Apple OS X

VersionBig Sur(as of 4/9/2020)
PlatformMac
LicenseCommercial
CategorySystem
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Rating:1.9  |  177 Votes

Main Features

  • Runs on Macintosh computers, such as the iMac and MacBook Pro
  • Features the Finder desktop interface that allows you to organize your applications, files, and downloads
  • Bundled with a variety of applications, including Music, Safari, Photos, and Books
  • Used in personal, educational, and professional environments

Software Overview

OS X, or macOS, is an operating system (OS) developed by Apple and designed to run on Macintosh computers, such as the iMac and MacBook. Apple initially released Mac OS X in 2001 and based it on NeXTSTEP, an operating system developed by NeXT, which Apple acquired when Steve Jobs returned to Apple in 1997. Both NeXTSTEP and macOS are Unix-based and use the same Mach kernel. The OS was called "Mac OS X" until version OS X 10.8 when Apple dropped "Mac" from the name. Then, Apple changed "OS X" to "macOS" when it released macOS Sierra (10.12) in 2016.

The operating system comes bundled with a variety of applications, including:

Finder is the desktop interface for macOS and includes several standard features. It includes a menu bar fixed to the top of the screen that displays customizable information, shortcuts, tools, and display settings. Finder also includes a Dock, which is displayed by default at the bottom of the screen, that enables you to organize all your applications, files, documents, downloads, movies, music, and pictures.

Summary

After Microsoft Windows, macOS is the most widely used desktop operating system and is popular among personal, educational, and professional users.  The OS provides various features Apple consistently updates, with new versions released annually, typically in September or October. And even though the OS comes with Mac computers that are often more expensive than computers running Windows, macOS is still an impressive operating system.

Primary File Type

app icon.APPmacOS Application Bundle

Supported File Types

ExtensionFile Type
.APPmacOS Application Bundle
.BUNDLEmacOS Loadable Bundle
.COMPONENTMac OS X System Component
.EFIRESEFI Image File
.FSMac OS X File System Plug-in
.IOPLISTMac OS X IOPLIST File
.KEXTMac OS X Kernel Extension
.LOCKFILEMac OS X PLIST Lock File
.PREFPANEMac OS X System Preference Pane
.SAVERMac OS X Screen Saver
.WDGTDashboard Widget

Additional Related File Types

ExtensionFile Type
.SCAPEFI Firmware File
.SUITMacintosh Font Suitcase
.SWPSwap File
Updated 4/9/2020