Hardware and software made for each other.

Since the software on every Mac is created by the same company that makes the Mac, you get a fully integrated system in which everything works together perfectly. OS X works with the processor in your Mac to deliver the best possible performance. The Multi-Touch trackpad on every Mac notebook gives you more than enough space to pinch, swipe and tap your way around most of the apps on your system. OS X gives you long battery life by dimming the screen in low-light conditions and even regulating processor activity between keystrokes.

Built to perform.

From the desktop you see when you start up your Mac to the applications you use every day, everything is designed to be simple and intuitive. If you’ve used iTunes, you’re already familiar with how simply apps work on a Mac. Of course, making amazing things simple requires some seriously advanced technologies, and OS X is loaded with them. Not only is it built on a rock-solid, time-tested UNIX foundation that provides unparalleled stability, it also delivers incredible performance, stunning graphics and industry-leading support for Internet standards.

Safety. Built right in.

We designed OS X with powerful, advanced technologies that work together to constantly scrutinise, encrypt, update and ultimately keep your Mac safer. For example, it thwarts hackers through a technique called “sandboxing” — restricting what actions programs can perform on your Mac, what files they can access and what other programs they can launch. Sandboxing is just one of the many ways OS X protects you and your data. Other security features include Library Randomization, which prevents malicious commands from finding their targets, and Execute Disable, which protects the memory in your Mac from attacks.

A safer way to download apps.

Innocent-looking apps downloaded over the Internet may contain dangerous malware in disguise. Gatekeeper helps protect you from downloading and installing malicious software on your Mac, no matter where your apps come from. And it gives you even more control over which apps you install.

Stay up to date, automatically.

The best way to protect your Mac is to keep your software up to date, and OS X makes it easier than ever. It unifies software updates for apps in the Mac App Store and updates to OS X. When new updates are available, OS X sends you a notification. Just accept the updates with a click and they download automatically. OS X now checks for new security updates every day, so it’s easy to always have the latest and safest version of OS X.

Protect what’s important.

OS X makes it easier to stay safe online, whether you’re checking your bank account, sending confidential email or sharing files with friends and co-workers. Features such as Password Assistant help you lock out identity thieves who are after personal data, while built-in encryption technologies protect your private information and communications. Safari also uses anti-phishing technology to protect you from fraudulent websites. If you visit a suspicious site, Safari disables the page and displays an alert warning you about its suspect nature. With FileVault 2, your data is safe and secure — even if it falls into the wrong hands. FileVault 2 encrypts the entire drive on your Mac, protecting your data with XTS-AES 128 encryption. Initial encryption is fast and unobtrusive. It can also encrypt any removable drive, helping you secure Time Machine backups or other external drives with ease.

As a parent, you want your kids to have a safe and happy experience on the computer. OS X keeps an eye out even when you can’t. With a simple setup in Parental Controls preferences, you can manage, monitor and control the time your kids spend on the Mac, the sites they visit and the people they chat with.

Imagine never saving ever again.

With OS X Mountain Lion on your Mac, you can say goodbye to losing documents and hours of your time. Auto Save automatically saves your work, while you work, during pauses and every five minutes. And with Versions, Mountain Lion automatically creates a new version of a document every time you open it and every hour while you’re working on it, so you can review the entire history of a document or revert to an earlier version of it at any time. You can even copy and paste between versions.

Set it then forget it.

Every Mac comes with Time Machine: an application that automatically backs up your entire Mac to your external hard drive (sold separately), including system files, applications, accounts, preferences, music, photos, films and documents. But what makes Time Machine different from other backup applications is that it not only keeps a spare copy of every file, it also remembers how your system looked on a given day so you can revisit your Mac as it appeared in the past.

Network minus the work.

If you already have a wired or wireless network, a Mac can connect to it easily. For a wired setup, simply plug an Ethernet cable into your Mac. It should automatically receive the information necessary to establish a connection. If it doesn’t, a helpful setup assistant will guide you through the process painlessly. Connecting to wireless networks is even easier. One click of the AirPort icon in the menu bar gives you a list of available Wi-Fi networks. Just select one, enter a password if required, and you’re up and running. Share files with any computer on your network, browse the web, access work or school servers and files, and get your email. You can also access secure networks with the built-in VPN support.

Hear your way round a Mac.

For those who are blind or have low vision, VoiceOver screen-reading technology that’s part of OS X Mountain Lion enables you to use your computer via spoken descriptions and offers plug-and-play support for braille displays. If you don’t use a screen reader but have trouble reading text on your computer screen, you can have your Mac “speak” the text you select. OS X Mountain Lion also lets you magnify the content on your screen, including the cursor, and adjust the display contrast to white-on-black or black-on-white for better visibility.

See your way round a Mac.

For those who are deaf or hard of hearing, OS X Mountain Lion lets you change system notifications from an audible alert to a visual alert. So if an application needs your attention, instead of playing a tone, Mountain Lion flashes the entire screen. Mountain Lion also supports playback of closed captioning using QuickTime Player and DVD Player applications. And if you communicate using sign language, iMessages and the high-quality video frame rate of the built-in camera make for a great way to stay in touch with anyone, anywhere.

Talk your way round a Mac.

For those who find it difficult to use a mouse, keyboard or trackpad, OS X Mountain Lion features Mouse Keys, Slow Keys, Sticky Keys, an onscreen keyboard, customisable keyboard shortcuts, trackpad gestures and more to help you navigate your Mac. Speakable Items let you control the computer using your voice instead of the keyboard. And your Mac can even help you perform routine tasks by recording your actions as you do them and saving them to use later.

Learn more about accessibility features in Mac OS X