The standout feature of macOS Tahoe is its revamped Spotlight, transformed into a powerhouse for productivity. Replacing Launchpad, Spotlight now serves as a central hub for launching apps, searching files, and performing actions without opening apps. Users can send emails, set timers, create reminders, or start calls directly from the search bar, thanks to new “Actions” functionality. A clipboard history, storing copied items for 24 hours, adds practical utility for multitasking. Quick-access buttons (Command 1 through 4) make navigating Spotlight’s features intuitive, while its enhanced search capabilities deliver faster, more relevant results. For users who rely on quick access to files or tasks, this upgrade significantly boosts efficiency.
Customization Takes Center Stage
macOS Tahoe brings new personalization options, aligning the Mac with the flexibility of iOS 26. The Control Center and menu bar are now fully customizable, allowing users to add, rearrange, or remove controls, including third-party app integrations. Folder icons can sport custom colors and symbols, while app icons offer tinted or “Clear” glass-like appearances, echoing iPhone customization trends. A new Games app consolidates all installed games, even those outside the App Store, with support for PlayStation controller customization. These changes give users more control over their Mac’s look and feel, though some, like the translucent menu bar, can be toggled off for those preferring a classic aesthetic.
Safari’s Evolving Design
Safari in macOS Tahoe has seen iterative improvements through beta testing. Early betas featured a confusing tab design, with non-active tabs underlined and the active tab unmarked, making navigation cumbersome. By the fourth beta, Apple shifted to a color-based system, clearly highlighting the active tab for better usability. The browser also sports a redesigned sidebar and adopts Liquid Glass elements, though these feel less polished than on iOS. While Safari’s updates aim for modernity, they’ve sparked mixed reactions, with some users praising the cleaner look and others finding it less intuitive than previous versions.
Hardware Support and Limitations
macOS Tahoe marks a pivotal shift in Apple’s ecosystem, as it’s the final version to support select Intel-based Macs, including the 2019 MacBook Pro (16-inch), 2020 MacBook Pro (13-inch, four Thunderbolt ports), 2020 iMac (27-inch), and 2019 Mac Pro. All future macOS releases will require Apple Silicon, signaling the end of Intel compatibility. For Apple Silicon Macs, Tahoe runs smoothly, with performance tests on a 15-inch MacBook Air (M4, 16GB RAM) showing faster page loads in Safari 26 compared to Chrome. However, Intel Mac users may face challenges, as some beta updates have been buggy, with issues like inaccessible downloads on Intel hardware.
A Step Forward, But Not Flawless
macOS Tahoe introduces bold changes, from its eye-catching Liquid Glass design to a supercharged Spotlight that redefines productivity. The customization options and new apps like Games and Phone (for Wi-Fi calling) add versatility, but the design overhaul feels incomplete on the Mac. Unlike the iPhone, where Liquid Glass creates a seamless, immersive experience, its Mac implementation lacks polish, with elements that feel tacked on. As Apple refines Tahoe ahead of its September 2025 launch, users can expect further tweaks. For now, Spotlight’s enhancements and customization make Tahoe a compelling update, but those hoping for a fully cohesive design may need to wait for future betas or macOS 27.
