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Mac OS X Mavericks

Forrest Stroud
Last Updated May 24, 2021 7:48 am

Mac OS X Mavericks, or simply OS X Mavericks, is version 10.9 of Apple Computer’s Mac OS X operating system for Macintosh desktop, laptop and server computers. The Mavericks release is the tenth update for Mac OS X, following earlier updates for the operating system: Cheetah (v10.0), Puma (v10.1), Jaguar (v10.2), Panther (v10.3), Tiger (v10.4), Leopard (v10.5), Snow Leopard (v10.6), Lion (v10.7) and Mountain Lion (v10.8).

After running out of viable feline-themed names, Apple is leaving behind the big cat-based nomenclature of previous OS X releases and starting a new series of names based on locations in Apple’s home state of California. OS X Mavericks takes its name from a popular surfing spot near San Francisco.

What’s New in Mavericks?

As with OS X Mountain Lion, the most noticeable of the more than 200 enhancements in OS X Mavericks are features and applications that have migrated over from Apple’s iOS mobile operating system, particularly new Maps and iBooks apps as well as an enhanced version of the Safari web browser. Other additions in the Mac OS X Mavericks release include new Finder Tabs and Tags and enhanced multi-display support.

Apple first made Mac OS X Mavericks available through the Mac App Store on October 22nd, 2012, and the operating system can be downloaded as a free upgrade for current users of the Mac OS X Mountain Lion, Lion or Leopard OSes.