple will fix this when we reach the stable version later this fall.
Random Compatibility Issues
This is possibly the most obvious inconvenience of installing a beta version of an operating system. The applications will break; Not all, fortunately, but enough.
- I've always loved writing in Ulysses, but with macOS Mojave, it just doesn't allow me to create a new sheet … My usual one is iA Writer, which fortunately is working.
- At Beebom, we use Quip as our preferred tool to collaborate, and that is complicated in a big way in Mojave. Select several lines and the whole page will turn gray With the only solution to be back and then back to the page.
- Better Touch Tool, which is by far the best application in which I have spent my money (s, it is), closes randomly in the background. Fortunately, the developer is incredible and there is already a solution in the alpha channel, but I'm also waiting for it to reach the stable channel.
- Random applications begin to be delayed sometimes . Note that when trying to save an image that you edit in Photoshop and when closing multiple tabs in Firefox Quantum, applications sometimes take a moment or two to realize that they are asked to do something.
- The admirer! What do I say about the fan? He starts randomly and triggers, and then slows down after a while . As I wrote this article, it started once, made everyone look at me and then be calm again.
MacOS Mojave Public Beta – The Ugly
As I said, everyone tells you not to install the beta software on your main machine, as it can lead to data loss, and it can even ruin your Mac permanently, what I've never seen people mention is the simple and ugly fact that once you have upgraded your Mac to the public or developer Beta version, you cannot return to the original version you had previously .
So, if you come from MacOS High Sierra, and you think that maybe there are too many mistakes and you want to go back, then you are not lucky because you cannot. You can only go to the next beta version or the stable version of Mojave when it is released later this fall.
Once you have upgraded your Mac to the beta version of Public or Developer, you will not be able to return to the original version you had before
Why do you ask? Well, it's simple. When you try to install an update of the operating system, your laptop checks if it is newer compared to what is already installed on your system. If so, everything is fine and the update starts. However, if it isn't, just fail.
Now imagine this, install the Public Beta on your main laptop and break the applications you need for your work. You, kind reader, unfortunately are screwed.
Don't panic, there is a solution … an extreme
That said, if you're feeling brave enough to install macOS Mojave on your laptop, just to find out that the same applications on which your livelihood depends were ruined, don't rush to leave another $ 1000 + in a replacement. . There is a way to reverse your system. However, it involves steps that almost always erase your system data.
It is called recovery mode and It basically resets the factory settings of your Mac, which means that you take it back to the operating system with which your laptop was sent. That's fine if you are using a 2016 or 2017 Mac that comes with macOS Sierra and higher. If you are using a 2015 MacBook Air, as it was last year when I had to use recovery mode, you go back to … Mac OS X Mavericks (or at least it was).
MacOS Mojave Public Beta – To install or not to install? That is the question
So, the question arises, should I install the public beta version of macOS Mojave? Okay, may Do it, but you will not recommend it unless you need the new features at this time.
In my use, the macOS Mojave beta has not been so faulty that I regret having jumped the gun and having improved immediately. However, as it happens With most software updates, your mileage may vary, and really I can not recommend to nobody to install the macOS Mojave beta version .
Obviously, if you are as enthusiastic as me, you will probably install it anyway, in which case, I wish you the best of luck and leave you with two things:
- A warning that the Beta software can be harmful to your system. It may be unstable and may render your system useless. In which case, I (or Beebom) assume no responsibility in this regard. You have been warned about the inconveniences and risks.
- and, if you still decide to update your system, a link to our article on how to install it (where, by the way, we will notify you again)
So, are you updating your Mac to the latest version of macOS available? If so, let us know, if you have already done so, let us know how it is working for you. There is a comments section below, so leave your thoughts and comments there.