macOS Monterey released tomorrow but is your MacBook compatible?

After a very long wait, macOS Monterey will finally be released to Macs across the world tomorrow, October 25. This upgrade was first announced back in June at Apple’s WWDC Developers Conference and with new MacBook Pros arriving later this week, Apple has clearly decided that this is the perfect time to release its next macOS software upgrade.

There’s no exact word on when all the features will launch but the US technology firm usually pushes things out at around 6pm BST so make sure your MacBook or iMac is switched on, powered up and connected to Wi-Fi around that time if you want to be one of the first to try all the new updates. Sadly, there are some MacBook and iMac users who will miss out on this upgrade as it’s not compatible with a number of older machines. including iMacs made before 2015 and some MacBooks that launched before 2016.

If you want to know if your device will get access to Monterey, here’s a full list of PCs that will work with this upgrade.

iMac
Late 2015 and later

Mac Pro
Late 2013 and later

iMac Pro
2017 and later

Mac mini
Late 2014 and later

MacBook Air
Early 2015 and later

MacBook
Early 2016 and later

MacBook Pro
Early 2015 and later

To find out when your device launched simply head to the Apple menu in the top left-hand corner of the screen and tap “About this Mac”. This will reveal full details including the year the Mac or iMac you are using was released.

If you’re all good to go with Monetery then here are some of the features that will be arriving when you hit the download button.

Perhaps the biggest change in macOS Monterey comes to anyone who spends hours chatting to friends and family via FaceTime.

This popular video calling software gets a complete overhaul with users able to schedule calls, add a Portrait Mode blur effect to the background, minimise the noise of things happening around them and share whatever happens to be on their screens.

Other extras include a new and completely redesigned Safari web browser that’s more streamlined and less cluttered plus a new feature called Tab Groups will offer a new way to easily save and manage tabs and the background of the browser will automatically change to match the website you are visiting.

If you use multiple Apple devices then Universal Control could be hugely useful. This technology basically allows Mac and iPad owners to seamlessly move across devices using one mouse and keyboard without needing to dig into any complicated settings.

If you always feel like you’re getting distracted then the new Focus mode gives you more control over what notifications will appear on the screen.

Some other bonus extras include Quick Notes to help you jot down ideas and Live Text allows you to copy and paste words from a photo right into a document or email. The new Maps upgrade that arrived in iOS 15 last month is also arriving on the Mac with improved directions, stunning 3D views of cities including London and San Francisco and an improved globe that’s much more interactive.

“macOS Monterey is packed with features that help Mac users get more done, connect with friends and family in amazing new ways, and work across Mac and iPad more seamlessly than ever before,” said Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of Software Engineering. “We think our customers are going to love browsing the web with Safari’s new tab design, enjoying shared experiences with SharePlay in FaceTime, and using their Mac and other Apple devices together in new ways with Universal Control and AirPlay to Mac.”