Exploring the Differences Between macOS Big Sur and Catalina

macOS Big Sur and Catalina, both significant releases of the macOS operating system, introduced substantial changes that have shaped the user experience on Apple's devices. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the key differences between these two versions, focusing on their design features and functionalities.

Introduction to macOS Big Sur and Catalina

macOS Big Sur was released in November 2020, marking a new era in Apple's operating system with a fresh design focus and enhanced features. On the other hand, macOS Catalina was launched in October 2019, serving as a transitional update. This article delves into the main distinctions between these two versions to help users understand the improvements and changes brought by each update.

User Interface

macOS Big Sur:

Introduced a major design overhaul featuring a more modern and streamlined look. Translucent menu bar and rounded window corners for a cleaner appearance. A new Control Center similar to iOS, providing quicker access to system settings.

macOS Catalina:

While cleaner than previous versions, it retained many traditional macOS design elements. No Control Center; settings were accessed through the menu bar and System Preferences.

Control Center

macOS Big Sur:

Introduced a new Control Center consolidating system controls like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and volume into a single menu.

macOS Catalina:

Users had to access settings through the menu bar and System Preferences.

Notification Center

macOS Big Sur:

Redesigned Notification Center with grouped notifications and a more interactive widget system.

macOS Catalina:

Notifications were displayed in a more traditional list format without the grouping feature.

Safari Browser

macOS Big Sur:

Featured a redesigned Safari with improved performance, a new start page, enhanced privacy features, and a more customizable browsing experience.

macOS Catalina:

Safari was updated but did not include the extensive improvements found in Big Sur.

Messages and FaceTime

macOS Big Sur:

Added new features to Messages, including improved search, pinned conversations, and the ability to mention people in group chats. FaceTime included new grid view and portrait mode.

macOS Catalina:

Had a more basic version of Messages and FaceTime with fewer features.

Apple Music, Podcasts, and TV

macOS Big Sur:

Continued the transition away from iTunes, refining the standalone apps for Music, Podcasts, and TV with better integration and usability.

macOS Catalina:

Marked the initial separation of iTunes into these three apps, later refined in Big Sur with improved functionality and design.

Privacy Features

macOS Big Sur:

Introduced additional privacy features such as enhanced App Privacy information in the App Store.

macOS Catalina:

Already had some privacy updates, but Big Sur expanded on these.

Compatibility and Performance

macOS Big Sur:

Dropped support for older Macs that could run Catalina, requiring newer hardware for installation.

macOS Catalina:

Supported a wider range of older Macs, making it more accessible to users with legacy hardware.

macOS Big Sur:

Data performance improvements and system stability with optimizations for the latest Apple silicon Macs.

macOS Catalina:

Had some performance issues reported by users, particularly with the transition to 64-bit apps.

Conclusion

Overall, macOS Big Sur represented a significant evolution in both design and functionality compared to Catalina. Big Sur focused on a more unified and modern user experience, emphasizing performance improvements and stability. Catalina, on the other hand, served as a transitional release that laid the groundwork for future developments.