macOS High Sierra Golden Master build drops ahead of September 25 public release

Apple on Thursday released a golden master candidate of macOS High Sierra 10.13 to its registered developers, members of the Apple Developer Program and public beta testers.

A Golden Master (also referred to as a Gold Master or just GM) is a final version of software ready for release to manufacturing. macOS High Sierra 10.13 GM candidate has a build number of 17A362a and can be downloaded to your computer (that is, if you’re a developer or a public beta tester) through the standard Software Update mechanism.

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This is most likely the same version of the software that end users will get to download from App Store when macOS High Sierra releases for public consumption.

High Sierra introduces new core storage, video and graphics technologies and comes, among other things, with an improved Photos app with a new sidebar, precise curve-based editing and support for third-party apps like Pixelmator and Photoshop.

Stock apps like FaceTime, Messages and Notes have received a few subtle refinements, too.

It also brings the new Apple File System to Macs.

macOS High Sierra enables support for High Efficiency Video Codec (also known as H.265) and brings with it an updated version of Metal with support for VR applications and external GPU enclosures, Safari 11 with new anti-tracking features, support for flight status information in Spotlight, more natural voices for Siri and much more.

Apple’s official system requirements for macOS High Sierra are the same as those for the previous release. Specifically, these Mac models are compatible with macOS High Sierra:

  • Late 2009 or newer MacBook or iMac
  • 2010 or newer MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, Mac mini or Mac Pro

macOS High Sierra will release to the public on Monday, September 25.

Will you be updating to High Sierra when it drops or at a later date?

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