Alternatives to Dragon Naturally Speaking for macOS Yosemite Users

Introduction

Many users rely on Dragon Naturally Speaking for their transcription and dictation needs. However, if you're using macOS Yosemite, you may be looking for alternatives due to compatibility issues. This article explores the best options for users who need speech recognition capabilities without the burden of upgrading to a newer OS.

Understanding Compatibility Issues with Yosemite

Most companies no longer support applications running on macOS Yosemite. Specifically, the MacSpeech software, which is a competitor to Dragon Naturally Speaking, may not be fully compatible with the older OS. Therefore, users looking for reliable speech recognition solutions must consider alternatives or upgrade their system.

Testing Options on Compatible macOS Versions

macOS El Capitan offers more support for applications than Yosemite, and it should work on all Yosemite-compatible Macs. Users can still consider upgrading to El Capitan, but it’s important to check compatibility before installing.

High Sierra Compatibility

High Sierra, which follows El Capitan, provides improved dictation features. Here are some Mac models that support High Sierra:

MacBook Late 2009 or newer (Model ID 61) MacBook Pro Mid 2010 or newer (Model ID 61) MacBook Air Late 2010 or newer (Model ID 31) Mac mini Mid 2010 or newer (Model ID 41) iMac Late 2009 or newer (Model ID 101) Mac Pro Mid 2010 or newer (Model ID 51)

For those with Apple silicon Macs, macOS Big Sur and later versions also support Apple’s built-in dictation.

Mojave Compatibility

A few models also support macOS Mojave, which provides better speech recognition capabilities compared to older versions. Here are the compatible models:

MacBook Early 2015 or newer (Model ID 81 or later) MacBook Air Mid 2012 or newer (Model ID 51 or later) MacBook Pro Mid 2012 or newer (Model ID 91 or later) Mac mini Late 2012 or newer (Model ID 61 or later) iMac Late 2012 or newer (Model ID 121 or later) Mac Pro Late 2013 and Mid 2010 and Mid 2012 models with Metal-capable graphics cards (Model ID 51 or later)

The speech recognition on Mojave has become more reliable, but it still requires an internet connection for the best results.

Nuance Modifications for Mojave

Nuance made some modifications to Dragon Naturally Speaking to make it work on macOS Mojave. However, finding a copy of the old software can be challenging as it is not widely available.

Running Windows on Your Mac

For users who still cannot find a suitable solution, running Windows on their Mac through Boot Camp or other virtualization software is a viable option. This approach provides access to a wide range of applications, including Dragon Naturally Speaking, which is more compatible with Windows.

Ultimately, while macOS Yosemite does present challenges for speech recognition users, there are several alternatives and workarounds to consider. Whether it’s upgrading to a newer macOS version, utilizing Apple’s built-in dictation features, or migrating to Windows, there are options available to meet your transcription and dictation needs.