Apple surprised the market when it announced that its OS X 10.9 Mavericks will be free for download. Previously, the tech giant sells the operating system along with its updates. Whereas OS Mavericks did not go through a major overhaul like Windows 8, the OS still offers a range of new functions and features. Some of them may be even more valuable to users than initially given credit for.

The OS Mavericks adopted some of features from iOS. For this edition, the Mavericks now include Maps and iBooks. Apple also made sure it enhanced the standard and long-existing features in the Mac OS X like Safari and Calendar. The Safari did not just receive a design overhaul, it also became faster. It now includes a Shared Links feature and additional standards support. The following sections enumerate some great features the OS X 10.9 Mavericks now have.

Multiple Display Support

One of the primary selling points of Windows 8 is the multiple display support feature, where users can see the taskbar on more than one screen as well as stretch the wallpaper across different displays. Apple is now offering the same for OS X Mavericks. Following a similar mechanism that does not need any configuration, the OS X Mavericks now allows a number of monitors to show the menu bars and Dock. The feature also supports HDMI, Thunderbolt and HDTV monitors.

iBooks

Another top biller from the new software is iBooks. It may not be a revolutionary feature but Apple is definitely hinting an evolutionary program. Many users will agree that it is a well-thought program. Similar to the newest iTunes software, iBooks gives users a button allowing them to switch between the store and the library, where there are more than 2 million books to select from.

Users can also search for words and use notes and highlights. The app also allows users to sync their iOS devices and Macs.

Maps

Maps have been included in other operating systems and search engines. Whereas Google maps seem to do everything for people, having a dedicated Maps feature in a Mac has its benefits.

The Maps application offers some real benefits, especially if a you use several Apple devices. The Mac Maps does particularly well in the Apple ecosystem. For example, it allows a user to route trip directions and transfer these from a Mac to an iPhone where a turn-by-turn audio prompt will be available once the user leaves to travel.

Safari 7

Search browsers like Firefox and Chrome often overshadow Apple's browser. With the current OS and its accompanying improvements, the Safari can now compete with similar platforms. The latest version that comes with the Mavericks offers HTML5 compliance. According to a test on HTML5test.com, the browser scored 385. It also comes with an improved Top Sites page to align the design with the iOS 7.

iCloud Keychain

App and Web sign-ins increase by the day. As people use more apps and Web applications, the more they need to consolidate their sign-in credentials. It can be tedious to keep tab of every credential and ensure their safety all the time. The iCloud Keychain offers users a way to secure their passwords and ensure they work across different platforms like iOS devices and Macs. It also spares people from taking note of and remembering their Wi-Fi logins and credit card numbers.

Finder Tabs

For many Mac users, their desktops or OS can become cluttered in an instant, especially with multiple Finder windows. Mavericks finally solves the problem. Each tab now offers a separate view. This means a different column, icon and list. Users can drop and drag files across tabs.

These are just some of the great features users can take advantage of with the new Mavericks system.