OS X Yosemite

Basic Information

• Model: OS X Yosemite (version 10.10)
• Version: 10.10.x, with the latest stable release being 10.10.5
• Release Date: October 16, 2014
• Minimum Requirements: 2GB RAM, 8GB of available storage, and OS X 10.6.8 Snow Leopard or later installed
• Supported Operating Systems (for upgrade from): OS X Snow Leopard (v10.6.8), OS X Lion (v10.7), OS X Mountain Lion (v10.8), OS X Mavericks (v10.9)
• Latest Stable Version: 10.10.5 (Build 14F2511), released July 19, 2017
• End of Support Date: August 2017 (obsolete and unsupported). Security updates ceased in November 2015.
• End of Life Date: December 31, 2019, for SCS-supported computers; generally considered end-of-life when security updates cease.
• Auto-update Expiration Date: Not explicitly defined, but tied to the end-of-support timeline.
• License Type: APSL and Apple EULA. It was released as a free update.
• Deployment Model: Distributed as a free update via the Mac App Store.

Analysis of Basic Information

OS X Yosemite, version 10.10, marked a significant visual and functional update for Apple's desktop operating system. Released in late 2014, it was available as a free upgrade, continuing Apple's trend of providing its OS at no cost. While it maintained relatively low minimum hardware requirements, allowing many older Macs to upgrade, its support lifecycle concluded in 2017, with security updates ceasing even earlier in 2015. This means the operating system is now obsolete and no longer receives official support or security patches.

Technical Requirements

• RAM: Minimum 2GB.
• Processor: 64-bit Intel processor.
• Storage: 8GB of available disk space for upgrade. A practical minimum of 16GB is suggested for basic installation, with 40-100GB recommended for a clean install or a full complement of applications.
• Display: Compatible with standard Mac displays. Retina displays benefit from the new system font.
• Ports: Bluetooth LE (Bluetooth 4.0) is required for the Handoff feature within Continuity.
• Operating System: OS X v10.6.8 Snow Leopard or later must be installed to upgrade.

Analysis of Technical Requirements

OS X Yosemite's technical requirements were largely consistent with its predecessor, OS X Mavericks, making it accessible to a broad range of existing Mac hardware. The 2GB RAM and 8GB storage minimums were modest for the time. However, to fully leverage new features like Handoff, a Mac equipped with Bluetooth 4.0 (LE) was necessary. While the OS could run on older machines, optimal performance and a smoother user experience were generally observed on newer hardware, particularly those with Retina displays which better showcased the new system font.

Support & Compatibility

• Latest Version: OS X 10.10.5.
• OS Support: Obsolete and unsupported as of August 2017. It no longer receives security updates.
• End of Support Date: August 2017.
• Localization: Supports multiple languages, a standard feature for macOS.
• Available Drivers: Core drivers are integrated into the operating system. iTunes can facilitate driver updates for device syncing. However, compatibility with newer third-party hardware and software is limited due to its unsupported status.

Analysis of Overall Support & Compatibility Status

OS X Yosemite is an unsupported operating system. This means it does not receive critical security updates, bug fixes, or compatibility improvements for new hardware and software. While it was compatible with a wide range of Mac models from 2007 to 2015 at its release, running Yosemite today poses significant security risks and limits access to modern applications and services. Users are strongly advised to upgrade to a currently supported macOS version if their hardware allows.

Security Status

• Security Features: Includes Gatekeeper for malware protection, FileVault 2 for full-disk encryption (XTS-AES 128), application Sandboxing (including for browser plugins), Remote Wipe capabilities, a basic application Firewall, privacy controls, and antiphishing measures.
• Known Vulnerabilities: Early versions experienced Wi-Fi and networking issues (due to the 'discoveryd' process, later replaced). Initial releases also contained a Spotlight privacy loophole and were susceptible to the Thunderstrike hardware exploit, both of which were addressed in subsequent updates (10.10.2 and 10.10.4).
• Blacklist Status: Not applicable for an operating system itself.
• Certifications: Not explicitly detailed in public search results, but Apple operating systems typically adhere to various industry security standards.
• Encryption Support: FileVault 2 provides robust XTS-AES 128 encryption for the entire startup disk and removable storage.
• Authentication Methods: Standard macOS user authentication via passwords.
• General Recommendations: Apple emphasized security as a core design principle for Yosemite. Regular updates during its support period addressed critical vulnerabilities. However, as an unsupported OS, it is now vulnerable to unpatched exploits and is not recommended for secure environments.

