What is the Difference Between OS X Mavericks and OS X Yosemite?

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OS X Mavericks and OS X Yosemite are two versions of Apple's operating system for Macintosh computers. While both offer a range of features and improvements over previous versions, there are some key differences between the two:

OS X Mavericks (version 10.9):

  • Released in 2013, it introduced several new features and enhancements to the Mac operating system.
  • Significant improvements were made to power efficiency, allowing for longer battery life on laptops.
  • Finder received multiple enhancements, such as file tags and tabs for better organization and productivity.
  • Safari 7 was included, with enhanced performance and new features like Reading List and Shared Links.

OS X Yosemite (version 10.10):

  • Released in 2014, it marked a significant change in the interface, with a simpler, flatter look similar to iOS 7.
  • The default font changed from Lucida Grande to Helvetica Neue, providing a more modern and consistent appearance across Apple devices.
  • Apps were redesigned to be more streamlined, with many toolbars being simplified to save space, especially beneficial for laptops with smaller screens.
  • Notifications were redrawn, and the "Today" section provided a full summary of daily updates, making the interface more integrated with iOS.

In terms of performance, there were some differences between the two operating systems. A speed test comparison showed that while Yosemite consistently produced slower performance compared to Mavericks, the difference was small, ranging from slightly under 1% to 5%. Overall, upgrading from Mavericks to Yosemite provided a more modern and familiar interface, better integration with iOS, and other enhancements while maintaining a similar level of performance.

Comparative Table: OS X Mavericks vs OS X Yosemite

Here is a table comparing the differences between OS X Mavericks and OS X Yosemite:

Feature OS X Mavericks OS X Yosemite
Fonts and Icons Uses Lucida Grande as the primary font Replaces Lucida Grande with Helvetica Neue, providing a more modern look
AirDrop Supports sharing files between proximate Macs from Finder Supports transfers between iOS 8 and OS X, enabling easy file sharing between Macs and iOS devices
User Interface More conservative design with traditional bevelled effects Redesigned interface with flatter, more modern appearance, and new icons
Notification Center Limited functionality Improved functionality, including support for widgets and more customization
Spotlight Limited search sources Supports additional sources such as maps and Wikipedia
Energy Efficiency No mention of energy-saving features Introduces Timer Coalescing, which increases energy efficiency by reducing CPU usage
Memory Compression No mention of memory management features Activates an automated mechanism to compress memory when approaching limits

While both operating systems share core functionality, OS X Yosemite introduces improvements and new features over OS X Mavericks, such as a redesigned user interface, enhanced Notification Center, and increased energy efficiency.