our ideas


New OS, New Me

04/11/2014
Michigan Creative
My new desktop

When I found out that there was another update Mac’s operating system last Tuesday night, I was very doubtful that the new version would offer anything new or positive for me; it always seemed to me that chasing trends of having the latest in software, hardware, fashion, and other things would ultimately be more tiresome (and expensive) than rewarding.

After having OS X Yosemite for a week, however, I’m sure that I’ve never been happier with my computer setup.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQ7kqwbqeiI

I have a late 2011 13″ MacBook Pro, but my computer has always been a little behind. I did not, in fact, make the leap to the Mavericks operating system (which became available in October 2013) until just a month ago, and this was to accommodate new software necessary for a class, not a deep-seated desire to stay on the cutting edge.

Since I had just caught up with my many tech-savvy peers in MSU’s College of Communication Arts and Sciences, however, I decided that I might as well keep my finger on the pulse for a moment and get the new (free) upgrade…and I’m sure glad I did.

I’ve heard that keeping things fresh makes you feel better and that definitely proved true for me. The majority of Yosemite’s updates are purely design-based and, while they shocked and annoyed me at first by deviating from my usual setup, the change was for the better.

As a student of design, I can’t help but admire all the subtle changes made to my workspace; the bright, flat icons really pop on my screen and my entire workflow is better now that I’ve cleaned up my desktop and changed the wallpaper. I feel like I’m using a brand new computer!

My new desktop

(The background is a detail from my favorite painting, The Garden of Earthly Delights by Hieronymus Bosch.)

So why not make a change? I will be the first to admit that Yosemite has not changed many technical features of my computer, but the mere style switch-up is well worth it!