Analysis on the Overall Security Rating

At its release, OS X Yosemite offered a strong suite of security features, building upon previous macOS versions with enhancements like improved Gatekeeper functionality and comprehensive FileVault 2 encryption. Apple actively patched vulnerabilities discovered during its supported lifecycle. However, its current status as an unsupported operating system means it no longer receives crucial security updates. This leaves systems running Yosemite highly susceptible to modern malware, exploits, and privacy breaches, rendering its overall security rating as poor for contemporary use.

Performance & Benchmarks

• Benchmark Scores: A 2012 MacBook Pro Retina (2.7 GHz Intel i7, 16GB RAM) running Yosemite achieved Geekbench 3 scores of approximately 3080 for single-core and 11899 for multi-core performance.
• Real-world Performance Metrics: Generally performs fast on newer hardware. Boot times were slightly slower than Mavericks (around 1 second difference). Some users reported sluggishness, particularly on older Macs, due to the new translucent graphical effects. Conversely, some users noted improved memory and power management compared to Mavericks.
• Power Consumption: Some reports indicate slightly better battery life compared to OS X Mavericks.
• Carbon Footprint: Specific carbon footprint metrics for the OS itself are not available in public data.
• Comparison with Similar Assets:
  • vs. OS X Mavericks: Yosemite introduced a major user interface overhaul, moving from skeuomorphism to a flatter, more modern design. It also brought significant Continuity features for deeper integration with iOS devices. Yosemite is noted for superior memory management and system operations monitoring. While some users experienced performance degradation on older hardware, others found Yosemite to be more efficient in memory and power usage.

Analysis of the Overall Performance Status

OS X Yosemite delivered a visually refreshed experience with new features, particularly the Continuity suite, which enhanced the Apple ecosystem integration. Performance was generally strong on contemporary Mac hardware, with some benchmarks showing marginal improvements over Mavericks. While the redesigned user interface, with its translucent elements, could introduce some graphical overhead and lead to perceived sluggishness on older or less powerful machines, many users reported satisfactory performance and even improved memory and power efficiency compared to its predecessor.

User Reviews & Feedback

User reviews for OS X Yosemite highlight its strengths in design and ecosystem integration, alongside some performance and aesthetic concerns.

• Strengths: Users frequently praise its sleek, beautiful, and revamped user interface, which brought a fresh, modern look to the Mac. The intuitive interface and ease of use are also commonly cited. A major highlight is the "Continuity" feature set, including Handoff, which allows seamless interaction between Mac and iOS devices, such as answering phone calls or SMS messages directly from the Mac. The efficient use of screen real estate and improvements to Mail and Notification Center were also well-received.
• Weaknesses: Early versions faced criticism for Wi-Fi connectivity issues and occasional unreliability of Continuity features. The new system font, Helvetica Neue, was not universally popular, especially on non-Retina displays where some found it less sharp. Some users also reported performance degradation, particularly on older Mac models, attributing it to the graphically demanding translucent effects. Notifications could become overwhelming for some users. A significant drawback in current feedback is its unsupported and outdated status.
• Recommended Use Cases: OS X Yosemite was highly recommended for users deeply integrated into the Apple ecosystem, particularly those with both a Mac and iOS devices, to leverage the Continuity features. It was best suited for users with newer Mac hardware at the time of its release to ensure optimal performance with its updated graphical interface.

Summary

Apple OS X Yosemite (version 10.10) represented a significant evolutionary step for macOS, introducing a major visual redesign with a flatter, more modern aesthetic and emphasizing deeper integration with iOS devices through its "Continuity" features. Released as a free update in October 2014, it offered a refreshed user experience and innovative functionalities like Handoff, allowing users to seamlessly transition tasks and communications between their Mac and iPhone.

The operating system maintained relatively accessible technical requirements, enabling many Macs dating back to 2007 to upgrade. Key security features like Gatekeeper and FileVault 2 provided robust protection for its time. Performance was generally strong on contemporary hardware, with some users noting improvements in memory and power management over its predecessor, OS X Mavericks.

However, Yosemite was not without its drawbacks. Early releases experienced Wi-Fi and networking issues, and the new system font was not universally praised, especially on non-Retina displays. Some older Macs struggled with the graphical demands of the new interface, leading to perceived performance slowdowns. The most critical weakness today is its unsupported status; Apple ceased security updates in November 2015 and official support in August 2017.

In assessment, OS X Yosemite was a pivotal release that modernized the Mac experience and strengthened the Apple ecosystem. Its strengths lay in its innovative features and refreshed design, while its weaknesses included initial bugs and potential performance issues on older hardware. For current enterprise asset management, OS X Yosemite is an outdated and insecure operating system. It is highly recommended that any systems still running OS X Yosemite be upgraded to a currently supported macOS version to mitigate significant security risks and ensure compatibility with modern applications and web standards.

The information provided is based on publicly available data and may vary depending on specific device configurations. For up-to-date information, please consult official manufacturer resources.