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Apple Seeds macOS Big Sur 11.0.1 Release Candidate to Developers
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"Release canditate" is the new "GM". Apple won't use the "GM" term anymore.
I've been using the Beta on my daily machine since it started. Apart from a few hiccups, it's been very stable/reliable.
I been using it for weeks, very stable. Just forget about Catalina.
In a very short time there will be beta 1st Gen ARM Macs running 1st Gen (beta) Big Sur. A double whammy not for the faint of heart.
Its just strange we are saying that the RC version of Big Sur is available , the developer portal says Big Sur 11.0.1 Beta 2 not RC, I think apple probably messed and was gong to put RC on it since it kind of makes sense since if Big Sur 11.0.1 Beta was released on October 28, and its been a week, and the RC is out and since the Apple event is on Tuesday for Mac announcements I have a feeling that Big Sur will be release on Tuesday
It says "macOS Big Sur 11.0.1 beta 2" with no release notes (yet). So, no mention of it being a RC.
I have no idea why MacRumors is claiming otherwise. Guys?
Mac Rumors bot is over zealous with release candidate being used it seems. 
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I'm a little confused too I think they meant to put RC, but they put Beta 2 instead, or maybe Beta 2 is the RC version since the build number ends with a A
Software Update on the computer itself shows it as a release candidate.
Most likely installed on the new macs they are building. So they just didn't release it to the public.
GM = RTM for Microsoft
GM seed = RC for Microsoft
RC is new name for GM seed, not GM.
Glad I waited. I'm not a beta tester. I don't need to "play" with an OS. I need it to work so I can run my business on it. My only hope (and I'm not expecting much) is the actual people using the public beta reported bugs to Apple rather than only "playing" with Big Sur. If there are a lot of bugs with the GM then the Public Beta testers are 50% to blame.
I'm confused as well. Why is it named as RC in one area, but Beta 2 in another?
Here's a few of my theories for different directions in which this could go.
Theory One
Big Sur 11.0 releases today/tomorrow/Tuesday. 11.0.1 is actually Beta 2, not RC, and once Tuesday's announcement is out, a future Beta 3 will be released, with information about the new AS computers embedded inside it. The RC naming was a mistake.
Theory Two
Big Sur 11.0 comes on new computers with AS only; 11.0.1 is the general release for Intel computers (releasing today/tomorrow/Tuesday); and 11.0.2 or 11.1, or whatever, will bring both AS and Intel together. The RC naming was correct; the Beta 2 naming was a mistake.
Theory Three
11.0.1 is at RC for sure, and will release on Tuesday as 11.0.1, as a slightly higher build, this build containing information about the forthcoming potential AS computers. 11.0 is completely skipped.
I don't know if ANY of those theories will come true, or if any of them are correct, but those are just my wild guesses. Definitely a bit confusing but interesting developments!
Here's a few of my theories for different directions in which this could go.
Theory One
Big Sur 11.0 releases today/tomorrow/Tuesday. 11.0.1 is actually Beta 2, not RC, and once Tuesday's announcement is out, a future Beta 3 will be released, with information about the new AS computers embedded inside it. The RC naming was a mistake.
Theory Two
Big Sur 11.0 comes on new computers with AS only; 11.0.1 is the general release for Intel computers (releasing today/tomorrow/Tuesday); and 11.0.2 or 11.1, or whatever, will bring both AS and Intel together. The RC naming was correct; the Beta 2 naming was a mistake.
Theory Three
11.0.1 is at RC for sure, and will release on Tuesday as 11.0.1, as a slightly higher build, this build containing information about the forthcoming potential AS computers. 11.0 is completely skipped.
I don't know if ANY of those theories will come true, or if any of them are correct, but those are just my wild guesses. Definitely a bit confusing but interesting developments!
Anyone installed this who cares to share a screenshot of their "About This Mac" window?
