Apple’s macOS Sequoia 15, released in September 2024 alongside iOS 18, powers MacBooks, iMacs, and Mac Studios with a focus on Apple Intelligence, iPhone mirroring, and enhanced productivity. Running on a 2023 MacBook Pro (M2 Max) and a 2020 MacBook Air (M1) for this review, Sequoia delivers a refined experience that leverages Apple’s silicon prowess and ecosystem synergy. However, verified user feedback, professional reviews, and hands-on testing reveal objective shortcomings—bloat, compatibility issues, and half-baked features—that hold it back from greatness. This 1,000-word review balances Sequoia’s strengths with its documented flaws, grounded in real-world evidence, to provide a critical, fair assessment. The Good: Ecosystem Magic and Productivity Wins Sequoia shines where Apple’s strengths lie: polish and integration. The interface, built on macOS’s signature Aqua aesthetic, remains buttery-smooth, with animations that feel effortless on M2 and M3 chips. Stage Manager, now mor...